Dictionary of obesity

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

The Dictionary of Obesity is a comprehensive resource intended to provide clear definitions of terms, concepts, and treatments related to obesity. This condition is characterized by an excessive amount of body fat and is associated with a variety of health conditions.

A[edit | edit source]

B[edit | edit source]

  • Basal metabolic rate (BMR) - The rate at which the body uses energy while at rest to maintain vital functions such as breathing and keeping warm.
  • Body mass index (BMI) - A measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women.

C[edit | edit source]

D[edit | edit source]

  • Diabetes mellitus type 2 - A long-term metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. Often associated with obesity.

E[edit | edit source]

  • Energy balance - The relationship between the energy derived from food and the energy expended through metabolic and physical activity. A positive energy balance can lead to weight gain.

F[edit | edit source]

  • Fatty liver disease - A condition often associated with obesity where there is an excessive accumulation of fat in the liver.

G[edit | edit source]

  • Ghrelin - Often referred to as the "hunger hormone," it stimulates appetite, increases food intake, and promotes fat storage.

H[edit | edit source]

  • Hyperlipidemia - An elevated level of lipids in the blood, often associated with obesity and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

I[edit | edit source]

  • Insulin resistance - A condition in which cells fail to respond normally to insulin, often associated with obesity and a precursor to type 2 diabetes.

L[edit | edit source]

  • Leptin - A hormone predominantly made by adipose cells that helps to regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger, which in turn diminishes fat storage in adipocytes.

M[edit | edit source]

  • Metabolic syndrome - A cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Obesity is a primary factor.

N[edit | edit source]

  • Nutritional counseling - Professional guidance offered by a registered dietitian or nutrition expert on diet, exercise, and lifestyle for the management of obesity.

O[edit | edit source]

  • Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) - A breathing disorder that affects some people who have been diagnosed with obesity, leading to reduced oxygen levels and increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

P[edit | edit source]

  • Physical activity - Any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure, including exercise. It is a key component in managing obesity.

S[edit | edit source]

  • Satiety - The feeling of fullness and the suppression of hunger for a period of time after eating, which can be affected by different foods and beverages in obesity.

T[edit | edit source]

  • Thermogenesis - The process of heat production in organisms, which can be influenced by diet and physical activity and can contribute to energy expenditure.

V[edit | edit source]

  • Visceral fat - Fat stored within the abdominal cavity and therefore stored around a number of important internal organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines.

W[edit | edit source]

  • Weight cycling - The repeated loss and regain of body weight, also known as "yo-yo dieting," which can negatively affect metabolism and lead to further weight gain.
  • Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) - A measurement used to assess the distribution of body fat. It is calculated by dividing the circumference of the waist by that of the hips, with higher values indicating more abdominal fat.

Z[edit | edit source]

  • Zinc-alpha2-glycoprotein - A protein involved in lipid mobilization, with implications in the pathophysiology of obesity.

List of obesity related terms[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD