ACE Health Coach Certification Practice Test

How many total extra calories has Cynthia consumed beyond her body's average daily needs to create the added weight over the past year?

1. 35,000 calories

2. 46,500 calories

3. 52,500 calories

4. 60,000 calories

The correct answer is: 52,500 calories

To determine how many extra calories Cynthia has consumed to account for her added weight over the past year, it's important to understand the relationship between calories and weight gain. A pound of body weight is generally considered to be equivalent to approximately 3,500 calories. If we know the length of time she has been gaining weight (one year in this case), we can estimate the total weight she has gained and calculate the corresponding extra caloric intake. For example, if Cynthia gained 15 pounds over the year, we would multiply the number of pounds by the calorie equivalent to determine the total extra calories consumed. 15 pounds x 3,500 calories/pound results in 52,500 extra calories. This indicates that Cynthia's additional calorie intake beyond her body's average daily needs was significant enough to result in that weight gain. This calculation method explores a straightforward and commonly used formula in understanding weight change related to caloric intake, making it clear how the total extra calories consumed aligns with the amount of weight gained over time.