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adipose
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pertaining to fat; fatty
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body mass index (BMI)
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an index for estimating obesity obtained by dividing the weight in pounds/kilograms by height in inches/meters squared, following a formula
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cholelithiasis
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the presence or formation of gallstones
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circadian rhythm
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diverse yet predictable changes in physiological variables, including sleep, appetite, temperature, and hormone secretion, over a 24-hour period
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clean eating
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eating foods that are in their natural state with no chemical additives or preservatives
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food desert
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an area where the population/community has extremely limited access to healthy, affordable food
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ghrelin
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a polypeptide secreted by the stomach that increases appetite, participates in energy homeostasis, and regulates body weight
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glucagon
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a polypeptide hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreas that increases the blood glucose level by stimulating the liver to change stored glycogen to glucose (gluconeogenesis); glucagon opposes the action of insulin and can be administered as an injection to reverse hypoglycemia
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glycemic index (GI)
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a value between 0 and 100 that measures how a specific food increases the blood level of glucose. A score at the low end of the scale (less than 55) indicates a low glycemic index food that has a slow or minimal effect on the blood glucose level; this provides consistency in blood glucose levels.
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hyperplasia
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an abnormal increase in the number of normal cells in an organ or tissue with no evidence of cancer
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hypertrophy
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an increase in the size of an organ, structure, or cellular component of the body
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insulin
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a hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas; a drug principally used to control diabetes mellitus
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insulin resistance
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a missing or lack of response of the muscle, fat, or liver cells to insulin that results in impaired glucose metabolism; also known as insulin sensitivity
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leptin
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a helical peptide hormone produced by adipose tissue that acts on cells in the hypothalamus to suppress appetite and increase metabolism in response to increases in body fat storage; also involved in the onset of puberty and pancreatic insulin secretion
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leptin resistance
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a decrease in the ability of leptin to suppress appetite or increase the body’s energy use
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lipase
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an enzyme that breaks down ingested fat into fatty acids in the GI tract
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lipase inhibitor
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substances used to reduce the activity of lipases found in the GI tract
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Mediterranean diet
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a well-tolerated, palatable diet modeled on the traditional cuisines of Italy, Greece, and the islands of the Mediterranean Sea that includes fish/seafood, wine, whole vegetables, nuts, seeds, and olive oil, deriving 25%–35% of calories from fat
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metabolic syndrome
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the presence of three or more interrelated atherosclerotic risk factors: insulin resistance, elevated fasting blood glucose, hypertension, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoproteins, abdominal obesity, or increased waist circumference
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nutrient-dense foods
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foods rich in vitamins and minerals vital for health without saturated fats, sugars, and sodium
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obesity
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a body mass index of 30 kg/m
2
or higher; an unhealthy accumulation of body fat
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obesity hypoventilation syndrome
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a respiratory consequence of obesity that is characterized by alveolar hypoventilation during sleep and wakefulness.
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overweight
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a body mass index between 26 and 29 kg/m
2
; having a weight higher than what is expected for a person’s age, sex, height, and build
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serotonin deficiency
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a lack of serotonin, a neurotransmitter and vasoconstrictor with a vital role in cellular processes of sleep–wake cycles, intestinal motility, nausea, vomiting, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and eating; deficiency may play a role in increasing depression, anxiety, mania, and other health conditions, including weight gain
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sleep apnea
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the temporary cessation of breathing during sleep
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steatosis
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fatty degeneration
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thermogenesis
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the production of heat by the mitochondria within the cells that burn calories and adipose tissue
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thermogenic foods
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foods that if eaten cause a rise in the production of body heat (burns calories and adipose tissue)
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weight bias
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negative attitudes, beliefs, judgements, stereotypes, and discriminatory acts aimed at individuals because of their weight
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weight stigma
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the negative stereotyping of people with overweight or obesity as lacking self-discipline, being lazy or sloppy, and lacking intelligence