Understanding the Obesity Epidemic Part 2

A set of 40 vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to the obesity epidemic, including hormones, types of fat, metabolic processes, and implications for health.

Ghrelin

Known as the 'hunger hormone', it stimulates appetite and increases food intake.

Adipose Tissue

Loose connective tissue made of adipocytes (fat cells) that stores fat and provides insulation.

Triglycerides

The most common type of fat in the body, which circulates in blood and stores fatty acids.

HDL Cholesterol

High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, often referred to as 'good' cholesterol that helps remove other cholesterol.

Physiological Hunger

The physical need for food driven by physiological mechanisms.

Psychosocial Factors

Social and psychological influences that affect hunger and eating behaviors.

Post-ingestive Influences

The effects on hunger and satiety that occur after eating based on hormonal changes in the bloodstream.

Blood Glucose Measurement

A test to diagnose diabetes by measuring blood sugar levels after a fast.

Visceral Fat

Fat that is stored in the abdominal cavity and surrounds internal organs.

Subcutaneous Fat

Fat that is stored directly under the skin.

Obesity

Condition characterized by excessive body fat that presents health risks.

Densitometry

A method used to assess body composition, often through underwater weighing.

Hydrodensitometry

An accurate measurement technique for body fat using underwater weighing.

DEXA Scan

Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, a method used to measure body fat and bone density.

Metabolic Syndrome

A cluster of conditions that increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Meta-inflammation

A systemic, chronic inflammatory state associated with obesity.

Adipokines

Cell-signaling proteins released by adipose tissue that regulate metabolism and inflammation.

Leptin

A hormone produced by adipose cells that regulates energy balance and suppresses hunger.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY)

A neurotransmitter that stimulates appetite and promotes food intake.

Macrophages

Immune cells that can be pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory, playing roles in metabolic health.

Hypothalamus

The brain region that regulates hunger, temperature, and feeding behavior.

Adiponectin

An anti-inflammatory adipokine that helps maintain metabolic function.

Prader-Willi Syndrome

A rare genetic disorder causing excessive eating and morbid obesity due to hormonal imbalances.

JAK2 Signaling

A pathway activated by leptin that regulates gene transcription related to appetite and metabolism.

Energy Homeostasis

The balance between energy intake and energy expenditure in the body.

Orexigenic

Referring to appetite-stimulating signals or hormones.

Anorexigenic

Referring to appetite-inhibiting signals or hormones.

Insulin

A hormone that regulates glucose levels and has also effects on fat metabolism.

CART (Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript)

A peptide that inhibits appetite.

POMC (Proopiomelanocortin)

A precursor protein that can produce several peptides including those that suppress appetite.

Obesity Diagnosis

Classified by BMI, body fat percentage, and waist circumference measurements.

Increased Leptin Levels

Associated with obesity, indicating body fat but can lead to leptin resistance.

Hypogonadism

A condition resulting from low testosterone or estrogen levels often associated with obesity.

Hunger Signals

Biological cues that inform the brain of the need to eat.

Energy Metabolism

The process by which the body converts food into energy.

Pro-inflammatory Adipokines

Adipokines that may lead to metabolic dysfunction, like leptin and resistin.

Lipid Metabolism

The set of processes that break down fats and convert them into energy.

Kinesins

Motor proteins that move along microtubules in cells and play roles in transporting various cellular components.

Macrophage Polarization

The process by which macrophages differentiate into pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory types.