HOSA Nutrition Guidelines (August 2023) Page 1 of 2
New for 2023 – 2024
These guidelines are written for ILC. States may modify events or have different event processes and deadlines.
Be sure to check with your Local/State Advisor (or state website) to determine how the event is implemented for
the regional/area or state conference. Editorial updates have been made.
Event Summary
The Nutrition test provides HOSA members with the opportunity to explore and learn about the relationship of nutrition
and wellness and to assess knowledge common in this health field. This competitive event consists of a written test
with a tiebreaker essay question. This event aims to inspire members to be proactive future health professionals and
to apply and analyze information related to nutrition and health.
Dress Code
Competitors must be in official HOSA uniform or proper business attire. Bonus points will be awarded for
proper dress.
General Rules
1. Competitors in this event must be active members of HOSA-Future Health Professionals and in
good standing.
2. Eligible Divisions: Secondary and Postsecondary/Collegiate divisions are eligible to compete in
this event.
3. Competitors must be familiar with and adhere to the “General Rules and Regulations of the HOSA
Competitive Events Program (GRR)."
A. Per the GRRs and Appendix H, HOSA members may request accommodation in any
competitive event. To learn the definition of an accommodation, please read Appendix H. To
request accommodation for the International Leadership Conference, submit the request form
here by May 15 at midnight EST.
B. To request accommodation for any regional/area or state level conferences, submit the request
form here by your state published deadline. Accommodations must first be done at state in order
to be considered for ILC.
4. All competitors shall report to the site of the event at the time designated for each round of competition. At
ILC, competitor’s photo ID must be presented prior to ALL competition rounds.
Competitor Must Provide:
Photo ID
Two #2 lead pencils (not mechanical) with eraser
HOSA Nutrition Guidelines (August 2023) Page 2 of 2
Official References
5. All official references are used in the development of the written test.
6. Roth, Ruth. Nutrition and Diet Therapy, Cengage Learning. Latest edition.
7. West, Dorothy. Nutrition and Wellness for Life. Goodheart-Willcox. Latest edition.
Written Test
8. Test Instructions: The written test will consist of 100 multiple choice items in a maximum of 90 minutes.
9. Time Remaining Announcements: There will be NO verbal announcements for time remaining during ILC
testing. All ILC testing will be completed in the Testing Center and competitors are responsible for monitoring
their own time.
10. One essay question will be administered with the original test. In case of a tie, the essay question will
be judged and used to break the tie.
11. The test plan for Nutrition is:
• Carbohydrates, fats and proteins………………………………. 15%
• Vitamins & minerals……………………………………………… 15%
• Water (Fluid & electrolyte balance) ……………………………. 10%
• Nutrition through the life span…………………………………... 15%
• Digestion, absorption and metabolism…………………………. 10%
• Cultural patterns and food habits………………………………. 5%
• Food related illnesses, intolerances, and allergies……………. 10%
• Medical nutrition therapy…………………………………………. 20%
Diabetes
Renal disease
Clients with special needs
Cardiovascular disease
Gastrointestinal disease
Cancer
12. Sample Test Questions
1. Lactose, maltose and sucrose belong to which type of carbohydrate group? (Roth pp 66)
A. Disaccharides
B. Liposaccharides
C. Monosaccharides
D. Polysaccharide
2. Which body organ has no stored supply of glucose and requires a minute-to-minute
supply from the blood? (West pp 130)
A. Heart
B. Liver
C. Brain
D. Pancreas
3. Diets high in cholesterol and saturated fats are thought to contribute to which condition? (Roth p 244)
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Atherosclerosis
C. Hypertension
D. Macular degeneration
Final Scoring
13. The competitor should write their answer to the tiebreaker essay question on the tiebreaker page of
the test that remains attached to the original test.
14. Final rank is determined by the test score. In case of a tie, the essay question will be used to determine
the rank.