Chapter 17 – Life Cycle Nutrition: Adulthood and the Later Years
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Approximately what fraction of the U.S. population is at least 65 years old?
a.
1/100
b.
1/30
c.
1/10
d.
1/8
e.
1/3
2. What is the fastest-growing age group in the United States?
a.
21-34 years
b.
35-49 years
c.
50–64
d.
65-84 years
e.
Over 85 years
3. What is the life expectancy of black males and females in the United States?
a.
72 (males), 78 years (females)
b.
78 (males), 85 years (females)
c.
81 (males), 86 years (females)
d.
85 (males), 89 years (females)
e.
90 (males), 93 years (females)
4. What was the average life expectancy of a person born in the year 1900?
a.
47 years
b.
55 years
c.
61 years
d.
68 years
e.
71 years
5. What is the life expectancy of white males and females in the United States?
a.
62 (males), 68 years (females)
b.
77 (males), 81 years (females)
c.
82 (males), 86 years (females)
d.
87 (males), 90 years (females)
e.
89 (males), 93 years (females)
6. Approximately how many years is the maximum human life span?
a.
75
b.
100
c.
115
d.
130
e.
145
7. Once a woman reaches the age of 75 years, about how many more years of survival would be
expected?
a.
9
b.
11
c.
13
d.
15
e.
17
8. Longevity is defined as
a.
long duration of life.
b.
a person’s age in years from date of birth.
c.
maximum number of years of life attainable by a species.
d.
average number of years lived by people in a given society.
e.
the years of life left for someone who has attained a given age.
9. Which of the following is a characteristic of the response to stress?
a.
Men often follow a pattern of “tend-and-befriend”
b.
Women usually engage in the “fight–or-flight” response
c.
Older men and women tend to lose their ability to adapt to stress
d.
Common psychological stressors in older people include alcohol abuse and smoking
e.
The physiologic responses triggered by stress decrease the likelihood of physical
responses to the stressors
10. By 2030, what proportion of the U.S. population is expected to be 65 years of age or older?
a.
1 in 7
b.
1 in 6
c.
1 in 5
d.
1 in 4
e.
1 in 3
11. The CDC recommends older adults engage in strength training at least two (non-consecutive) days a
week, at a moderate to high intensity for ____ repetitions.
a.
5-10
b.
10–15
c.
15–20
d.
20–25
e.
25–30
12. What would be the physiological age of a 75-year-old woman whose physical health is equivalent to
that of her 50-year-old daughter, whose physical health is average for her age?
a.
25 years
c.
70 years
b.
50 years
d.
125 years
13. What is the most important predictor of a person’s mobility in the later years?
a.
BMI
b.
Alcohol use
c.
Chronological age
d.
Regular physical activity
e.
Good genes
14. Which of the following is a finding from studies of diet restriction in rats?
a.
Restriction of specific nutrients exerted antiaging effects
b.
Energy-restricted diets led to life extension in 90% of the rats
c.
Energy-restricted diets led to lowering of the metabolic rate and body temperature
d.
Restriction of food intake only after rats reached maturity, but not before, resulted in
extension of the life span
e.
Although early research was encouraging, more recent research has found that the effects
are much smaller than hoped
15. Which of the following is a feature of energy intake and longevity?
a.
Improvements in longevity with energy restriction depend on reducing energy intake but
not on the amount of body fat
b.
Restriction of energy intake in genetically obese animals does not seem to improve
longevity
c.
Biochemical markers for longevity in humans are improved only when energy intake is
reduced by at least one-third
d.
The activities of the genes of older mice on energy-restricted diets are similar to those of
mice on standard diets
e.
Research with humans has found a substantial increase in longevity with a 5% reduction in
energy intake
16. What minimum reduction from the usual intake of energy in people brings about measurable
improvements in body fat, blood pressure, insulin response, and blood lipids?
a.
10%
b.
15%
c.
20%
d.
25%
e.
30%
17. People who persistently restrict energy intake by 30% for 30 years can expect to increase longevity by
up to how many years?
a.
3
b.
6
c.
9
d.
12
e.
15
18. In people who practice energy restriction to prolong life, hunger becomes persistent when kcal intake
first drops by what percentage?
a.
10
b.
20
c.
30
d.
40
e.
50
19. Which of the following is a proposed mechanism for energy restriction and improved longevity in
animals?
a.
