WGU D440: HEALTH & WELNESS OA NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
FOCUS EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (2026/2027)
Q1 What are the three primary macronutrients?
A Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats (lipids).
Q2 How many calories does 1 gram of carbohydrate provide?
A 4 calories per gram.
Q3 How many calories does 1 gram of protein provide?
A 4 calories per gram.
Q4 How many calories does 1 gram of fat provide?
A 9 calories per gram.
Q5 What is the AMDR for carbohydrates?
A 45–65% of total daily calories.
Q6 What is the AMDR for protein?
A 10–35% of total daily calories.
Q7 What is the AMDR for fat?
A 20–35% of total daily calories.
Q8 What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the body?
To serve as the body's preferred and most efficient energy source, especially
A
for the brain and muscles during exercise.
Q9 What is glycogen?
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,A The storage form of glucose found in the liver and muscles.
Q10 What is the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates?
Simple carbohydrates are sugars (mono- and disaccharides) that digest
A quickly; complex carbohydrates are starches and fiber (polysaccharides) that
digest more slowly.
Q11 What are the essential amino acids?
The nine amino acids the body cannot synthesize: histidine, isoleucine,
A
leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
Q12 What is a complete protein?
A protein that contains all nine essential amino acids in adequate amounts
A
(e.g., meat, fish, eggs, dairy, quinoa, soy).
Q13 What is nitrogen balance and why does it matter?
Nitrogen balance compares nitrogen intake (protein consumption) to nitrogen
A loss (urine, feces, sweat). Positive balance indicates muscle building; negative
balance indicates muscle breakdown.
Q14 What are saturated fats and their primary food sources?
Fats with no double bonds between carbon atoms; found mainly in animal
A
products (butter, lard, fatty meats) and tropical oils (coconut, palm).
Q15 What are trans fats and why are they harmful?
Artificially hydrogenated fats found in processed foods that raise LDL
A
cholesterol, lower HDL cholesterol, and increase cardiovascular disease risk.
Q16 What are omega-3 fatty acids and their health benefits?
Polyunsaturated fats (EPA, DHA, ALA) found in fatty fish, flaxseed, and
A
walnuts that reduce inflammation, support heart health, and aid brain function.
Q17 What is dietary fiber and what are the two types?
Non-digestible plant carbohydrates. Soluble fiber dissolves in water (oats,
A beans, apples) and lowers cholesterol; insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool (whole
grains, vegetables).
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,Q18 What is the RDA for dietary fiber for adult men and women?
38 g/day for men under 50 and 25 g/day for women under 50 (AI values from
A
the DRI).
Q19 What is the role of insulin in carbohydrate metabolism?
Insulin is released by the pancreas in response to rising blood glucose and
A
facilitates cellular uptake of glucose for energy or storage as glycogen/fat.
Q20 What happens during gluconeogenesis?
The liver synthesizes new glucose from non-carbohydrate sources (amino
A
acids, glycerol, lactate) to maintain blood glucose levels during fasting.
Q21 What is the difference between refined and unrefined carbohydrates?
Refined carbohydrates have been processed to remove bran and germ (white
A bread, white rice), stripping fiber and nutrients; unrefined retain all parts of the
grain (whole wheat, brown rice).
Q22 What is the role of cholesterol in the body?
Structural component of cell membranes, precursor for steroid hormones
A
(estrogen, testosterone, cortisol), bile acids, and Vitamin D synthesis.
Q23 What are phospholipids?
A type of lipid that forms the bilayer structure of cell membranes; also
A
important for emulsification of dietary fat and found in egg yolks and soybeans.
Q24 What is the role of fat in the body beyond energy storage?
Fat provides insulation, protects organs, enables fat-soluble vitamin
A absorption, supports cell membrane structure, and is a precursor for hormones
and eicosanoids.
Q25 What is lactose intolerance?
Inability to digest lactose (milk sugar) due to insufficient lactase enzyme;
A causes bloating, gas, and diarrhea after dairy consumption; managed by
limiting dairy or using lactase supplements.
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, Q26 What is ketosis?
A metabolic state where the liver produces ketone bodies from fat as an
A alternative fuel when carbohydrate intake is severely restricted; used in
ketogenic diet and occurs during prolonged fasting.
Q27 What are the signs of protein deficiency?
Muscle wasting, edema (fluid accumulation), weakened immune function, poor
A
wound healing, fatigue, and growth retardation in children (kwashiorkor).
Micronutrients
Q28 What are the fat-soluble vitamins?
A Vitamins A, D, E, and K — stored in body fat and the liver.
Q29 What are the water-soluble vitamins?
Vitamin C and the eight B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6, folate, B12,
A
biotin, pantothenic acid).
Q30 What is the primary function of Vitamin D?
Regulates calcium and phosphorus absorption to support bone mineralization;
A
also supports immune function.
Q31 What disease is caused by Vitamin D deficiency in children?
A Rickets — characterized by soft, weakened, and deformed bones.
Q32 What is the role of Vitamin C in the body?
Antioxidant, collagen synthesis, enhances iron absorption, and supports
A
immune function.
Q33 What disease results from Vitamin C deficiency?
A Scurvy — characterized by bleeding gums, poor wound healing, and fatigue.
Q34 What is the role of folate in pregnancy?
WGU D440 Study Guide | Page 4 of 33
FOCUS EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (2026/2027)
Q1 What are the three primary macronutrients?
A Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats (lipids).
Q2 How many calories does 1 gram of carbohydrate provide?
A 4 calories per gram.
Q3 How many calories does 1 gram of protein provide?
A 4 calories per gram.
Q4 How many calories does 1 gram of fat provide?
A 9 calories per gram.
Q5 What is the AMDR for carbohydrates?
A 45–65% of total daily calories.
Q6 What is the AMDR for protein?
A 10–35% of total daily calories.
Q7 What is the AMDR for fat?
A 20–35% of total daily calories.
Q8 What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the body?
To serve as the body's preferred and most efficient energy source, especially
A
for the brain and muscles during exercise.
Q9 What is glycogen?
WGU D440 Study Guide | Page 1 of 33
,A The storage form of glucose found in the liver and muscles.
Q10 What is the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates?
Simple carbohydrates are sugars (mono- and disaccharides) that digest
A quickly; complex carbohydrates are starches and fiber (polysaccharides) that
digest more slowly.
Q11 What are the essential amino acids?
The nine amino acids the body cannot synthesize: histidine, isoleucine,
A
leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
Q12 What is a complete protein?
A protein that contains all nine essential amino acids in adequate amounts
A
(e.g., meat, fish, eggs, dairy, quinoa, soy).
Q13 What is nitrogen balance and why does it matter?
Nitrogen balance compares nitrogen intake (protein consumption) to nitrogen
A loss (urine, feces, sweat). Positive balance indicates muscle building; negative
balance indicates muscle breakdown.
Q14 What are saturated fats and their primary food sources?
Fats with no double bonds between carbon atoms; found mainly in animal
A
products (butter, lard, fatty meats) and tropical oils (coconut, palm).
Q15 What are trans fats and why are they harmful?
Artificially hydrogenated fats found in processed foods that raise LDL
A
cholesterol, lower HDL cholesterol, and increase cardiovascular disease risk.
Q16 What are omega-3 fatty acids and their health benefits?
Polyunsaturated fats (EPA, DHA, ALA) found in fatty fish, flaxseed, and
A
walnuts that reduce inflammation, support heart health, and aid brain function.
Q17 What is dietary fiber and what are the two types?
Non-digestible plant carbohydrates. Soluble fiber dissolves in water (oats,
A beans, apples) and lowers cholesterol; insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool (whole
grains, vegetables).
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,Q18 What is the RDA for dietary fiber for adult men and women?
38 g/day for men under 50 and 25 g/day for women under 50 (AI values from
A
the DRI).
Q19 What is the role of insulin in carbohydrate metabolism?
Insulin is released by the pancreas in response to rising blood glucose and
A
facilitates cellular uptake of glucose for energy or storage as glycogen/fat.
Q20 What happens during gluconeogenesis?
The liver synthesizes new glucose from non-carbohydrate sources (amino
A
acids, glycerol, lactate) to maintain blood glucose levels during fasting.
Q21 What is the difference between refined and unrefined carbohydrates?
Refined carbohydrates have been processed to remove bran and germ (white
A bread, white rice), stripping fiber and nutrients; unrefined retain all parts of the
grain (whole wheat, brown rice).
Q22 What is the role of cholesterol in the body?
Structural component of cell membranes, precursor for steroid hormones
A
(estrogen, testosterone, cortisol), bile acids, and Vitamin D synthesis.
Q23 What are phospholipids?
A type of lipid that forms the bilayer structure of cell membranes; also
A
important for emulsification of dietary fat and found in egg yolks and soybeans.
Q24 What is the role of fat in the body beyond energy storage?
Fat provides insulation, protects organs, enables fat-soluble vitamin
A absorption, supports cell membrane structure, and is a precursor for hormones
and eicosanoids.
Q25 What is lactose intolerance?
Inability to digest lactose (milk sugar) due to insufficient lactase enzyme;
A causes bloating, gas, and diarrhea after dairy consumption; managed by
limiting dairy or using lactase supplements.
WGU D440 Study Guide | Page 3 of 33
, Q26 What is ketosis?
A metabolic state where the liver produces ketone bodies from fat as an
A alternative fuel when carbohydrate intake is severely restricted; used in
ketogenic diet and occurs during prolonged fasting.
Q27 What are the signs of protein deficiency?
Muscle wasting, edema (fluid accumulation), weakened immune function, poor
A
wound healing, fatigue, and growth retardation in children (kwashiorkor).
Micronutrients
Q28 What are the fat-soluble vitamins?
A Vitamins A, D, E, and K — stored in body fat and the liver.
Q29 What are the water-soluble vitamins?
Vitamin C and the eight B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6, folate, B12,
A
biotin, pantothenic acid).
Q30 What is the primary function of Vitamin D?
Regulates calcium and phosphorus absorption to support bone mineralization;
A
also supports immune function.
Q31 What disease is caused by Vitamin D deficiency in children?
A Rickets — characterized by soft, weakened, and deformed bones.
Q32 What is the role of Vitamin C in the body?
Antioxidant, collagen synthesis, enhances iron absorption, and supports
A
immune function.
Q33 What disease results from Vitamin C deficiency?
A Scurvy — characterized by bleeding gums, poor wound healing, and fatigue.
Q34 What is the role of folate in pregnancy?
WGU D440 Study Guide | Page 4 of 33
