Glossary of Weight Loss Terms
|
| Word or Phrase |
Definition
|
| Activity |
Movement, usually of incidental kind, as opposed to exercise which implies more organised movement.
|
| Adiponectin |
Recently discovered hormone, produced in fat cells, and sensitising body to effect of insulin
|
| Adolescence |
Period of rapid growth preceding adulthood
|
| Aerobic Exercise |
Usually meaning low intensity exercise of endurance type, such that oxygen can be supplied at an adequate rate
|
Alcohol
|
Drinks containing ethyl aclohol; calories, about 7 per gram
|
Amino Acid
|
Complex molecules which join together in chains to form proteins
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Anaerobic Exercise
|
Usually meaning higher intensity exercise such that the rate of supply of oxygen is inadequate and fuel is needed without oxygen taking part in the reaction e.g. lifting weights, 100 M sprint
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| Appetite |
The desire for food or drink, and commonly taken to mean the desire for a particular food or drink
|
Appetite
Suppressants
|
Medication, usually acting on the brain, which reduces the desire for food and drink
|
Arm Extension
|
A resistance exercise for triceps muscle
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Atkins Diet
|
A low carbohydrate, high protein diet devised by Dr Robert Atkins
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Beta-Blockers
|
A group of medicines used for 1) some heart conditions, 2) for treatment of blood pressure, and which slow heart rate
|
Biceps Curl
|
A resistance exercise for biceps muscle
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Blood Pressure
|
Commonly written as BP, measures the pressure in main arteries, and if persistently high is associated with increased risk of cardiovasacular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes
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Blood Sugar
|
Common term for level of glucose in the blood, either fasting or randomly
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BMI
|
Stands for Body Mass Index. Calculated by dividing weight in Kg by height in metres squared. Normal 20-25, overweight 25-30, obese > 30 but modified depending on ethnic race.
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BSL - Blood Sugar Level
|
Usually taken to mean the blood glucose level from a finger prick test of blood and can be random or fasting
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Calorie Controlled Diets
|
Diet tailored to a specific individual, taking into account their food likes and dislikes and calculated to produce weight loss by being lower than their calorie output.
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Calories
|
An older unit of energy. If food were burned it would give off so many calories of energy. In exercise, energy is used up to perform the work, often measured in calories. Now being replaced by kilojoules. Calories X 4.18 = kilojoules
|
Carbohydrate
|
A macronutrient containing strings of carbons with hydrogens and oxygens attached, found in plants and including rice, cereals, fruits, etc
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Central Obesity
|
An excess of body fat found mainly about the abdomen and chest (rather than an excess of fat found evenly distributed over the body)
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Chafing
|
Skin irritation from movement, where two skin surfaces rub together, or skin rubbing excessively against clothes
|
| Chest Press |
A resistance exercise for pectoral muscles in the chest
|
Cholesterol
|
A fatty substance mainly produced in the liver but which in excess can gradually obstruct arteries
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Cognitive
Techniques
|
A thinking technique in which the automatic thoughts are observed, analysed and if found to be problematic, are changed to more rational thoughts
|
| Concentration Curl |
A resistance exercise for the biceps muscle
|
CPAP
|
Stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure - a machine used in some sleep apnea patients to keep airways more fully open while sleeping
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Crunches
|
An abdomenal exercise for rectus abdomenus muscle
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CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet
|
A diet published in 2005 with intention of helping to lose weight
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Cushings Syndrome
|
A medical condition in which excess cortisone is produced resulting in puffy cheeks, weight gain etc. It can occur when cortisone is prescribed for a medical condition requiring long term treatment
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Depression
|
A mental state of low mood, loss of interest, lethargy lasting for weeks or months
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Diabetes - Type I
|
A medical condition in which the pancreas stops producing insulin and injections of insulin are needed for survival
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Diabetes - Type II
|
A medical condition in which the pancreas may produce adequate insulin but the insulin is not fully effective, often due to excess body fat
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Diethylpropion
|
An appetite suppressant used for treatment of obesity, trade name Tenuate
|
Dumbbell
Fly
|
A resistance exercise for the pectoral muscles
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Duration
|
The length of time exercise is maintained
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Duromine
|
Trade name of an appetite suppressant used for treatment of obesity, proper name phentermine
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| Eating Patterns |
Refers to the timing of meals through the day
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Endurance
|
Refers to a type of exercise, aerobic exercise, in which the effort is maintained over longer periods of time
|
| Estrogen |
A female hormone produced mainly in ovaries
|
Exercise Bike
|
A stationary bike used for exercise, either upright like a bicycle, or recumbent, like sitting in a chair.