Reduced oxidative stress
b.
Increased metabolic rate
c.
Enhanced lipid oxidation
d.
Accelerated growth and development
e.
Decreased physiologic arousal to stress
20. Which of the following is a feature of the stress response in men and women?
a.
Women’s general reactions to stress are different than those of men.
b.
The ability to respond is weaker in older women compared with older men.
c.
The secretion of epinephrine is suppressed in elderly women compared with elderly men.
d.
Psychological stressors such as divorce or death of a loved one are handled much less well
by elderly men compared with elderly women.
e.
There are no clinically important differences in men’s and women’s responses to stress.
21. For adults older than ____, mortality is lowest among individuals who are moderately overweight
(BMI 23.5-27.5)
a.
45
b.
55
c.
65
d.
75
e.
85
22. What is sarcopenia?
a.
Loss of central visual activity
b.
Loss of muscle mass and strength
c.
Aging-induced chronic inflammation of the stomach
d.
Intestinal dysmotility from excessive use of laxatives
e.
Paralysis of GI tract muscles
23. Which of the following is a characteristic of aging and the immune system?
a.
Immunity in older people does not seem to be affected by regular exercise.
b.
In the United States, infectious diseases are a minor cause of deaths in the elderly.
c.
Immune function does not decline with age in people who maintain good nutrition.
d.
Antibiotics are often ineffective in treating infections in older people who have deficient
immune systems.
e.
In elderly persons, nutritional status rarely influences immune functioning.
24. Which of the following terms describes an immune system that is inefficient and overactive in the
aged?
a.
Inflammaging
b.
Dysphagic cell mass
c.
Sarcopenic undermining
d.
Endentulous-induced wasting
e.
Cachexia of aging
25. A person with dysphagia has
a.
no teeth.
b.
low immunity.
c.
difficulty swallowing.
d.
diminished muscle mass.
e.
impaired cognitive function.
26. A person who is edentulous has
a.
no teeth.
b.
low immunity.
c.
difficulty swallowing.
d.
diminished muscle mass.
e.
limited lower body mobility.
27. What fraction of eligible seniors participate in the SNAP?
a.
1/4
b.
1/3
c.
1/2
d.
2/3
e.
3/4
28. The evidence from studies to date shows that nutritional interventions designed to relieve depression
a.
may or may not be effective.
b.
are mildly effective.
c.
are moderately effective.
d.
are greatly effective.
e.
may worsen depression in very old individuals.
29. The calcium Dietary Reference Intake for women 50 and older is
a.
800 mg.
b.
1000 mg.
c.
1200 mg.
d.
1400 mg.
e.
1600 mg.
30. A person with a pressure ulcer has damage to her
a.
skin.
b.
colon.
c.
mouth.
d.
stomach.
e.
small intestine.
31. Approximately what percentage decline in basal metabolism is seen in an 80-year-old person
compared with a 40-year-old?
a.
1-2
b.
2-4
c.
4-8
d.
8-16
e.
16–24
32. Approximately what percentage decline in total energy expenditure is seen in a 70 year old versus a 30
year old?
a.
2
b.
10
c.
20
d.
30
e.
40
33. Which of the following describes the nutrient needs of older people?
a.
They vary according to individual histories.
b.
They remain the same as in young adult life.
c.
They increase; therefore, supplementation is required.
d.
They decrease for vitamins and minerals due to changes in body composition.
e.
They rarely change from middle-age onward.
34. Which of the following is a feature of elderly people and water metabolism?
a.
They may not feel thirsty or recognize dryness of the mouth.
b.
They have a higher total body water content compared with younger adults.
c.
They show increased frequency of urination, which results in higher requirements.
d.
They frequently show symptoms of overhydration such as mental lapses and
disorientation.
e.
Overhydration increases risk of pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections.
35. What is the minimum number of glasses of water per day recommended for older adults?
a.
4
b.
6
c.
8
d.
10
e.
12
36. What percentage of older adults live in poverty?
a.
7
b.
9
c.
11
d.
13
e.
15
37. Adults aged 71 and older who engage in minimal outdoor activity need ____ micrograms of vitamin D
daily.
a.
15
b.
20
c.
25
d.
30
e.
35
38. Which of the following is a research finding on vitamin D nutrition in the elderly?
a.
Self-synthesis capacity is high.
b.
