NASM WEIGHT LOSS SPECIALIST Exam
Questions and Answers (2024 /
2025) (Verified Answers)
BMI is determined by dividing body weight in kilograms by which of the following? -
CORRECT ANSWER Height in meters squared.
Which of the following has been associated with the prevalence of obesity? -
CORRECT ANSWER Education Level.
A BMI above what value is considered to be extreme or morbid obesity? - CORRECT
ANSWER 40 kg/m2.
After the age of 20, which of the following age groups has the lowest prevalence of
being overweight? - CORRECT ANSWER 20 to 29 years.
Which of the following is true about the BMI method when classifying obesity in
children? - CORRECT ANSWER It is a good estimate.
Which of the following is a possible reason for childhood obesity? - CORRECT
ANSWER Decreased number of opportunities for activity.
The main cause of excess stored body fat is: - CORRECT ANSWER consuming more
calories than expended.
Which of the following is a main obstacle for the health and fitness professional when it
comes to client's physical activity? - CORRECT ANSWER To teach a client how to
overcome conveniences of modern technology.
Labor-intensive jobs have become limited, and more people spend their time -
CORRECT ANSWER Watching television and/or using a computer for leisure.
Socioeconomic status has an impact on which of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER
The ability to access and afford healthy food choices.
When an individual has diabetes - CORRECT ANSWER the body does not produce or
properly use insulin.
Specific recommendations for clients who have diabetic neuropathy include which of the
following? - CORRECT ANSWER Proper foot care.
,What effect do beta-blockers have on heart rate and blood pressure? - CORRECT
ANSWER Decrease heart rate and decrease blood pressure during exercise.
Obesity is a risk factor for which of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER Increased
low-density lipoprotein.
Narrowing of the vessels that supply blood and oxygen directly to the heart can lead to
which of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER Myocardial infarction.
Which of the following is indicative of high blood pressure? - CORRECT ANSWER
145/95 mm Hg.
Because calcium channel blockers and vasodilators can cause hypotension following
exercise, it is important to have the client using these medications to do which of the
following? - CORRECT ANSWER Complete a cool-down
An individual's total cholesterol levels can be lowered by losing as little as - CORRECT
ANSWER 5 to 10 lb.
Two of the principal traits of the metabolic syndrome in a client who has type 2 diabetes
are which of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER Central obesity and insulin
resistance
An effective way to correct sleep apnea in an obese individual is to - CORRECT
ANSWER decrease body mass.
What is a calorie? - CORRECT ANSWER A unit of heat.
What does the first law of thermodynamics state? - CORRECT ANSWER Total amount
of energy in any isolated
system remains constant and cannot be recreated,
although it may change forms.
What are physiological factors contributing to daily energy expenditure? - CORRECT
ANSWER 1. Thermal effect of food
2. Physical activity
3. Basal metabolic rate
BMR represents up to what percentage of total energy needs? - CORRECT ANSWER
75%
Which are the prediction equations for estimating resting energy expenditure? -
CORRECT ANSWER 1. Harris-Benedict*
2. Mifflin St. Jeor**
3. Owen**
,Harris-Benedict* Equation - CORRECT ANSWER Male: 88.362 + (13.397 x kg) +
(4.799 x cm) - (5.677 x age)
Female: 447.593 + (9.247 x kg) + (3.098 x cm) - (4.33 x age)
Mifflin St. Jeor** - CORRECT ANSWER Male: RMR = 9.99 × weight (kg) + 6.25 ×
height (cm) -
4.92 × age + 5
Female: RMR = 9.99 × weight (kg) + 6.25 × height (cm) -
4.92 × age - 161
Owen** - CORRECT ANSWER Male: RMR = 10.2 x weight (kg) + 879
Female: RMR = 7.18 x weight (kg) + 795
By tracking a client's weight or body fat, the health and fitness professional can
determine - CORRECT ANSWER if the client is eating more than recommended.
The thermal effect of food is estimated to account for what percentage of energy intake?
- CORRECT ANSWER metabolic cost of digesting, absorbing, and transporting
nutrients is at a percentage of 10%.
Satiety refers to which of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER The sensations that
determine the inter-meal period.
According to the set point theory - CORRECT ANSWER Some individuals may have a
naturally higher body weight (set point), making weight loss efforts difficult to sustain;
body weight is maintained at a set level.
What are the operative mechanisms that explains a weight loss plateau? - CORRECT
ANSWER Metabolic efficiency.
