ACE Health Coach Certification Practice Test

Who is likely to have experienced fat cell hypertrophy?

1. a 9-month-old girl who is categorized as obese

2. a 16-year-old boy who became obese during a growth spurt

3. a 40-year-old woman who gained weight moving her to the obese category

4. a 50-year-old man who has been morbidly obese for most of his adult life

The correct answer is: a 40-year-old woman who gained weight moving her to the obese category

Fat cell hypertrophy refers to the increase in the size of existing fat cells (adipocytes), which can occur when a person gains weight. In the case of the 40-year-old woman who has gained weight, this individual is moving into the obese category likely as a result of accumulating excess body fat over time. As her body requires more energy storage due to an increased energy intake compared to expenditure, her existing fat cells expand to accommodate this surplus energy. This scenario is common in middle-aged adults who might gain weight due to various factors such as a slower metabolism, lifestyle changes, or hormonal shifts. The other individuals mentioned may not have experienced hypertrophy to the same degree. For instance, the 9-month-old girl is still developing, and her fat distribution will be influenced more by overall growth patterns rather than just weight gain. The 16-year-old boy is likely in a developmental stage where both fat cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia (the formation of new fat cells) can occur during puberty. The 50-year-old man who has been morbidly obese for most of his life may have undergone both hypertrophy and hyperplasia, but since he has been obese for a long time, his existing fat cells are already significantly enlarged,