ACE Health Coach Practice Questions and Answers 2025

ACE Health Coach Practice Questions and Answers 2025 Which of the following aptitudes related to health improvement involves creating a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness to life? a. The ability to enjoy b. The ability to choose c. The ability to keep developing d. The ability to see meaning - Correct Ans-C From a coaching perspective, what is often a major limitation for client success? a. A client's inner critical voice b. A client's listening skills c. A client's lack of knowledge d. A client's schedule - Correct Ans-A Which of the following terms represents the ability to recognize one's own feelings, as well as the feelings of others? a. Psychological intelligence b. Emotional intelligence c. Behavioral intelligence d. Interpersonal intelligence - Correct Ans-B Which of the following components of emotional intelligence involves understanding the emotions, needs, and concerns of others? a. Self-awareness b. Self-regulation c. Empathy d. Social skills - Correct Ans-C Jason is a successful health coach who enjoys a very full schedule working with a variety of clients. When asked about why they think Jason is so good at his job, his clients often report that Jason communicates clearly, makes them feel like they are part of a cooperative team, and inspires them to work hard. These characteristics describe which competency within the arena of emotional intelligence? a. Self-awareness b. Self-regulation c. Empathy d. Social skills - Correct Ans-D ACE ACE When Susan meets with her health coach, Matthew, she appreciates how Matthew summarizes what she says and then asks if there is anything that was misunderstood in his summary. What communication skill is Matthew using in this situation? a. Active listening b. Motivational interviewing c. Positive listening d. Empathetic questioning - Correct Ans-A If a client perceives changing his or her eating habits as unbearable because of the feeling of having to give everything up at once, he or she is likely suffering from a type of cognitive style called _______________. a. Full-preference thinking b. Dissociative disorder c. Neuro-linguistic programming d. Absolutistic demanding - Correct Ans-D Which of the following fields of practice is most similar to what health coaches offer to clients in their services? a. Personal/life coaching b. Family counseling c. Sports performance coaching d. Behavioural counselling - Correct Ans-A Which response best describes a health coach's role in facilitating behavioral change? a. A health coach directs the behavior to be changed b. A health coach develops the plan of action for change c. A health coach creates the environment to foster change d. A health coach manages the rewards and consequences as a result of change - Correct Ans-C If a client has an uncontrolled chronic condition (such as diabetes) or a history of diet failures or weight-cycling, a referral to which of the following healthcare professionals would be most appropriate? a. Registered dietitian b. Licensed behavioral specialist c. Nutritionist d. Occupational therapist - Correct Ans-A Renee is a health coach who works with many clients who have chronic health conditions. She communicates regularly with her clients' physicians to keep them informed of their progress in her programs. In her communications, Renee is careful to document client measurements and any noticeable symptoms, which are characteristics of what element of the SOAP note? a. Subjective b. Objective c. Assessment ACE ACE d. Plan - Correct Ans-B If, for whatever reason, the client-health coach relationship must be discontinued, which of the following responses represents the best exit strategy for the health coach? a. Hiring a lawyer to communicate with the client that the business relationship is no longer tenable for the parties b. Stating upfront that if certain landmarks are not achieved within a particular agreed upon timeframe, the relationship may need to be terminated c. Providing a full refund for any services rendered to the client in exchange for future referrals to the health coach's business d. Recommending that the client seek his or her own professional help elsewhere due to an inability to resolve conflict - Correct Ans-B Knowing your own capabilities, having integrity, taking responsibility for results, and having a clear intent are components of what kind of trust when developing the foundation of a relationship? a. Relationship trust b. Self-trust c. Character trust d. Rapport trust - Correct Ans-B Which of the following communication components involves creating a carefully constructed message so that the intent of the communication is understood? a. Planning b. Encoding c. Decoding d. Offering feedback - Correct Ans-B Tory is a new client who enjoys helping others and is not comfortable making quick decisions. During your initial interview with Tory, she reveals