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Exercise Diaries
|
A method of recording all exercise, and sometimes type of exercise, often recorded daily, and used as a technique to enhance focus on performing sufficient exercise for weight loss
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Fats
|
One of the macronutients in food, having 9 calories per gram
|
Fatty Acids
|
Molecules of long chains of carbons with an acid group attached, several of which join together to form various lipids and body fats
|
| Fertility |
The ability to conceive a child
|
Fibre
|
Refers to the non-digestable portion of foods, not absorbed into the blood, found in plant products
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Food Diaries
|
A method of recording all foods and drinks, often daily, and used as a technique to enhance focus on food intake for purpose of weight loss, or weight maintenance
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Frequency
|
Most often used to describe how often exercise occurs
|
| Frying |
Method of preparing foods by heating in oils/fats
|
Genetics
|
Refers to the inheritable characteristics of a person. The traits are passed from parent to offspring by DNA
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Ghrelin
|
A hormone produced largely in the lining of the stomach and which is suppressed by eating and rises as time passes after a meal and strongly influences feeling of hunger
|
Glucose
|
A carbohydrate macronutrient which circulates in blood and serves as the fuel for body reactions
|
Glycaemic Index GI
|
A number between 1 and 100 expressing the rate at which the food raises blood glucose levels; low numbers raise glucose slowly
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Gout
|
A form of arthritis in which uric acid crystals precipitate in a joint or tendon causing inflammation
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Grilling
|
A method of cooking food, especially meat, by exposure to heat but not in contact with oils or solutions
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Growth Hormone
|
A hormone produced in the pituitary gland in the brain which influences growth in childhood and in adulthood has several functions relating to muscles, carbohydrate metabolism etc
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HDL-Cholesterol
|
High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, one fraction of the total cholesterol, in which cholesterol is transported back to the liver to be got rid of, and considered the good form of cholesterol, hence the higher the better
|
Heart Rate Monitor
|
A device usually worn on the chest, with a wrist watch which displays heart rate during exercise
|
| Hunger |
An eager desire for food, often experienced as a feeling in the stomach
|
| Hyopglycaemia |
Low blood glucose level
|
| Hyperglycaemia |
High blood glucose level
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Hypothalamus
|
Part of the brain controlling many automatic body functions and containing several nuclei which influence sensations of hunger and appetite and food seeking
|
| Hypothyroidism |
Underactive thyroid gland
|
Impedance Metres
|
Devices which give a reading for percent body fat by sending tiny currents through the body, often hand held
|
Insulin
|
A hormone secreted by the pancreas into blood and essential for metabolism of glucose, fats and proteins
|
Insulin Resistance
|
A state of requiring higher insulin levels to produce correct glucose levels in the blood, and often due to excess body fat or inadequate exercise levels
|
Intensity
|
A way to describe the degree of effort being expended for exercise, often measured as heart rate
|
| Isolation Curl |
A resistance exercise for the biceps muscle
|
Jogging
|
Exercise slower than running but faster than shuffling, in which one foot may still be in contact with the ground at any one time [shuffling, jogging, running]
|
Kilojoules
|
The preferred unit of energy. If food were burned it would give off so many kilojoules of energy. In exercise, energy is used up to perform the work, often measured in kilojoules. Largely replacing the term calories. Calories X 4.18 = Kilojoules
|
Lap-Banding
|
Stands for laparascopic banding. A surgical procedure for treatment of obesity in which an adjustable band is inserted around the outside of the stomach, within the abdominal cavity.
