2.4 - Is There an Optimal Diet for Human Health

Question 1

What led to increased atherosclerosis among Greenland Eskimos?

Answer 1

Introduction of refined carbohydrates and sugar.

Question 2

What percentage of the Masai tribe’s diet comes from saturated fat?

Answer 2

33%

Question 3

Why are the Pima Indians an example of gene-environment mismatch?

Answer 3

Traditional genes + modern processed diet = highest global diabetes rates.

Question 4

What do Blue Zones populations eat regularly?

Answer 4

Grains, legumes, some meat and dairy, minimally processed foods.

Question 5

Which Blue Zone is primarily plant-based?

Answer 5

Loma Linda, California.

Question 6

Name three lifestyle traits common to Blue Zones.

Answer 6

Daily physical activity, strong social networks, sense of purpose.

Question 7

Are any Blue Zones vegan or carnivore?

Answer 7

No, none follow extreme dietary ideologies.

Question 8

What is a major limitation of Blue Zone data?

Answer 8

It’s observational, not experimental – many confounding variables.

Question 9

What is a key health benefit of legumes?

Answer 9

Provide fibre, micronutrients, and are a combined source of protein and carbs.

Question 10

What does the phrase “genetics loads the gun, environment pulls the trigger” mean?

Answer 10

Genetic predispositions require environmental triggers to manifest disease.

Question 11

What is the main flaw in intuitive eating research?

Answer 11

Circular logic: healthy people tend to be intuitive eaters, but this does not mean intuitive eating causes health.

Question 12

What are two key outcomes of HAES interventions, even without weight loss?

Answer 12

Improvements in total and LDL cholesterol; improvements in self-esteem and disordered eating.

Question 13

What is one real-life consequence of weight stigma in healthcare?

Answer 13

A patient with back pain was misdiagnosed and later died from an undetected spinal tumour due to doctors focusing only on their weight.

Question 14

Why is it problematic to use intuitive eating as an intervention for disordered eating?

Answer 14

It’s difficult to transform someone with eating struggles into a natural intuitive eater.

Question 15

What is a core value of MNU-certified practitioners?

Answer 15

Non-judgmental, flexible support tailored to individual clients.

Question 16

Why should nutritionists be mindful of how they joke about diets?

Answer 16

Humour can alienate clients who follow those dietary practices.

Question 17

Name 4 features of the “MNU way” of eating.

Answer 17

Limited ultra-processed foods, whole food fats, plant-focused with fibre variety, adequate protein.

Question 18

What’s emphasized over “moderation” and “balance”?

Answer 18

Flexibility and variety.

Question 19

What is the best diet for long-term health according to MNU?

Answer 19

One that allows energy balance, supports health, and is sustainable.

Question 20

What else should nutritionists consider aside from diet?

Answer 20

Physical activity and overall lifestyle.

Question 21

Which diet has been shown in research to help reduce seizures in drug-resistant epilepsy?

Answer 21

Ketogenic diet

Question 22

Complete the following sentence.
An individual’s risk for a certain disease is affected by __________ but _________ will influence the movement of an individual’s health markers.

Answer 22

genetic factors
lifestyle factors

Question 23

True or False?
Many of the people in the blue zones follow a vegan diet as it is associated with the lowest disease rates.

Answer 23

False

Question 24

What are the common nutrition traits of those living in blue zones? (Select all that apply)
Select one or more:
A. Drink alcohol moderately and frequently
B. Consume grains and legumes often
C. No meat consumption
D. Limited dairy consumption
E. Local home-grown foods

Answer 24

A. Drink alcohol moderately and frequently
B. Consume grains and legumes often
E. Local home-grown foods

Question 25

The Kitavans were found to have low rates of heart attack, stroke, diabetes and obesity despite following which diet? Select one: A. High salt B. High fat C. Ketogenic D. High carbohydrates

Answer 25

D. High carbohydrates

Question 26

Complete the following sentence. The Maasai Tribe ate a high-fat diet rich in saturated fat as well as being high in protein mainly from milk, meat and blood but still individuals demonstrate low levels of ____________.

Answer 26

cholesterol

Question 27

There are several health benefits from including wholegrains and legumes in your diet. In terms of health, what can they potentially reduce? (Select all that apply) A. Mortality risk (in a given time frame) B. Body fat mass C. Total and LDL cholesterol D. Type 1 Diabetes E. Heart disease

Answer 27

A. Mortality risk (in a given time frame) B. Body fat mass C. Total and LDL cholesterol E. Heart disease

Question 28

Identify the common confounding variable in fasting studies, which often makes it difficult to determine the direct effect of fasting on health. A. Insulin sensitivity B. Weight loss C. Blood pressure D. Cholesterol levels

Answer 28

B. Weight loss

Question 29

Which of the following should be emphasised in a diet that helps to promote optimal health? (Select all that apply) A. Refined carbohydrates B. Wholegrains C. Alcohol D. Fibre E. Cholesterol

Answer 29

B. Wholegrains D. Fibre

Question 30

Which of the following non-diet approaches could be suggested to a client with a health-focused goal? (Select all that apply) A. Consuming ≥5 portions of fruit & veg per day B. Regular physical activity participation C. Small kcal deficit to elicit gradual weight loss over time D. Non-tracking methods of weight loss e.g. ketogenic diet

Answer 30

A. Consuming ≥5 portions of fruit & veg per day B. Regular physical activity participation

Question 31

Which of the following are traditional dietary characteristics of the Inuits (two) A. Consume the majority of their Calories from fat B. A high consumption of refined carbohydrates C. A high consumption of low GI carbs D. Consuming virtually no plant-based foods

Answer 31

A. Consume the majority of their Calories from fat D. Consuming virtually no plant-based foods

Question 32

Complete the following sentence. During a 10-week period, Professor Mark Haub was able to lose 27lbs by…. A. Consuming a diet with limited processed foods B. Consuming no more than 1g of salt each day C. Only eating Twinkies D. Eating like the Aymara people

Answer 32

C. Only eating Twinkies

Question 33

Which of the following diets is optimal for health? A. Low-fat B. Vegan C. There is no specific diet that is optimal for health D. Keto

Answer 33

C. There is no specific diet that is optimal for health

Question 34

True or false? The Pima Indians of Arizona have always had the highest rate of diabetes of any population in the world

Answer 34

False

Question 35

True or False? Fitness plays no role in an individual’s risk of mortality and practitioners should concentrate solely on reducing BMI for optimal health.

Answer 35

False