ACE Health Coach Certification Practice Test

Which activity is outside the scope of practice for a health coach with clients?

1. Referral to a healthy recipes website

2. Advice on a very-low-calorie diet for a morbidly obese client

3. Eating strategies for athletes

4. Developing a lecture series on weight-loss physiology

The correct answer is: Advice on a very-low-calorie diet for a morbidly obese client

The activity involving advice on a very-low-calorie diet for a morbidly obese client is outside the scope of practice for a health coach primarily because it entails providing specific dietary recommendations that can significantly impact a person's health and well-being. Health coaches are equipped to support and guide clients in making lifestyle changes, such as improving overall nutrition, increasing physical activity, and boosting motivation, but they do not typically possess the qualifications to prescribe medical diets or caloric restrictions, especially those that are extreme. Very-low-calorie diets can carry risks and should generally be supervised by healthcare professionals, such as registered dietitians or doctors, who can evaluate the individual's specific health conditions and ensure appropriate monitoring. Therefore, recommending such diets is inappropriate for someone in a health coaching role. In contrast, referring clients to healthy recipe websites, discussing eating strategies for athletes, and developing educational materials on weight-loss physiology are within the bounds of a health coach's function. These activities focus on providing information and resources rather than specific medical or dietary prescriptions, allowing health coaches to facilitate healthier choices without infringing on the roles designated for licensed professionals.