Question 1

According to the mismatch hypothesis, why do many modern health problems arise?

Accepted Answer

Because our bodies have not evolved to handle the rapid changes in lifestyle and environment brought by agriculture and industrialization.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the role of leptin in body weight regulation?

Accepted Answer

Leptin is a protein hormone released by fat cells that signals the brain about the body's energy stores, helping to maintain a stable body weight set point.

Question 3

Why is body fat considered beneficial from an evolutionary perspective?

Accepted Answer

It provides an energy reserve during periods of food scarcity and is necessary for successful conception and pregnancy.

Question 4

A woman with body fat below 11% is likely to experience which of the following?

Accepted Answer

She may not ovulate, reducing her chances of conception.

Question 5

Which statement best characterizes the difference in diet between modern Canadians and hunter-gatherer societies?

Accepted Answer

Hunter-gatherers consumed a more diverse, high-fibre diet with little to no processed foods, while modern Canadians eat more processed, fatty, sugary, and salty foods.

Question 6

What is the primary reason the body lowers its metabolism during dieting, according to the set-point theory?

Accepted Answer

To retain fat levels and maintain a stable body weight set point.

Question 7

Which of the following best explains why laziness may have been adaptive in the Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness (EEA)?

Accepted Answer

Conserving energy reduced the need for food intake, which was often scarce.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a major change brought about by agriculture and industrialization that contributed to modern health issues?

Accepted Answer

Increased diversity of plant foods in the diet.

Question 9

Hunter-gatherer diets typically had which of the following characteristics compared to modern diets?

Accepted Answer

Higher fibre intake and greater plant diversity.

Question 10

If a modern Canadian consumes 3,000 mg of sodium per day, while a hunter-gatherer consumes 600 mg per day, what is the ratio of modern to hunter-gatherer sodium intake? Express your answer as a simplified fraction.

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{3000}{600} = 5$$

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the omnivorous nature of humans as inferred from evolutionary evidence?

Accepted Answer

Humans have both canine teeth for tearing meat and molars for grinding plants, and a digestive tract length suited for a mixed diet.

Question 12

A patient is found to have low circulating leptin levels despite having high body fat. Which of the following is the most likely consequence?

Accepted Answer

The brain may not accurately detect energy stores, potentially leading to further fat accumulation.

Question 13

Which of the following is a direct consequence of increased sodium and decreased potassium intake in modern diets compared to hunter-gatherer diets?

Accepted Answer

Increased risk of heart ailments.

Question 14

Which scenario best illustrates the mismatch hypothesis in a real-world context?

Accepted Answer

A person develops type 2 diabetes after years of consuming processed foods and leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why body weight tends to plateau after initial weight loss during dieting?

Accepted Answer

The body lowers its metabolism to conserve energy and maintain its set point.

Question 16

If a hunter-gatherer consumes 7,000 mg of potassium per day and a modern Canadian consumes 3,000 mg per day, what is the percentage decrease in potassium intake?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{7000 - 3000}{7000} 	imes 100 = 57.14\%$$

Question 17

Which of the following is a likely reason for the decrease in overall vitamin levels in modern diets compared to those of hunter-gatherers?

Accepted Answer

Modern diets rely more on processed foods with lower nutrient diversity.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes the change in physical activity from the EEA to modern society?

Accepted Answer

Physical activity decreased due to increased food abundance and decreased need for mobility.

Question 19

Which of the following is a plausible explanation for why processed foods are more prevalent in modern diets than in hunter-gatherer diets?

Accepted Answer

Industrialization made food more abundant and easier to acquire, increasing reliance on processed foods.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why hunter-gatherers had higher fibre intake than modern populations?

Accepted Answer

They consumed a wide variety of unprocessed plant foods rich in fibre.

Evolutionary Perspectives on Health, Body Weight, and Modern Lifestyle

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