CNC CNC Weight Management & Body Composition 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which method is considered the gold standard for measuring body fat percentage in a clinical setting?
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) (Correct answer)
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)
- Skinfold calipers
- Body mass index (BMI)
Correct answer: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
DEXA is considered the gold standard for body composition assessment because it provides accurate measurements of bone mineral density, lean mass, and fat mass.
Question 2: A certified nutrition coach is working with a client whose BMI is 31. According to standard classifications, this client falls into which category?
- Overweight
- Class I Obesity (Correct answer)
- Class II Obesity
- Normal weight
Correct answer: Class I Obesity
A BMI of 30–34.9 is classified as Class I (moderate) obesity according to standard WHO and CDC guidelines.
Question 3: What is the approximate caloric deficit per week required to lose one pound of body fat?
- 1,750 calories
- 3,500 calories (Correct answer)
- 5,000 calories
- 7,000 calories
Correct answer: 3,500 calories
One pound of adipose tissue contains approximately 3,500 calories, so a 3,500-calorie weekly deficit is the traditional estimate for one pound of fat loss.
Question 4: Which hormone, secreted by adipose tissue, signals satiety to the hypothalamus and decreases appetite?
- Ghrelin
- Cortisol
- Leptin (Correct answer)
- Insulin
Correct answer: Leptin
Leptin is an adipokine that communicates fat-store status to the brain, suppressing appetite when stores are sufficient.
Question 5: When calculating Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE), which component typically accounts for the largest portion of calorie burn?
- Thermic effect of food (TEF)
- Exercise activity thermogenesis (EAT)
- Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT)
- Basal metabolic rate (BMR) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Basal metabolic rate (BMR)
Basal metabolic rate typically represents 60–75% of TDEE, making it the single largest component of daily energy expenditure.
Question 6: A nutrition coach wants to estimate a sedentary female client's BMR using the Mifflin-St Jeor equation. Which variables are required?
- Age, height, weight, and sex (Correct answer)
- Age, height, weight, and activity level
- Weight, sex, and waist circumference
- Height, sex, and body fat percentage
Correct answer: Age, height, weight, and sex
The Mifflin-St Jeor equation uses age (years), height (cm), weight (kg), and sex to calculate BMR without requiring an activity multiplier.
Which method is considered the gold standard for measuring body fat percentage in a clinical setting?