Energy Gap Mechanism - CORRECT ANSWER As people lose weight by energy
restriction alone, their total energy expenditure decreases due to a lower energy cost of
moving around a smaller body.
Example of energy gap mechanism - CORRECT ANSWER 200-pound person losing
50 pounds, the individual will need approximately 400 fewer calories to maintain a 150-
pound weight
than the person did at 200 pounds (50 pounds x 8
calories/pound = 400 calories.
Satiation is determined by - CORRECT ANSWER both meal size and duration; feelings
of
satiation will contribute to the cessation of eating,
and a period of abstinence from eating will begin.
, Which of the following is a sign of psychological stresses that should be addressed by a
member of the medical community? - CORRECT ANSWER
Approximately what percentage of U.S. adults are considered overweight or obese? -
CORRECT ANSWER 69%
Superior customer service includes all of the following except which of the following? -
CORRECT ANSWER Remembering important dates
Which of the following assessments best assesses ankle proprioception, core strength,
and hip joint stability? - CORRECT ANSWER Single-leg squat
Which of the following is the minimum BMI classification for morbid obesity? -
CORRECT ANSWER 40
Since the 1960s, the number of children that are considered overweight has -
CORRECT ANSWER tripled.
Which of the following should be the primary base of a marketing strategy? - CORRECT
ANSWER The desires of clients
Which of the following is the acceptable macronutrient distribution range for protein? -
CORRECT ANSWER 10-35%
Which of the following actions should the fitness professional take when uncertain about
a client's questions about nutrition? - CORRECT ANSWER Refer the client to a
registered dietitian.
People who skip breakfast and eat fewer times throughout the day tend to - CORRECT
ANSWER gain more weight than those who eat breakfast and eat smaller meals
throughout the day.
Which of the following is the main cause of excess stored body fat? - CORRECT
ANSWER Calories consumed exceed energy expended
When should a fitness professional refer a client to an eating disorder specialist -
CORRECT ANSWER When a client expresses emotional discomfort about body image
Which of the following is the most common cause of a weight loss plateau? -
CORRECT ANSWER Non-compliance
Which of the following is the acceptable macronutrient distribution range for fat? -
CORRECT ANSWER 20-25%
Nearly what percentage of diabetic cases in the U.S. are type 2? - CORRECT
ANSWER 90-95%
Questions and Answers (2024 /
2025) (Verified Answers)
BMI is determined by dividing body weight in kilograms by which of the following? -
CORRECT ANSWER Height in meters squared.
Which of the following has been associated with the prevalence of obesity? -
CORRECT ANSWER Education Level.
A BMI above what value is considered to be extreme or morbid obesity? - CORRECT
ANSWER 40 kg/m2.
After the age of 20, which of the following age groups has the lowest prevalence of
being overweight? - CORRECT ANSWER 20 to 29 years.
Which of the following is true about the BMI method when classifying obesity in
children? - CORRECT ANSWER It is a good estimate.
Which of the following is a possible reason for childhood obesity? - CORRECT
ANSWER Decreased number of opportunities for activity.
The main cause of excess stored body fat is: - CORRECT ANSWER consuming more
calories than expended.
Which of the following is a main obstacle for the health and fitness professional when it
comes to client's physical activity? - CORRECT ANSWER To teach a client how to
overcome conveniences of modern technology.
Labor-intensive jobs have become limited, and more people spend their time -
CORRECT ANSWER Watching television and/or using a computer for leisure.
Socioeconomic status has an impact on which of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER
The ability to access and afford healthy food choices.
When an individual has diabetes - CORRECT ANSWER the body does not produce or
properly use insulin.
Specific recommendations for clients who have diabetic neuropathy include which of the
following? - CORRECT ANSWER Proper foot care.
,What effect do beta-blockers have on heart rate and blood pressure? - CORRECT
ANSWER Decrease heart rate and decrease blood pressure during exercise.
Obesity is a risk factor for which of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER Increased
low-density lipoprotein.
Narrowing of the vessels that supply blood and oxygen directly to the heart can lead to
which of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER Myocardial infarction.
Which of the following is indicative of high blood pressure? - CORRECT ANSWER
145/95 mm Hg.
Because calcium channel blockers and vasodilators can cause hypotension following
exercise, it is important to have the client using these medications to do which of the
following? - CORRECT ANSWER Complete a cool-down
An individual's total cholesterol levels can be lowered by losing as little as - CORRECT
ANSWER 5 to 10 lb.
