WGU C458 Health, Fitness and Wellness: (Latest 2026/2027 Update)
Complete Nutrition, Mental Health, Disease Prevention & Lifespan Q&A
| Grade A | 100% Verified Answers – WGU Program
Subject: WGU C458 Health, Fitness and Wellness – Nutrition, Mental Health, Disease Prevention,
Aging, Death & Dying, Pathogens
Source: WGU C458 Comprehensive Curriculum / Evidence-Based Health & Wellness Standards
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale | 100% Verified for NCLEX/HESI & WGU Health
Foundations
1: Nutrition
Correct Answer: provides the body with the nutrients it needs to perform its daily tasks
1. Nutrition encompasses ingestion, absorption, and utilization of food components for energy,
growth, and maintenance.
2. Without adequate nutrition, body systems cannot perform cellular repair, immune function, or
neural transmission.
3. A common misconception is that nutrition only relates to weight; in reality, it affects every
physiological process.
2: Undernutrition
Correct Answer: implies that the individual is not getting enough nutrients. This can occur even if the
person is consuming more than enough calories
1. Undernutrition is a micronutrient deficiency despite adequate or excess calorie intake (e.g.,
"empty calories").
2. Common examples include iron deficiency anemia or vitamin D deficiency in obese
individuals.
3. Overnutrition with undernutrition is paradoxical but clinically significant—calories are not
nutrients.
3: Malnutrition
Correct Answer: an imbalance of proper nutrients
1. Malnutrition includes both undernutrition (deficiencies) and overnutrition (excesses).
2. Imbalance leads to impaired growth, organ dysfunction, and increased disease susceptibility.
3. The term is not limited to starvation; obesity with vitamin deficiency is also malnutrition.
,4: Anorexia nervosa
Correct Answer: literally means loss of appetite, but this is a misnomer: A person with this is hungry, but
denies the hunger because of an irrational fear of becoming fat. Self-starvation, food preoccupation and
rituals, compulsive exercising, and often an absence of menstrual cycles in women. Untreated, can be fatal.
1. Anorexia nervosa has highest mortality of any psychiatric disorder due to medical
complications and suicide.
2. Patients have distorted body image and intense fear of weight gain despite being
underweight.
3. Amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycles) results from hypothalamic suppression due to low body
fat.
5: Bulimia
Correct Answer: characterized by recurring periods of binge eating, during which large amounts of food are
consumed in a short period of time followed by purging (through self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives
and/or diuretics) or periods of fasting
1. Bulimia involves compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain after binges; patients are
typically normal weight.
2. Medical complications include electrolyte imbalances, dental erosion, esophageal tears, and
cardiac arrhythmias.
3. Unlike anorexia, bulimia patients often recognize the behavior as abnormal but feel unable to
stop.
6: Binge eating disorder (BED)
Correct Answer: episodes of binge eating characterized by eating rapidly, eating large amounts of food
even when not feeling hungry, and feeling guilty or depressed after overeating.
1. BED is the most common eating disorder in the US; differs from bulimia by absence of
purging.
2. Associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and significant psychological distress.
3. Guilt and shame after binges are hallmark features, often leading to secretive eating.
7: Obesity
Correct Answer: 15 to 20 percent above normal weight. Poor dietary patterns; include increased intake of
sugars in sweetened soft drinks, foods, and meals of high energy, low nutrient density, and large portion
sizes. At risk for serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and
some types of cancer.
1. Body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m² defines obesity; waist circumference also predicts metabolic
risk.
2. Obesity is a multifactorial disease involving genetics, environment, and behavior.
3. Weight loss of 5-10% significantly reduces cardiovascular and diabetes risk.
,8: Minerals
Correct Answer: inorganic material. Form body parts (teeth and bones), maintain acid-base neutrality,
regulate nerve impulses, osmotic pressure, and electrolyte balance
1. Minerals are inorganic elements essential for structure and function; cannot be synthesized by
the body.
2. Electrolyte balance (sodium, potassium, chloride) is critical for nerve conduction and muscle
contraction.
3. Deficiencies or excesses of minerals cause specific disorders (e.g., hypokalemia,
hypercalcemia).
9: Major minerals
Correct Answer: needed by the body: calcium—milk, cheese, sardines, salmon, green vegetables;
phosphorus—milk, cheese, lean meat; potassium—oranges, bananas, dried fruits; sulfur—eggs, poultry,
fish; sodium—table salt, beef, eggs, cheese; chloride—table salt, meat; magnesium—green vegetables,
whole grains
1. Major minerals (macrominerals) required in amounts >100 mg/day; essential for bone, fluid
balance, and nerve function.
2. Calcium and phosphorus are structural components of hydroxyapatite in bones and teeth.
3. Potassium and sodium work as counterions to maintain membrane potential and blood
pressure regulation.
10: Trace minerals
Correct Answer: required in lesser amounts, and include iron, zinc, selenium, magnesium, copper, iodine,
fluorine, chromium, molybdenum, and manganese
1. Trace minerals (microminerals) required in <100 mg/day but are enzyme cofactors essential
for metabolism.