The skin’s capacity to synthesize the vitamin is reduced.
c.
The presence of atrophic gastritis reduces bioavailability of the vitamin.
d.
Symptoms of deficiency include dermatitis and diminished taste acuity.
e.
Deficiency is rarely a problem.
39. Which of the following is a feature of vitamin D nutrition in the elderly?
a.
Most elderly receive near-RDA amounts of the vitamin.
b.
Aging reduces the kidneys’ ability to convert vitamin D to its active form.
c.
The RDA for vitamin D in the elderly is lower due to less excretion by the kidneys.
d.
Most elderly rely primarily on self-synthesis of the vitamin due to their greater time spent
outdoors.
e.
Elderly individuals need at least 40 micrograms per day.
40. Which of the following is a feature of calcium nutrition in the elderly?
a.
The DRI is 800-1000 mg.
b.
Calcium intakes are well below recommendations.
c.
Calcium supplements are not effective sources of calcium due to poor digestibility.
d.
Calcium from food is not well absorbed due to the intake of calcium-binding laxatives.
e.
An elderly individual who lacks sufficient calcium stores can rarely be helped by
supplementation.
41. Which of the following statements describes one aspect of mineral nutrition of older adults?
a.
Zinc intake is adequate for about 95% of this group.
b.
Iron absorption is reduced due to low stomach acidity.
c.
Calcium intakes of females are near the RDA for this group.
d.
Calcium allowances for this group have recently been increased by the Committee on
Dietary Reference Intakes.
e.
Folate excesses are fairly common.
42. A condition that increases the likelihood of iron deficiency in older people is
a.
lack of intrinsic factor.
b.
loss of iron due to menopause.
c.
blood loss from yearly physical testing procedures.
d.
poor iron absorption due to reduced stomach acid secretion and/or use of antacids.
e.
the body’s need for iron increases well into old age.
43. Which of the following is a feature of zinc nutrition in the elderly?
a.
Zinc intake is insufficient in older people.
b.
Excess zinc from supplements blunts the taste buds.
c.
Zinc deficiency stimulates the appetite for high-fat foods.
d.
Most medications affect zinc excretion but not absorption.
e.
Excess zinc increases the risk of pneumonia.
44. Which of the following is a characteristic of nutrition and cataract formation?
a.
Obese and lean people have the same risk for cataracts.
b.
Adequate intakes of biotin and inositol seem to delay the onset of cataract formation.
c.
Nutrition seems to play little, if any, role in the onset of cataracts.
d.
Vitamin C supplements in doses of 1,000 mg for several years appear to raise the risk for
cataracts.
e.
Antioxidant supplements appear to slow the progression of cataracts.
45. What are the thickenings that occur to the lenses of the eye, thereby affecting vision, especially in the
elderly?
a.
Retinitis
b.
Keratoids
c.
Cataracts
d.
Rhodolipids
e.
Glaucoma
46. What proportion of persons in the U.S., age 65 and older, have a cataract?
a.
About 1 in 50
b.
About 1 in 20
c.
About 1 in 10
d.
About 1 in 5
e.
More than half
47. What organ is affected by macular degeneration?
a.
Bone
b.
Eyes
c.
Liver
d.
Kidneys
e.
Spinal cord
48. Which of the following foods seems to relieve rheumatoid arthritis in some people?
a.
Milk
b.
Olive oil
c.
Iodized salt
d.
Refined cereals
e.
Beef and pork
49. Which of the following types of diets has been shown to prevent or reduce arthritis inflammation?
a.
High in simple sugars, low in canned fruit
b.
High in animal protein, low in canned fruit
c.
Low in polyunsaturated fat, high in oleic acid
d.
Low in saturated fat, high in omega-3 fatty acids
e.
High in animal protein and both omega-3 fatty acids and oleic acid
50. What disorder is associated with the body’s breakdown of purines?
a.
Gout
b.
Dysphagia
c.
Sarcopenia
d.
Senile dementia
e.
Macular degeneration
51. What is thought to be the most important nutrition concern for people with Alzheimer’s disease?
a.
Maintenance of appropriate body weight
b.
Ensuring adequate intakes of antioxidant nutrients and DHA
c.
Monitoring intake of medications that may interfere with nutrient bioavailability
d.
Treatment for iron overload to prevent formation of new neurofibrillary tangles
e.