Two of the principal traits of the metabolic syndrome in a client who has type 2 diabetes
are which of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER Central obesity and insulin
resistance
An effective way to correct sleep apnea in an obese individual is to - CORRECT
ANSWER decrease body mass.
What is a calorie? - CORRECT ANSWER A unit of heat.
What does the first law of thermodynamics state? - CORRECT ANSWER Total amount
of energy in any isolated
system remains constant and cannot be recreated,
although it may change forms.
What are physiological factors contributing to daily energy expenditure? - CORRECT
ANSWER 1. Thermal effect of food
2. Physical activity
3. Basal metabolic rate
BMR represents up to what percentage of total energy needs? - CORRECT ANSWER
75%
Which are the prediction equations for estimating resting energy expenditure? -
CORRECT ANSWER 1. Harris-Benedict*
2. Mifflin St. Jeor**
3. Owen**
,Harris-Benedict* Equation - CORRECT ANSWER Male: 88.362 + (13.397 x kg) +
(4.799 x cm) - (5.677 x age)
Female: 447.593 + (9.247 x kg) + (3.098 x cm) - (4.33 x age)
Mifflin St. Jeor** - CORRECT ANSWER Male: RMR = 9.99 × weight (kg) + 6.25 ×
height (cm) -
4.92 × age + 5
Female: RMR = 9.99 × weight (kg) + 6.25 × height (cm) -
4.92 × age - 161
Owen** - CORRECT ANSWER Male: RMR = 10.2 x weight (kg) + 879
Female: RMR = 7.18 x weight (kg) + 795
By tracking a client's weight or body fat, the health and fitness professional can
determine - CORRECT ANSWER if the client is eating more than recommended.
The thermal effect of food is estimated to account for what percentage of energy intake?
- CORRECT ANSWER metabolic cost of digesting, absorbing, and transporting
nutrients is at a percentage of 10%.
Satiety refers to which of the following? - CORRECT ANSWER The sensations that
determine the inter-meal period.
According to the set point theory - CORRECT ANSWER Some individuals may have a
naturally higher body weight (set point), making weight loss efforts difficult to sustain;
body weight is maintained at a set level.
What are the operative mechanisms that explains a weight loss plateau? - CORRECT
ANSWER Metabolic efficiency.
Energy Gap Mechanism - CORRECT ANSWER As people lose weight by energy
restriction alone, their total energy expenditure decreases due to a lower energy cost of
moving around a smaller body.
Example of energy gap mechanism - CORRECT ANSWER 200-pound person losing
50 pounds, the individual will need approximately 400 fewer calories to maintain a 150-
pound weight
than the person did at 200 pounds (50 pounds x 8
calories/pound = 400 calories.
Satiation is determined by - CORRECT ANSWER both meal size and duration; feelings
of
satiation will contribute to the cessation of eating,
and a period of abstinence from eating will begin.
, Which of the following is a sign of psychological stresses that should be addressed by a
member of the medical community? - CORRECT ANSWER
Approximately what percentage of U.S. adults are considered overweight or obese? -
CORRECT ANSWER 69%
Superior customer service includes all of the following except which of the following? -
CORRECT ANSWER Remembering important dates
Which of the following assessments best assesses ankle proprioception, core strength,
and hip joint stability? - CORRECT ANSWER Single-leg squat
Which of the following is the minimum BMI classification for morbid obesity? -
CORRECT ANSWER 40
Since the 1960s, the number of children that are considered overweight has -
CORRECT ANSWER tripled.
Which of the following should be the primary base of a marketing strategy? - CORRECT
ANSWER The desires of clients
Which of the following is the acceptable macronutrient distribution range for protein? -
CORRECT ANSWER 10-35%
Which of the following actions should the fitness professional take when uncertain about
a client's questions about nutrition? - CORRECT ANSWER Refer the client to a
registered dietitian.
People who skip breakfast and eat fewer times throughout the day tend to - CORRECT
ANSWER gain more weight than those who eat breakfast and eat smaller meals
throughout the day.
Which of the following is the main cause of excess stored body fat? - CORRECT
ANSWER Calories consumed exceed energy expended
When should a fitness professional refer a client to an eating disorder specialist -
CORRECT ANSWER When a client expresses emotional discomfort about body image
Which of the following is the most common cause of a weight loss plateau? -
CORRECT ANSWER Non-compliance
Which of the following is the acceptable macronutrient distribution range for fat? -
CORRECT ANSWER 20-25%
Nearly what percentage of diabetic cases in the U.S. are type 2? - CORRECT
ANSWER 90-95%