that she is very focused on her relationships with her family and friends and that she spends much of her free time helping them in various ways. Which personality type best describes Tory? a. Dominant b. Cautious c. Inspiring d. Supportive - Correct Ans-D Abbey is a research scientist at a chemical company. Upon hiring a health coach to help her manage her weight and improve her eating habits, she explains that she is skeptical of most weight-loss programs and would like to see any peer-reviewed research that supports the health coach's recommendations. Which personality type best describes Abbey? a. Dominant b. Cautious c. Inspiring d. Supportive - Correct Ans-B ACE ACE According to early research on factors involved when conveying a message, approximately what total percentage of the message communicated is made up of nonverbal language? a. 17 b. 38 c. 55 d. 90 - Correct Ans-D During the initial goal-setting process, Danny asks his client, Sarah, the following questions: "How have things changed for you because of your weight? What do you believe will happen if you continue as you are now? If things were to improve, what needs to be different? What do you believe are the costs of changing and the benefits of changing?" What type of investigatory technique is Danny using to evoke thoughtful responses from Sarah? a. Motivational interviewing b. Funnel-type questioning c. Empathetic interviewing d. Leading questioning - Correct Ans-A When health coaches encourage clients to engage in regular physical activity, make healthy nutrition choices, and properly manage emotional stress, they are facilitating a reduced risk of _______________. a. Behavioral relapses b. Musculoskeletal injuries c. Nutritional deficiencies d. Hypokinetic diseases - Correct Ans-D Within the medical fitness field's continuum of care, at what point does the health coach typically begin to work with a client? a. Before the client receives any medical attention b. When the client initiates primary care with a physician c. During the period when the client is seeing a physical therapist d. When the client is ready for post-rehabilitation or post-medical care services - Correct Ans-D Which of the following factors of operant conditioning heavily influences behavioral outcomes and occurs after a behavior is executed? a. Antecedents b. Response consequences c. Stimulus control d. Social support - Correct Ans-B The cornerstone of cognitive behavioral therapy is that a client's ____________ determine how he or she behaves, not the external events that actually take place. a. Actions ACE ACE b. Demographics c. Attitudes d. Beliefs - Correct Ans-D Jim has been hearing a lot from his friend, Mike, about Mike's new health coach. Currently, Jim engages in a sporadic walk, or even a visit to the gym, but he is very inconsistent with physical activity. Jim often asks Mike about specifics for creating his own plan. Mike suggests that Jim set up an appointment with his health coach to investigate weight-loss programs, health clubs, and planning how a diet and/or exercise program can fit into his lifestyle and schedule. Jim tells Mike he will arrange to meet with Mike's health coach. In what stage of change is Jim? a. Precontemplation b. Contemplation c. Preparation d. Action - Correct Ans-C During a brief encounter at a health fair where Elizabeth is promoting her services as a health coach, she asks her potential new client, Jack, "On a scale of 1 to 10, how ready do you believe you are to make this change or adopt this healthy behavior?" Jack answers, "I'd say about a 3." Based on his answer, in which stage of change would you categorize Jack? a. Precontemplation b. Contemplation c. Preparation d. Action - Correct Ans-A Which of the following strategies would be most appropriate for a client who has been working on incorporating physical activity into his lifestyle and has made it to the maintenance stage of behavior change? a. Plan for potential lapses b. Reiterate the long-term benefits of adherence c. Explain and personalize the inherent risks of physical activity d. Help the client identify social support - Correct Ans-A _______________ can act as both a determinant and an outcome of behavioral change. a. Self-determination b. Self-esteem c. Self-efficacy d. Self-confidence - Correct Ans-C Before shopping, Jessica makes a grocery list and avoids purchasing non-listed items, with the intent that if poor quality food is not in the house, it will not be eaten. Jessica is using which of the following strategies to facilitate healthy eating? a. Shaping b. Stimulus control ACE ACE c. Goal-setting d. Extrinsic feedback - Correct Ans-B When Jack was in elementary school, he participated in physical education activities only because he had to, simply to avoid punishment. Today, Jack has a career as a health coach and participates in daily exercise because he truly enjoys the way it makes him feel while he is doing it. Which of the following types of motivation best describes Jack's physical-activity experiences when he was a child? a. Integrated regulation b. Identified regulation c. Introjected regulation d. External regulation - Correct Ans-D Paul, a very busy accountant, has a goal of incorporating exercise into his daily schedule. When tax season approaches, Paul knows his schedule will become even more hectic and as each day wears on, his work-related list of responsibilities typically gets longer. Based on available research conducted on the topic of self-control, which of the following responses would be the best approach to help Paul stick to his exercise plan? a. Plan to block out the lunch hour and reserve it for daily workouts b. Schedule daily workouts at the fitness center on the way home from work c. Plan to fit in "mini" exercise sessions between meetings with clients throughout the day d. Schedule daily morning exercise sessions, before the workday starts - Correct Ans-D Which of the following statements is least accurate regarding an individual's self control? a. Self-control is a limited resource b. The force of habit requires a high level self-control c. Coping with stress requires a certain level of self-control d. Self-control appears to be renewed daily - Correct Ans-B _______________ is the most common reason that people abandon their plans to change behavior. a. A busy schedule b. Stress c. Depression d. Lack of knowledge - Correct Ans-B Which of the following lifestyle-modification strategies deals specifically with helping clients achieve success early in their programs by setting realistic goals that they can reasonably accomplish? a. Strengthen autonomous motivation to change b. Increase readiness to change c. Encourage clients to modify environmental cues d. Look for ways to increase self-efficacy - Correct Ans-D ACE ACE Janna has said in the past, "I must be perfect in my weight-control behaviors." Recently, she has been guided by a health coach to rephrase such thoughts as, "Nobody is perfect. I am making improvements in several areas, such as drinking more water and stretching daily, and I am getting healthier and stronger every day." What behavior modification technique did the health coach use in this instance? a. Problem-solving b. Self-assessment c. Cognitive restructuring d. Negative mood management - Correct Ans-C In which stage of behavior change do clients experience the highest levels of self efficacy, and thus self-reliance? a. Contemplation b. Preparation c. Action d. Maintenance - Correct Ans-D Within which of the following spheres of the social-ecological model does a health coach have the most influence over his or her clients? a. Community b. School c. Interpersonal d. Individual - Correct Ans-C Patricia realizes that for her client, Rick, to feel motivated he needs to experience a connection with other people with similar interests. Thus, Patricia identifies other people in the fitness center where she works who are interested in the same kind of walking program that Rick is. Ultimately, she helps to form a walking club on the weekends for Rick and the other members. This is an example of which strategy for establishing self reliance in clients? a. Establish self-efficacy through goal-setting b. Encourage clients to practice behaviors on their own c. Help clients find and implement a support system d. Help clients create or maintain an environment that fosters success - Correct Ans-C Todd has hired Matt as his health coach to help him make better nutrition choices. Todd confided in Matt that he often finds himself snacking on junk food during the workday and while at home watching television. Which of the following approaches would be the most appropriate first step for Matt to suggest to help Todd create an environment that fosters success? a. Ask Todd to identify those places or cues that encourage unhealthy behaviors by taking an inventory of his home and workspace b. Recommend that Todd to throw out all of his junk food he has stored at work and at home ACE ACE c. Suggest that Todd place a note that says "get up and walk" on his refrigerator at home d. Educate Todd about healthy snaking versus eating junk food and ask him to keep a food log for one week - Correct Ans-A A primary difference between disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides is _______________. a. The number of sugar compounds linked together that make up the molecule b. The number of calories per gram of the carbohydrate in which the molecule is found c. That each different molecule is found in different types of caloric sweeteners d. That each different molecule is found in different types of non-caloric sweeteners - Correct Ans-A Why do food manufacturers tend to favor high-fructose corn syrup over other types of caloric sweeteners for use in their products? a. Decreased cost of production b. Increased feelings of satiety c. Reduced risk of insulin