Taking vitamin and mineral supplements appropriate for dementia treatment
52. Which of the following is a characteristic of alcohol use in the elderly?
a.
Binge drinking is more frequent in the elderly than in younger persons.
b.
The proportion of binge drinkers in greater in the elderly than any other age group.
c.
In elderly individuals, unlike in younger individuals, alcohol use is not associated with
other risky behavior such as illicit drug use.
d.
Alcohol withdrawal is much more difficult for older persons than for younger persons.
e.
Elderly individuals are rarely successfully treated for alcohol abuse and dependence.
53. Which of the following is thought to promote the development of brain senile plaques and
neurofibrillary tangles?
a.
Oxidative stress
b.
Excess acetylcholine
c.
Dietary deficiency of choline
d.
Low blood levels of homocysteine
e.
Inability to adequately metabolize protein
54. Approximately what percentage of U.S. adults are affected by Alzheimer’s disease after age 65?
a.
1
b.
5
c.
12
d.
33
e.
50
55. What is the main reason for dieting in the elderly?
a.
To economize when food prices increase
b.
To improve appearance among their peers
c.
To pursue a medical goal such as reducing blood glucose
d.
To reduce risks for development of atrophic gastritis and pernicious anemia
e.
Unintentionally, as a result of depression or dementia
56. Which of the following is a feature of food choices and eating habits of older people?
a.
The quality of life among older people has not improved since 1995.
b.
Older people spend less money on foods to eat at home than younger people.
c.
People over 65 are less likely to diet to lose weight than are younger people.
d.
Most older people think of themselves as generally unhappy and in poor health.
e.
Older people tend to be adventuresome eaters who enjoy breaking away from traditional
foods.
57. What is a congregate meal?
a.
A meal provided for the elderly in a place such as a community center
b.
A meal prepared for the elderly that meets one-third of the Dietary Recommended Intakes
c.
A meal prepared for disadvantaged people of all ages to encourage communal gathering of
diverse population groups
d.
A meal provided through the Nutrition Screening Initiative for the elderly and served
primarily to church congregations
e.
A meal prepared by a community organization and delivered to home-bound individuals
where they live
58. Which of the following is true of food assistance programs for older Americans?
a.
Persons aged 70 and older are eligible.
b.
There are no income limits for eligibility.
c.
Meals on Wheels is generally preferred to congregate meals.
d.
Meals on Wheels requires that individuals be permanently disabled in order to receive
meals.
e.
Congregate meals and Meals on Wheels are funded by the Social Security Administration.
59. Which of the following is a program that provides low-income older adults with coupons that are
exchangeable for fresh vegetables and fruits at community-supported farmers’ markets and roadside
stands?
a.
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
b.
Food Security for the Disadvantaged Elderly
c.
Old Age and Survivors Health Benefits Program
d.
Elderly Nutrition and Maintenance Food Co–Op
e.
Eldercare Food Assistance
60. Which of the following would be the most effective substitute for fresh milk for the elderly person
living alone?
a.
UHT milk
b.
Low-cost expired milk
c.
Calcium carbonate tablets
d.
Greens with highly bioavailable calcium
e.
Sweetened condensed milk
61. What percentage of all prescription drugs sold in the United States is taken by people over 65 years of
age?
a.
10
b.
20
c.
30
d.
40
e.
50
62. How does aspirin reduce inflammation and pain?
a.
It acts as a sedative and barbiturate.
b.
It promotes wound healing and blood clotting.
c.
It interferes with the synthesis of prostaglandins.
d.
It binds to nerve receptors involved in pain perception.
e.
It stimulates endorphin release.
63. What are the known consequences of taking a single two-tablet dose of aspirin?
a.
It inhibits monoamine oxidase activity.
b.
It doubles the bleeding time of wounds.
c.
It increases production of prostaglandins that enhance fever.
d.
It is excreted very rapidly in people taking vitamin C supplements.
e.
In it insufficient to reduce risk of heart attack in at-risk individuals.
64. What is the primary action of the medication megestrol acetate?
a.
It relieves depression.
b.
It promotes weight loss.
c.
It promotes weight gain.
d.
It lowers blood pressure.
e.
It is used to treat moderate dementia.
65. What nutrient is known to interfere significantly with the utilization of the antibiotic tetracycline?
a.
EPA
b.
Zinc
c.
Calcium
d.
Vitamin B12
e.
Sodium