Unit 3: Keeping Fit Vocabulary

A comprehensive vocabulary list for IELTS preparation focusing on health, fitness, and nutrition, categorized by nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

allergy

A medical condition causing a severe reaction to substances like peanuts; the related adjective is allergic.

anxiety

A state of worry or unease; regular physical exercise is known to significantly reduce these levels.

appetite

A desire or hunger for food; it can be stimulated (whetted) or restrained (curbed).

artery

A blood vessel that carries blood from the heart; eating excessive saturated fat can lead to these becoming blocked.

asset

A valuable advantage or resource; for instance, good physical health is considered an invaluable one.

benefit

A positive point or merit; daily exercise yields numerous health advantages for workers.

cravings

Strong desires for specific food items, often experienced suddenly for sweet or sour items.

depression

A clinical condition of severe low mood or mental breakdown that can be triggered by chronic stress.

diagnosis

The identification of a disease or condition; an early one substantially improves recovery chances.

diet

A person's regular intake of food; a balanced one rich in fiber is essential for digestion.

dietician

A specialist, also called a nutritionist, who provides scientific advice regarding food and nutrition.

disease

An illness or disorder; infectious versions of these are often prevented through vaccinations.

eating disorder

Dangerous conditions involving unhealthy eating habits, such as anorexia (biếng ăn) or bulimia (phàm ăn).

exercise

Physical activity or workouts; engaging in this daily helps prevent cardiovascular problems.

factor

A cause, determinant, or attribute; an unhealthy diet is a major risk element for high blood pressure.

fast food

Quickly prepared food that is high in calories but low in nutrients, synonymous with junk food.

harm

Physical injury or damage; smoking causes immense damage to the lungs and overall health.

health

The state of being free from illness; it encompasses both physical and mental well-being.

heart attack

A condition caused by blocked blood supply to the heart; high cholesterol levels increase this risk.

infection

The transmission or contagion of bacteria; prevented in hospitals through proper hand hygiene.

ingredients

The items used to make a dish or medicine; one should check packaged foods for hidden sugars in these.

insomnia

A sleep disorder synonymous with sleeplessness; it can severely impair cognitive function.

intake

The amount of something consumed or absorbed, such as daily fluid or calorie consumption.

junk food

Food that is high in empty calories and low in quality; parents are advised to discourage its consumption.

muscle

Body tissue that can be built through resistance training; the adjective form is muscular.

nutrient

Essential substances like vitamins and minerals that are provided by foods like vegetables.

onset

The beginning of something unpleasant, such as the initial start of a disease or the flu.

portion

A single part or serving of food; controlling this is key to managing daily calorie intake.

risk

A hazard or possibility of danger; a sedentary lifestyle poses a serious one to cardiovascular health.

serving

A portion of food for one person; nutritionists recommend $5$ of these for fruit and vegetables daily.

stress

Emotional or mental pressure; yoga and mindfulness are effective techniques to relieve it.

stroke

A sudden loss of brain function due to a change in blood supply; uncontrolled hypertension is a leading cause.

treatment

A medical therapy or cure; patients may respond remarkably well to new ones.

therapy

Technical treatment such as physical or speech sessions used to aid recovery after surgery.

variety

A range of different things; a healthy diet should include a wide range of fresh whole foods.

weight

The measurement of how heavy a person is; maintaining a stable level reduces stress on joints.

avoid

A verb meaning to stay away from something; for example, avoiding high-sugar snacks late at night.

counteract

To reduce or remove the effects of something unwanted by producing an opposite effect.

curb

To control, limit, or reduce, such as government policies aiming to reduce adult obesity rates.

cure

To successfully treat a disease; antibiotics are used by doctors to treat specific bacterial infections.

diminish

To decrease, shrink, or reduce in intensity, such as pain lessening after taking medication.

disrupt

To prevent something from happening smoothly; blue light from screens can break sleep patterns.

eliminate

To remove or get rid of; cutting out sugary beverages can remove hundreds of empty calories daily.

maintain

To keep something constant or unchanged, such as drinking water to keep optimal bodily functions.

overdo

To do something to an extreme degree; it is important not to perform workouts to excess.

overeat

To consume too much food, often occurring when a person is feeling emotionally drained.

prevent

To stop something from happening, such as using a fiber-rich diet to stop digestive disorders.

recommend

To suggest or advise; doctors advise getting at least $7-8$ hours of sleep nightly.

recover

To get over an illness; it can take several weeks to fully heal from a major surgical operation.

reduce

To lower, lessen, or cut down on things like stress levels through meditation.

skip

To omit or miss something, such as missing breakfast, which can negatively affect metabolism.

stimulate

To encourage something to become active; caffeine acts on the central nervous system to increase alertness.

trigger

To cause, provoke, or activate a reaction, such as certain foods causing migraine headaches.

acute

A term for an illness that becomes very severe quickly; also used to describe a sharp angle in mathematics.

allergic

Having a hypersensitive reaction to substances; many children are highly reactive to peanuts and seafood.

alternate

To switch between choices or take turns; for example, switching between cardio and strength training days.

brisk

An adjective describing an energetic or quick pace, often used to describe a $30\text{-minute}$ walk.

chronic

A condition persisting for a long time or constantly recurring, such as unmanaged diabetes.

harmful

Damaging or detrimental; excessive sugar consumption has a negative effect on dental hygiene.

healthy

Wholesome, fit, or well; adopting this lifestyle significantly reduces the risk of chronic disease.

infectious

Capable of being transmitted or spread; for example, the flu is an airborne virus that spreads rapidly.

moderate

A medium or reasonable amount; engaging in this level of physical activity daily improves fitness.

obese

A medical condition of having excess body fat; children consuming too many sugary drinks are more likely to reach this state.

overweight

Having a BMI above the normal threshold, which places additional stress on weight-bearing joints.

persistent

Lasting for a long time or being dai dẳng; one should see a doctor if a cough lasts over $2$ weeks.

regular

Frequent, routine, or normal; maintaining these sleep habits helps synchronize the internal clock.

vital

Essential, critical, or pivotal; nutritious food plays a necessary role in immune function.