resistance d. Decreased amount of "empty calories" - Correct Ans-A Which of the following terms represents a positive nitrogen balance, in which the body produces more protein than it breaks down and which occurs in times of growth such as childhood, pregnancy, recovery from illness, and in response to resistance training when overloading the muscles promotes protein synthesis? a. Catabolism b. Anabolism c. Hypermetabolism d. Hypometabolism - Correct Ans-B Which of the following types of fatty-acid structures represents the chemical form in which most fat exists in food as well as in the body? a. Adipocytes b. Phospholipids c. Cholesterol d. Triglycerides - Correct Ans-D Which of the following structures of the gastrointestinal tract represents the site of the majority of food digestion and absorption in the human body? a. Mouth b. Stomach c. Small intestine d. Large intestine - Correct Ans-C In which of the following nutrients might a client become deficient if he or she has a medical condition or is taking a medication that impairs fat absorption? a. Folate ACE ACE b. Calcium c. Vitamin C d. Vitamin A - Correct Ans-D The latest hydration recommendations for the average adult exerciser are to __________. a. Drink 8 ounces of fluids before, during, and after most types of exercises b. Follow individualized hydration regimens and let thirst be the guide - if thirsty, drink water c. Avoid over-hydration (hyponatremia) by limiting fluid intake until after an exercise session d. Reduce the risk of dehydration by drinking enough fluids while exercising to gain weight during the exercise session - Correct Ans-B Jeffery is a 65-year-old retiree who has hypertension and is currently limiting his sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, to what amount could Jeffery limit his daily sodium intake for even greater blood pressure reduction? a. 1000mg b. 1500mg c. 2000mg d. 1800mg - Correct Ans-B For the first time since their inception, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans explicitly recommend that Americans _______________. a. Limit fat intake b. Reduce sodium c. Minimize trans fatty acids d. Eat less - Correct Ans-D Review the nutrition information below. Which of the following represents the percentage of calories from carbohydrate, protein, and fat in a serving of this food item? Nutrition Information Serving size: 3 tablespoons (30 g), Servings per container: About 22, Amount per serving, Calories: 217, Total fat: 21 g, Saturated fat: 2 g, Trans fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 0 mg, Total carbohydrate: 3 g, Dietary fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 1 g, Protein: 4 g, a. 6% carbohydrate; 7% protein; 87% fat b. 10% carbohydrate; 15% protein; 75% fat c. 13% carbohydrate; 17% protein; 70% fat d. 20% carbohydrate; 25% protein; 55% fat - Correct Ans-A John is a 175-pound, healthy, recreational exerciser. According to the American Dietetic Association (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) and the American College of Sports Medicine, how much daily protein intake is appropriate for John? a. 30 to 48 g b. 50 to 68 g ACE ACE c. 70 to 88 g d. 90 to 108 g - Correct Ans-C According to the ACE Position Statement on Nutritional Supplements, what should a health coach do if he or she works at a place of business that expects the health coach to promote or sell nutritional supplements? a. Consider changing employers to find a location that does not require health coaches to sell nutritional supplements b. Take a continuing education course to add the credential of "nutritionist" to the health coach's qualifications c. Before selling any nutritional supplements to clients, inform them that the federal government does not regulate these items d. Ensure that the health coach's employer possesses adequate insurance coverage for him or her should a problem arise - Correct Ans-D Which of the following snacks would be most beneficial for post-exercise fueling to replenish glycogen stores and facilitate muscle repair? a. Whole-grain toast with peanut butter b. Plain white bagel with cream cheese c. Carrots, celery, and raisins d. Bowl of mixed berries - Correct Ans-A Which of the following strategies would contradict the National Eating Disorders Association's recommendations for dealing with a client who is suspected of having, or who has been diagnosed with, an eating disorder? a. Suggest weekly body-weight checks to ensure the client is staying on track b. Do not assume that reducing body fat or weight will improve performance c. Help other fitness professionals recognize the signs of eating disorders d. Emphasize the health risks of low weight - Correct Ans-A Which of the following tools for understanding a client's current dietary habits makes it LEAST likely that the client will forget to include foods in the process? a. Food diary b. Food record c. 24-hour recall d. Food-frequency questionnaire - Correct Ans-D Which of the following responses represents the two overarching concepts put forth by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans? a. Maintain calorie balance to achieve and sustain a healthy weight and focus on nutrient-dense foods and beverages b. Prevent a gradual age-related weight gain and prevent decreases in metabolism over time c. Consult a healthcare provider about weight-loss strategies and ensure appropriate management of chronic conditions ACE ACE d. Choose more nutrient-dense foods and reduce foods or food components consumed in excessive amounts - Correct Ans-A Which of the following activities would be outside the scope of practice for a health coach working with clients? a. A health coach refers her overweight and obese clients to a website known for healthy recipes b. After determining his morbidly obese client needs to lose significant weight, a health coach gives the client advice on a very-low-calorie diet c. A health coach gives a competitive athlete eating strategies for pre- and post exercise nutrition d. After being hired at a health club, a health coach develops and implements a lecture series educating members on weight-loss physiology - Correct Ans-B Kerry is 5'7" and weighs 190 lb. What is her BMI? a. 19 kg/m2 b. 25 kg/m2 c. 30 kg/m2 d. 35 kg/m2 - Correct Ans-C Obesity that occurs later in life is associated with _______________. a. An increase in the number of adipocytes b. An enlargement of the existing fat cells c. A pear-shaped body-fat distribution pattern d. More fat distributed in the extremities versus the trunk - Correct Ans-B Which of the following nutrients is the most metabolically costly to convert and store as fat in the body (i.e., which nutrient takes the most energy to break down and store as body fat if there is an excess of this type of nutrient present)? a. Carbohydrate b. Fat c. Protein d. Alcohol - Correct Ans-C What component of human daily energy expenditure contributes the least amount of energy to the overall daily total? a. Resting metabolic rate b. Basal metabolic rate c. Thermic effect of food d. Activity thermogenesis - Correct Ans-C Which of the following hormones is produced by the pancreatic ß-cells and secreted in response to elevated blood glucose levels? a. Insulin b. Leptin c. Ghrelin ACE ACE d. Cholecystokinin - Correct Ans-A What hormone has been found in obese children and adults to circulate in direct proportion to adipose tissue mass when weight is stable, in amounts four times higher than in lean individuals? a. Insulin b. Leptin c. Ghrelin d. Cholecystokinin - Correct Ans-B Which of the following environmental factors is independently associated with obesity? a. The presence of supermarkets in one's neighborhood b. Working near many fast-food restaurants c. Living more than 25 miles away from the workplace d. Living in a low-income neighborhood - Correct Ans-D Over the past year, Cynthia has gained 15 pounds. Assuming this weight gain is the result of excess energy intake, how many total extra calories has Cynthia consumed beyond her body's average daily needs to create the added weight over the past year? a. 35,000 calories b. 46,500 calories c. 52,500 calories d. 60,000 calories - Correct Ans-C Which type of diet has been shown (more than the others listed) to promote satiety and thermogenesis? a. Carbohydrate-restricted diet b. High-fat diet c. High-protein diet d. Detoxification diet - Correct Ans-C Which of the following statements about the glycemic index is true? a. The glycemic index of a food reflects its overall nutritional value b. The glycemic index of a food is affected by cooking, ripeness, protein and fat content, and handling c. A high-glycemic food is less nutritious than a low-glycemic food d. Low-glycemic foods cause a spike in blood glucose may lead to overeating and subsequent weight gain - Correct Ans-B Which of the following statements about programming for weight loss is most accurate? a. Fasting allows an individual to lose weight rapidly and is appropriate for kick-starting long-term weight loss b. Carbohydrate-restricted diets appear to be best eating plan for both short- and long term weight loss c. In general, bariatric surgery is the most effective tool for helping people lose weight and keep it off long-term ACE ACE d. Increasing activity, with a modest restriction in calories, is the most advisable way to tip the scale toward weight loss - Correct Ans-D Which of the following medical symptoms of untreated anorexia nervosa (AN) is directly related to arrythmias of the heart? a. Low potassium levels b. Atrophy of the gut c. Diminished peristalsis d. Osteopenia or osteoporosis - Correct Ans-A What psychological problem is most frequently suffered both by individuals with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa? a. Obsessive-compulsive disorder b. Post-traumatic stress disorder c. Schizophrenia d. Depression - Correct Ans-D What