Chapter 12-Weight Management

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental terms and concepts from Chapter 12: Weight Management, including factors that influence weight, assessment methods, health implications, eating disorders, and lifestyle strategies.

Obesity

A condition of excessive body fat that presents multiple health risks; defined as a BMI ≥ 30.

Severe (Extreme) Obesity

A more serious degree of obesity, generally classified as BMI ≥ 40 (Obesity Class III).

Overweight

Total body weight above the recommended range for health; usually BMI 25–29.9.

Genetic Factors (Weight)

Inherited traits that influence body size, shape, fat distribution, and metabolic rate.

Set Point Theory

Concept that the body is biologically programmed to maintain a certain weight range.

Fat Cells (Adipocytes)

Cells that store triglycerides; weight change in adulthood is mainly due to changes in their size.

Metabolism

Sum of all processes using food energy and nutrients in the body.

Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)

Calories required to sustain vital functions while the body is at rest; largest part of daily energy use.

Hormones (Weight)

Chemical messengers—such as insulin, leptin, and ghrelin—that influence appetite and fat storage.

Gut Microbiota

Community of intestinal microbes that help digest food and affect weight; diversity tends to be lower in obesity.

Sleep Debt

Accumulated shortage of sleep linked to higher BMI and abdominal fat.

Obesogenic Environment

Surroundings that promote calorie over-consumption and physical inactivity.

Fat-Free Mass

All non-fat body tissues, including muscle, bone, organs, and water.

Essential Fat

Fat required for normal physiological functioning—found in nerves, brain, and cell membranes.

Subcutaneous Fat

Fat stored under the skin.

Visceral Fat

Fat stored around major organs inside the abdomen; linked to higher disease risk.

Percent Body Fat

Proportion of total body weight composed of fat.

Body Composition

Relative amounts of fat mass and fat-free mass in the body.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Weight (kg) divided by height (m²); used to classify weight status.

Healthy BMI Range

NIH standard BMI 18.5–24.9.

BMI Limitations

Does not differentiate fat from muscle; can misclassify short, muscular, or older individuals.

Waist Circumference

Abdominal girth measurement; ≥ 40 in. (men) or ≥ 35 in. (women) signals elevated disease risk.

Waist-to-Hip Ratio

Waist divided by hip circumference; indicates fat distribution pattern.

Android Obesity (Apple Shape)

Fat stored mainly in the abdomen; associated with higher cardiovascular and metabolic risk.

Gynoid Obesity (Pear Shape)

Fat stored in hips, buttocks, and thighs; generally lower disease risk than android pattern.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)

Body-composition test that estimates fat by measuring resistance to a small electrical current.

Skinfold Measurement

Assessment of subcutaneous fat using calipers at specific body sites.

Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA)

Imaging technique that measures bone density and body-fat distribution with low-dose X-rays.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

Cross-sectional imaging used to quantify visceral and subcutaneous fat.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Imaging method that uses magnetic fields to assess detailed body-fat distribution.

Diabetes Mellitus

Metabolic disorder marked by elevated blood glucose due to insulin problems.

Type 1 Diabetes

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells, leading to little or no insulin production.

Type 2 Diabetes

Condition in which the body resists insulin or produces insufficient amounts; strongly linked to obesity.

Gestational Diabetes

Glucose intolerance first recognized during pregnancy.

Prediabetes

Blood glucose levels higher than normal but not yet diabetic; high progression risk to type 2.

Metabolic Syndrome

Cluster of conditions (e.g., abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL, hypertension) raising heart-disease risk.

Female Athlete Triad

Combination of disordered eating, amenorrhea, and low bone density in active women.

Body Image

Mental representation and feelings a person has about their body.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Obsessive focus on perceived body flaws; related to OCD.

Muscle Dysmorphia

Subtype of BDD characterized by preoccupation with perceived insufficient muscularity.

Eating Disorders

Psychological disorders involving severe disturbances in eating behaviors and body image.

Anorexia Nervosa

Eating disorder marked by self-starvation and excessive weight loss due to fear of fatness.

Bulimia Nervosa

Disorder involving recurrent binge eating followed by purging (vomiting, laxatives, exercise).

Binge-Eating Disorder

Episodes of uncontrollable eating without compensatory purging, often leading to obesity.

OSFED

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders; disordered eating patterns not meeting full criteria for major disorders.

Orthorexia

Unhealthy obsession with only eating foods perceived as healthy or “pure.”

Intuitive Eating

Approach that encourages eating based on internal hunger and satiety cues rather than external rules.

Energy-Dense Foods

Foods high in calories relative to weight or volume (e.g., chips, desserts).

Nutrient-Dense Foods

Foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients relative to calorie content (e.g., fruits, vegetables).

Mediterranean Diet

Eating pattern emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, fish, and moderate wine.

DASH Diet

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension; focuses on fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and reduced sodium.

Bariatric Surgery

Surgical procedures (e.g., gastric bypass) performed to induce significant weight loss in severe obesity.

Appetite Suppressants

Prescription drugs that reduce hunger; recommended for BMI > 30 when lifestyle changes fail.

TOPS

Non-commercial weight-loss support group: Take Off Pounds Sensibly.

OA (Overeaters Anonymous)

Twelve-step program providing peer support for individuals with overeating behaviors.

Set Reasonable Weight-Loss Goal

Recommended target: 0.5–2 lb (0.2–0.9 kg) per week for sustainable loss.

Intermittent Fasting

Eating-pattern strategy cycling between periods of fasting and eating; used for weight management.

Strength Training for Weight Gain

Resistance exercise combined with high-calorie, high-protein diet to build muscle mass.