2. Iron is critical for hemoglobin and oxygen transport; deficiency causes microcytic anemia.
3. Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis; deficiency causes goiter and cretinism.
11: HDL cholesterol (high density lipoproteins)
Correct Answer: protect the body against heart disease. Often called "good" cholesterol.
1. HDL transports excess cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver for excretion
(reverse cholesterol transport).
2. High HDL levels (>60 mg/dL) are cardioprotective; low HDL (<40 mg/dL) is a risk factor.
3. Exercise, moderate alcohol, and healthy fats (olive oil, nuts) raise HDL.
, 12: LDL cholesterol (low density lipoproteins)
Correct Answer: most cholesterol in the blood is of this type. Often referred to as the bad cholesterol. high
levels in the blood increases the risk of fatty deposits forming in the arteries, which in turn increases the risk
of a heart attack
1. LDL delivers cholesterol to peripheral tissues; oxidized LDL is taken up by macrophages
forming foam cells in arterial plaques.
2. Elevated LDL is a major modifiable risk factor for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
3. Statins reduce LDL and cardiovascular events by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase.
13: Lipoproteins
Correct Answer: large molecules of fat and protein in the bloodstream; how cholesterol is transported
1. Lipoproteins consist of a hydrophobic core (triglycerides, cholesterol esters) and hydrophilic
surface (phospholipids, apoproteins).
2. Classes include chylomicrons, VLDL, IDL, LDL, and HDL; each has distinct density and function.
3. Apoproteins act as ligands for receptor recognition and enzyme activation.
14: Antioxidants
Correct Answer: slow the aging process. Reduce cellular damage by binding with free radicals produced
during oxidation reactions
1. Antioxidants (vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, selenium) neutralize free radicals by donating
electrons without becoming destabilized.
2. Oxidative stress contributes to aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative
disorders.
3. Dietary sources include berries, dark chocolate, nuts, and green leafy vegetables.
15: Oxidation reactions
Correct Answer: the energy-yielding reactions in which either an oxygen atom adds an electron to or a
hydrogen atom removes an electron from a substrate (a group of atoms or molecule)—the net result is a
substrate that has had a partial or complete loss of a negatively charged particle, an electron. Two partially
charged atoms or groups of atoms, one positively charged and the other negatively charged, now exist
1. Oxidation is loss of electrons; reduction is gain of electrons (OIL RIG).
2. Cellular respiration involves oxidation of glucose to CO2 and reduction of O2 to water.
3. Controlled oxidation releases energy; uncontrolled oxidation produces damaging free radicals.
Complete Nutrition, Mental Health, Disease Prevention & Lifespan Q&A
| Grade A | 100% Verified Answers – WGU Program
Subject: WGU C458 Health, Fitness and Wellness – Nutrition, Mental Health, Disease Prevention,
Aging, Death & Dying, Pathogens
Source: WGU C458 Comprehensive Curriculum / Evidence-Based Health & Wellness Standards
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale | 100% Verified for NCLEX/HESI & WGU Health
Foundations
1: Nutrition
Correct Answer: provides the body with the nutrients it needs to perform its daily tasks
1. Nutrition encompasses ingestion, absorption, and utilization of food components for energy,
growth, and maintenance.
2. Without adequate nutrition, body systems cannot perform cellular repair, immune function, or
neural transmission.
3. A common misconception is that nutrition only relates to weight; in reality, it affects every
physiological process.
2: Undernutrition
Correct Answer: implies that the individual is not getting enough nutrients. This can occur even if the
person is consuming more than enough calories
1. Undernutrition is a micronutrient deficiency despite adequate or excess calorie intake (e.g.,
"empty calories").
2. Common examples include iron deficiency anemia or vitamin D deficiency in obese
individuals.
3. Overnutrition with undernutrition is paradoxical but clinically significant—calories are not
nutrients.
3: Malnutrition
Correct Answer: an imbalance of proper nutrients
1. Malnutrition includes both undernutrition (deficiencies) and overnutrition (excesses).
2. Imbalance leads to impaired growth, organ dysfunction, and increased disease susceptibility.
3. The term is not limited to starvation; obesity with vitamin deficiency is also malnutrition.
,4: Anorexia nervosa
Correct Answer: literally means loss of appetite, but this is a misnomer: A person with this is hungry, but
denies the hunger because of an irrational fear of becoming fat. Self-starvation, food preoccupation and
rituals, compulsive exercising, and often an absence of menstrual cycles in women. Untreated, can be fatal.
1. Anorexia nervosa has highest mortality of any psychiatric disorder due to medical
complications and suicide.
2. Patients have distorted body image and intense fear of weight gain despite being
underweight.
3. Amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycles) results from hypothalamic suppression due to low body
fat.
5: Bulimia
Correct Answer: characterized by recurring periods of binge eating, during which large amounts of food are
consumed in a short period of time followed by purging (through self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives
and/or diuretics) or periods of fasting
1. Bulimia involves compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain after binges; patients are
typically normal weight.
