Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

The correct choice is lipids, or fats, as they represent the primary macronutrient found in oils and fats. Oils and fats are composed predominantly of triglycerides, which are a type of lipid. Lipids play a critical role in the diet as they provide a high caloric density, supplying about nine calories per gram, which is more than double the energy provided by carbohydrates and proteins.

In addition to energy, lipids are essential for various physiological functions, including the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), providing essential fatty acids that the body cannot synthesize, and serving as a major structural component of cell membranes. The concentration of lipids in oils and fats makes them an important source of energy and a necessary component of a balanced diet.

Carbohydrates and proteins, on the other hand, are present in much smaller quantities in oils and fats, and vitamins, while critical for health, are also not macronutrients but micronutrients required in much lower amounts. The distinction lies mainly in the fact that oils and fats are rich in lipids, underscoring their role as a concentrated source of energy and nutrients crucial for bodily functions.