NASM: Weight Loss Specialization Test
Questions and Answers
Question 1
T/F: Obesity is based on someone's weight.
Correct Answer
False: It is based on how much body fat (adipose tissue) someone carries.
Question 2
How is BMI determined?
Correct Answer
weight (kg) / height (m2)
Question 3
T/F: Education level and ethnicity are associated with the prevalence of obesity.
Correct Answer
True
Question 4
What percentage of people in America are overweight or obese?
Correct Answer
69.2% with 35.9% of them obese (2012)
Page 1 of 39
,Question 5
What are the BMI categories?
Correct Answer
Normal: 18.5 - 24.9
Overweight: 25 - 29.9
Obese (class I): 30 - 34.9
Obese (class II): 35 - 39.9
Extreme Obesity (class III): 40+
Question 6
After the age of 20, which of the following age groups has the lowest prevalence of
being overweight?
Correct Answer
20-29 years
Question 7
What age range has the highest prevalence of being overweight or obese?
Correct Answer
30-70 years
Question 8
T/F: Measuring the body density in children is a better assessment of obesity rates
than measuring their BMI.
Correct Answer
False: Although measuring BMI is not the most ideal method for children, it is a
good estimate.
Page 2 of 39
,Question 9
What is the main cause of excess stored body fat?
Correct Answer
consuming more calories than expended
Question 10
What are main obstacles for fitness professionals coaching an overweight client?
Correct Answer
Teaching how to overcome conveniences of: modern technology - food
accessibility - societal norms - cultural norms
Question 11
T/F: Socioeconomic status has impacted obesity rates.
Correct Answer
True: Socioeconomic status affects one's ability to access and afford healthy food
choices.
Question 12
Where does obesity rank on the international risks of death?
Correct Answer
5th (2012)
Page 3 of 39
, Question 13
What is a multi-faceted approach for understanding how to train someone
overweight or obese?
Correct Answer
- the scope of the problem of obesity
- factors that contribute to the problem
- medical & physical challenges
- how to communicate the correct information
Question 14
What is diabetes?
Correct Answer
Disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin.
Question 15
What is insulin?
Correct Answer
a hormone produced by the pancreas that facilitates the uptake of glucose from the
blood to various cells.
Question 16
What is hyperglycemia?
Correct Answer
high blood glucose levels caused when the pancreases cannot produce enough
insulin to combat an insulin resistance.
Page 4 of 39
Questions and Answers
Question 1
T/F: Obesity is based on someone's weight.
Correct Answer
False: It is based on how much body fat (adipose tissue) someone carries.
Question 2
How is BMI determined?
Correct Answer
weight (kg) / height (m2)
Question 3
T/F: Education level and ethnicity are associated with the prevalence of obesity.
Correct Answer
True
Question 4
What percentage of people in America are overweight or obese?
Correct Answer
69.2% with 35.9% of them obese (2012)
Page 1 of 39
,Question 5
What are the BMI categories?
Correct Answer
Normal: 18.5 - 24.9
Overweight: 25 - 29.9
Obese (class I): 30 - 34.9
Obese (class II): 35 - 39.9
Extreme Obesity (class III): 40+
Question 6
After the age of 20, which of the following age groups has the lowest prevalence of
being overweight?
Correct Answer
20-29 years
Question 7
What age range has the highest prevalence of being overweight or obese?
Correct Answer
30-70 years
Question 8
T/F: Measuring the body density in children is a better assessment of obesity rates
than measuring their BMI.
Correct Answer
False: Although measuring BMI is not the most ideal method for children, it is a
good estimate.
Page 2 of 39
,Question 9
What is the main cause of excess stored body fat?
Correct Answer
consuming more calories than expended
Question 10
What are main obstacles for fitness professionals coaching an overweight client?
Correct Answer
Teaching how to overcome conveniences of: modern technology - food
accessibility - societal norms - cultural norms
Question 11
T/F: Socioeconomic status has impacted obesity rates.
Correct Answer
True: Socioeconomic status affects one's ability to access and afford healthy food
choices.
Question 12
Where does obesity rank on the international risks of death?
Correct Answer
5th (2012)
Page 3 of 39
, Question 13
What is a multi-faceted approach for understanding how to train someone
overweight or obese?
Correct Answer
- the scope of the problem of obesity
- factors that contribute to the problem
- medical & physical challenges
- how to communicate the correct information
Question 14
What is diabetes?
Correct Answer
Disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin.
Question 15
What is insulin?
Correct Answer
a hormone produced by the pancreas that facilitates the uptake of glucose from the
blood to various cells.
Question 16
What is hyperglycemia?
Correct Answer
high blood glucose levels caused when the pancreases cannot produce enough
insulin to combat an insulin resistance.
Page 4 of 39
