Weight Management and Energy Balance

Hunger

The primary physiological drive to eat stimulated by the hypothalamus based on internal body signals.

Satiation

The physiological sensation of feeling full that turns off the hunger response during or after eating.

Appetite

The psychological perception of energy needs or desire to eat, often resulting in overeating when physical hunger is absent.

Food Deserts

Impoverished geographic areas lacking access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food options, increasing reliance on high-calorie foods.

Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)

The minimum energy expenditure required to support vital bodily functions during resting conditions.

Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)

The sum of all calories burned daily, calculated from RMR, physical activity, and the thermic effect of food.

Thermic Effect of Food (TEF)

The energy expenditure above resting levels required for the digestion, absorption, and processing of nutrients (up to 12% of TDEE).

Cunningham Lean Mass Equation

A specific equation used to estimate resting metabolic rate when an individual's body composition (lean mass) is known.

Very Low-Calorie Diets (VLCD)

Medically supervised diets providing 800–1,200 kcals/day prescribed for severely obese individuals, requiring strict nutrient monitoring.

Minimum Recommended Caloric Intake

The floor recommendation of 1,200 kcals/day necessary to ensure adequate essential nutrient consumption without medical supervision.

Yo-Yo Dieting

A cyclical pattern of weight loss and regain that can impair long-term metabolic health and lead to lean tissue loss.

Intermittent Fasting

An eating pattern cycling between defined periods of fasting and eating (e.g., a 3–8 hour feeding window) independent of caloric restriction.

24-Hour Food Recall

A dietary assessment method where an individual reports all food and drink consumed over the preceding 24 hours.

3-Day Food Log

The preferred dietary assessment method tracking consumption across three days to evaluate caloric intake, macros, and nutrient variety.

Lean Mass Catabolism

The breakdown of muscle tissue for energy, which commonly occurs during severe caloric restriction without adequate protein or exercise.

Activity Multipliers

Factors applied to resting metabolic rate to estimate caloric expenditure based on individual daily physical activity levels.