2. Medical complications include electrolyte imbalances, dental erosion, esophageal tears, and
cardiac arrhythmias.
3. Unlike anorexia, bulimia patients often recognize the behavior as abnormal but feel unable to
stop.
6: Binge eating disorder (BED)
Correct Answer: episodes of binge eating characterized by eating rapidly, eating large amounts of food
even when not feeling hungry, and feeling guilty or depressed after overeating.
1. BED is the most common eating disorder in the US; differs from bulimia by absence of
purging.
2. Associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and significant psychological distress.
3. Guilt and shame after binges are hallmark features, often leading to secretive eating.
7: Obesity
Correct Answer: 15 to 20 percent above normal weight. Poor dietary patterns; include increased intake of
sugars in sweetened soft drinks, foods, and meals of high energy, low nutrient density, and large portion
sizes. At risk for serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and
some types of cancer.
1. Body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m² defines obesity; waist circumference also predicts metabolic
risk.
2. Obesity is a multifactorial disease involving genetics, environment, and behavior.
3. Weight loss of 5-10% significantly reduces cardiovascular and diabetes risk.
,8: Minerals
Correct Answer: inorganic material. Form body parts (teeth and bones), maintain acid-base neutrality,
regulate nerve impulses, osmotic pressure, and electrolyte balance
1. Minerals are inorganic elements essential for structure and function; cannot be synthesized by
the body.
2. Electrolyte balance (sodium, potassium, chloride) is critical for nerve conduction and muscle
contraction.
3. Deficiencies or excesses of minerals cause specific disorders (e.g., hypokalemia,
hypercalcemia).
9: Major minerals
Correct Answer: needed by the body: calcium—milk, cheese, sardines, salmon, green vegetables;
phosphorus—milk, cheese, lean meat; potassium—oranges, bananas, dried fruits; sulfur—eggs, poultry,
fish; sodium—table salt, beef, eggs, cheese; chloride—table salt, meat; magnesium—green vegetables,
whole grains
1. Major minerals (macrominerals) required in amounts >100 mg/day; essential for bone, fluid
balance, and nerve function.
2. Calcium and phosphorus are structural components of hydroxyapatite in bones and teeth.
3. Potassium and sodium work as counterions to maintain membrane potential and blood
pressure regulation.
10: Trace minerals
Correct Answer: required in lesser amounts, and include iron, zinc, selenium, magnesium, copper, iodine,
fluorine, chromium, molybdenum, and manganese
1. Trace minerals (microminerals) required in <100 mg/day but are enzyme cofactors essential
for metabolism.
2. Iron is critical for hemoglobin and oxygen transport; deficiency causes microcytic anemia.
3. Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis; deficiency causes goiter and cretinism.
11: HDL cholesterol (high density lipoproteins)
Correct Answer: protect the body against heart disease. Often called "good" cholesterol.
1. HDL transports excess cholesterol from peripheral tissues back to the liver for excretion
(reverse cholesterol transport).
2. High HDL levels (>60 mg/dL) are cardioprotective; low HDL (<40 mg/dL) is a risk factor.
3. Exercise, moderate alcohol, and healthy fats (olive oil, nuts) raise HDL.
, 12: LDL cholesterol (low density lipoproteins)
Correct Answer: most cholesterol in the blood is of this type. Often referred to as the bad cholesterol. high
levels in the blood increases the risk of fatty deposits forming in the arteries, which in turn increases the risk
of a heart attack
1. LDL delivers cholesterol to peripheral tissues; oxidized LDL is taken up by macrophages
forming foam cells in arterial plaques.
2. Elevated LDL is a major modifiable risk factor for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
3. Statins reduce LDL and cardiovascular events by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase.
13: Lipoproteins
Correct Answer: large molecules of fat and protein in the bloodstream; how cholesterol is transported
1. Lipoproteins consist of a hydrophobic core (triglycerides, cholesterol esters) and hydrophilic
surface (phospholipids, apoproteins).
2. Classes include chylomicrons, VLDL, IDL, LDL, and HDL; each has distinct density and function.
3. Apoproteins act as ligands for receptor recognition and enzyme activation.
14: Antioxidants
Correct Answer: slow the aging process. Reduce cellular damage by binding with free radicals produced
during oxidation reactions
1. Antioxidants (vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, selenium) neutralize free radicals by donating
electrons without becoming destabilized.
2. Oxidative stress contributes to aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative
disorders.
3. Dietary sources include berries, dark chocolate, nuts, and green leafy vegetables.
15: Oxidation reactions
Correct Answer: the energy-yielding reactions in which either an oxygen atom adds an electron to or a
hydrogen atom removes an electron from a substrate (a group of atoms or molecule)—the net result is a
substrate that has had a partial or complete loss of a negatively charged particle, an electron. Two partially
charged atoms or groups of atoms, one positively charged and the other negatively charged, now exist
1. Oxidation is loss of electrons; reduction is gain of electrons (OIL RIG).
2. Cellular respiration involves oxidation of glucose to CO2 and reduction of O2 to water.
3. Controlled oxidation releases energy; uncontrolled oxidation produces damaging free radicals.
