NUFS 106A Exam 1 Study Guide
Nutrition Basics:
In general, it is assumed that general and basic nutrition information and guidelines have
been learned prior to this class. Therefore, it is the discretion of the instructor to test on
that material. Here are a few topics you will want to know.
What are the 6 classes of nutrients and each of their general role/functions in the body?
Understand the term nutrient density and how to apply it when making food choices.
Know the difference between essential and non-essential nutrients. Which nutrients are
essential?
Understand what the DRIs are. What is the RDA? How are they determined? Who’s
needs do they meet? What is the AI? When is it established? What are the AMDRs for
each macronutrient?
Know the number of kcals stored in a gram of protein, fat and CHO. Be able to convert
kcals to grams and vice versa.
Understand MyPlate. How many food groups are there? What are the key nutrients
provided by each group? What are the key messages from MyPlate?
What determines the number of servings a person needs from the food groups?
Review the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and role of each for good health.
Know the principles of the Food Exchange System and how the Exchange System is
used.
Know the definition of malnutrition, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and metabolism.
What are some of the cautions for people taking supplements? Why?
What factors should be considered when trying to make the decision to use a dietary
supplements?
Be able to estimate content of a meal or snack: for example: how many grams of protein
are in a snack consisting of 1 ounces of meat, ½ cup of lettuce & tomato, a fruit yogurt
and 1 slice of wheat bread?
How many calories and grams of carbohydrate in a snack of 2 cups of salad (= 2 servings
of vegetables), a bagel (equal to 4 grain servings) and an orange?
Preconception:
Know the health status and behaviors of women that will promote fertility or decrease the
likelihood of infertility.
Know the health status and behaviors of men that will promote fertility or decrease the
likelihood of infertility.
Which vitamin and mineral supplements are warranted during pregnancy planning and
why?
Understand the role of hormones discussed in class and which ones promote and inhibit
fertility (estrogen, leptin, testosterone).
In general, what do the 2010 Nutrition Objectives focus on as they relate to
preconception? Hint: 4 areas of focus.
How does acute and chronic undernutrition disrupt fertility in men and women?
How does over fatness disrupt fertility in men and women? Know a bit about metabolic
syndrome and its impact on fertility.
How does exercise affect fertility in men and women?
Describe in general terms how iron, zinc, folate, ETOH, and caffeine effect fertility/fetal
health.
Why is it important to address health and lifestyle concerns before becoming pregnant?
Pregnancy:
List the time frames for the trimesters, full term, preterm, very preterm.
Know, in chronological order, the names used to describe phases of growth after
conception: embryo…
What does infant mortality mean and why is it monitored?
What is normal birth weight and why is it measured?
Explain the relationship of maternal weight gain and fetal health.
How does a woman’s body change with embryo and fetal growth? What changes occur
through the ~40 weeks? (Blood volume, blood glucose, food intake, GI tract,
metabolism)
Why is pregnancy described as a diabetogenic state?
Describe why “the fetus is not a parasite.”
What is the role of the placenta?
Describe SGA, dSGA, pSGA & LGA. What does each of these indicate about fetal
growth and development and maternal nutrition?
If a woman conceives at a healthy body weight, what is considered a normal weight gain
range? At BMI greater than 30, healthy weight gain?
What is the relationship of maternal weight gain to fetal weight gain? How & why are
the rates of weight gain different?
What healthy activities can a postpartum mom do to return to pre-pregnancy weight?
What are the additional maternal energy, CHO, protein & fluid requirements?
Explain why vegans may have difficulty meeting all their pregnancy nutrient needs.
Which nutrients must vegans pay particular attention to?
Know the role of the following nutrients during pregnancy: omega-3 FA, folate/folic
acid, vitamins A & D, calcium, iron & fiber.
What are key elements of a healthy pregnancy diet? Give some examples of what is not a
healthy pregnancy diet?
Which women are labeled “high risk” for pregnancy? What are the underlying issues that
compound the stress of pregnancy or that pregnancy compounds?
Obesity and gestational diabetes (GD) causes many complications. List some
complications to the mother and the fetus/baby.
Who is tested for GD and how?
Why is exercise so beneficial to pregnancy and specifically to the obese or those with
gestational diabetics?
What are the guidelines for a balances diet for obese pregnant women?
What are the guidelines for a balanced GD diet?