Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

What disease is characterized by both protein and calorie deficiency?

1. Obesity

2. Protein-Calorie Malnutrition

3. Diabetes

4. Anemia

The correct answer is: Protein-Calorie Malnutrition

Protein-Calorie Malnutrition is characterized by a significant deficiency in both protein and calories. This condition arises when the dietary intake does not meet the body's needs for energy and essential nutrients, leading to weight loss, muscle wasting, and a variety of health complications. It is often seen in populations with limited access to adequate food sources, such as in poverty or certain health conditions that impair absorption or increase nutritional needs. Understanding the implications of this condition is crucial for dietary managers, as they must be equipped to recognize and address the signs and symptoms of malnutrition in individuals, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, or those with chronic illnesses. Recognition and intervention can help improve nutritional status and overall health outcomes. In contrast, obesity typically relates to an excess of calories rather than a deficiency, while diabetes primarily concerns blood sugar management and insulin function rather than overall nutrient deficiency. Anemia, on the other hand, is characterized by a lack of sufficient healthy red blood cells, often due to iron, vitamin B12, or folate deficiencies, rather than a broad deficiency of both protein and calories.