are the three symptoms associated with the female athlete triad? a. Dysmenorrhea, anorexia nervosa, and osteoporosis b. Amenorrhea, disordered eating, and osteoporosis c. Oligomenorrhea, disordered eating, and osteopenia d. Amenorrhea, bulimia nervosa, and osteopenia - Correct Ans-B Which of the following statements about self-efficacy is most accurate? a. If a client's self-efficacy is high, he or she will be more likely to drop out b. Client self-efficacy levels should be evaluated for the first time about midway through a lifestyle-management program c. Self-efficacy is a dynamic construct, meaning that it can change from day to day d. Clients with low self-efficacy should be challenged with vigorous-intensity workouts at the very beginning of their exercise programs - Correct Ans-C Which of the following responses represents a factor that can erroneously lead clients to put the responsibility of program success on the health coach, removing their own personal responsibility from the equation? a. Lack of rapport b. Decreased self-efficacy c. Past experience d. Unclear expectations - Correct Ans-D When interviewing clients, Stacey matches their gestures, facial expressions, and body positioning to promote a strong connection. What approach for enhancing rapport is Stacey demonstrating when she mirrors her clients in this way? a. Nonverbal communication b. Active listening c. Empathy d. Mimicry - Correct Ans-A ACE ACE Which of the following components of communication is a learned skill that is demonstrated by showing concern and genuine interest? a. Active listening b. Empathy c. Open-ended questioning d. Sympathy - Correct Ans-B The psychological environment of the client-health coach relationship is most related to _______________. a. Customer service b. Communication c. First impressions d. Personality - Correct Ans-A Conducting an initial full session of body measurements and strength and cardiovascular tests on a new, overweight client could be disadvantageous because _______________. a. Newcomers to a lifestyle-modification program are essentially going to "fail" most assessments, which may be harmful to self-efficacy, rapport, or program enthusiasm b. New clients should not be charged for a session of assessments since there is no program progress being made in the allotted time c. Assessments should be conducted one per session so that the time for exercise is not drastically reduced d. The time spent discussing the results and explaining how they relate to the client's goals will typically take more time than the session allows - Correct Ans-A Which of the following statements about self-help weight-loss programs is true? a. The safety, effectiveness, and quality of self-help approaches are consistent across most programs b. In general, in self-help programs, one basic approach is recommended for everyone, with little or no individualization c. Most self-help weight-loss programs are associated with commercial-based franchise, with coaches available as resources d. Self-help programs are typically run as an outpatient track associated with a hospital or university - Correct Ans-B The Department of Consumer Affairs of New York City was the first agency to introduce a "Truth-in-Dieting" regulation as a result of the _______________. a. High cost associated with weight-loss programs b. Large number of consumers who were participating in weight-loss program c. Increased opportunity to tax rapid-weight-loss centers' earnings d. Deceptive practices of many rapid-weight-loss centers - Correct Ans-D ACE ACE According to the Institute of Medicine's stepped levels of care for obesity treatment in Weighing the Options: Criteria for Evaluating Weight-Management Programs, in which step is it appropriate to introduce a very-low-calorie diet? a. Step 1 b. Step 2 c. Step 3 d. Step 4 - Correct Ans-D Based on the Institute of Medicine's stepped levels of care for obesity treatment in Weighing the Options: Criteria for Evaluating Weight-Management Programs, in which step can a health coach begin to promote lifestyle change through education, support, and structure? a. Step 1 b. Step 2 c. Step 3 d. Step 4 - Correct Ans-A Which of the following pencil-and-paper assessments is limited by its lack of detail, which may overlook important health conditions, medications, and past injuries? a. Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) b. American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) coronary artery disease risk factor stratification c. Exercise history and attitude questionnaire d. Weight-loss readiness quiz - Correct Ans-A Based on Jeremy's health data below, which assessment results would you mark as positive risk factors (+1) using the ACSM atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factor thresholds? Jeremy is a 45-year-old restaurateur who works 60 hours or more each week. His physical activity consists of the time he spends walking throug