|
| Lats Pulldown |
A resistance exercise for the latissimus dorsi muscle
|
LDL-Cholesterol
|
Low density lipoprotein cholesterol, a fraction of the total cholesterol and considered to be the bad form of cholesterol because it can be deposited in artery walls if in excess in the blood
|
| Leg Extension |
A resistance exercise for the quadriceps muscle
|
| Leg Press |
A resistance exercise for the quadriceps muscle
|
Leptin
|
A hormone produced in fat cells and influential in carbohydrate metabolism, hunger, metabolic rate and fertility
|
Lipases
|
Enzymes produced in the pancreas and the lining of the small bowel which break large molecules of fatty food into smaller particles such that they can then be absorbed into the blood
|
| Lunges |
A resistance exercise for the quadriceps, and gluteal muscles
|
Maximum Heart
Rate
|
The highest rate the heart will pump under heavy work loads, genetically determined and influenced by age
|
| Menopause |
The period of life in women in which ovulation ceases and estrogen levels fall
|
Metabolic Rate
|
Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the rate each person burns up energy when at rest. A certain minimum energy is used each minute for maintaining body temperature and the heart beating.This value differs between individuals on the basis of genetics, gender, age and activity levels
|
Metabolic Syndrome
|
A group of biochemical abnormalities of cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin levels, BP and most often found in people with abdomenal obesity. It predisposes to premature heart disease
|
Metamucil
|
A brand name for a powder made from the husk of the psyllium seed and used to increase dietary fibre
|
| Military Press |
A resistance exercise for the deltoid muscle
|
Monounsaturated
Fats
|
A fat or oil such as olive oil in which the chain of fatty acids has only 1 double bond in each chain, and thought to be better for heart and vascular health compared to saturated fats
|
Motivation
|
That which induces a person to act, such as through desire to achieve something or fear of something
|
| Muscle Mass |
Number of kilograms of muscle a person has; determines metabolic rate
|
N.E.A.T.
|
Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. The movement each day which is not specifically exercise and includes fidgeting, using stairs etc
|
| National Weight Control Registry |
14 year USA study following patients who have lost weight and kept it off and comparing with those who have lost weight and regained
|
Non-Exercise
Activity Thermogenesis |
N.E.A.T. The day-to-day movement, other than exercise, but which still contributes to total calories used up.
|
| Noradrenalin |
Hormone which occupies synapses between nerves and acts as neurotransmitter.
|
| Obesity |
Significantly overweight. Usually defined as BMI > 30. Medically, correlates with sharp increase in risk of disease
|
| Oils |
Liquid fats commonly referring to plant fats such as olive oil, corn oil, canola oil etc
|
| Orlistat |
Generic name for medication, Xenical, which inhibits absorption of dietary oils/fats to produce weight loss
|
| Osteoarthritis |
Wear and tear type of joint degeneration, especially common in weight bearing joints in those who are overweight
|
| Overhead Press |
A resistance exercise for the deltoid muscle
|
| Overweight |
Usually defined as BMI between 25 and 30, hence overweight but not obese
|
| PCOS |
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
|
| Pec Dec |
A resistance exercise for the pectoral muscles
|
| Pedometers |
Small electronic device worn on the belt measuring the number of steps taken or distance walked
|
Percent (%) body
fat |
Measure of amount of fat in body expressed as percent of total body weight
|
| Personal Trainer |
Person trained to lead an individual in an exercise program
|
| Phentermine |
Generic name for medication, Duromine, a prescription appetite suppressant
|
| Plateau |
Period of no weight loss, commonly after 8-12 Kg weight loss
|
| Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
Medical condition in women includes low estrogen, high androgen, and insulin resistance, often associated with overweight
|
Polyunsaturated
Fats |
A fat or oil such as corn oil in which the chain of fatty acids has more than 1 double bond in each chain, and thought to be better for heart and vascular health compared to saturated fats
|
| Pressure |
Life's events which exert an influence on the ease with which one copes with day-to-day life
|
Progesterone
|
Female hormone secreted by ovaries
|
| Proteins |
One of the macronutients in food, having 4 calories per gram, composed of strings of amino acids
|
| Reductil |
Trade name for sibutramine, medication used to induce weight loss, acts as enhancer of satiety
|
| Refined Carbohydrates |
A macronutrient containing strings of carbons with hydrogens and oxygens attached, found in plants and including rice, cereals, fruits, etc but in which the fibre has been largely removed, often used in processed foods
|
| Relapses |
Loss of focus on foods and exercise, after a period of weight loss, and often resulting in weight gain
|
| Resistance Training |
Exercises, usually using dumbbells, barbells or machines, to work muscles, often at a gym, also called weight training
|
| Running |
Exercise in which the rate of movement is such that both feet are off the ground between strides, fastest form of running [shuffling, jogging, running]
|
| Satiety |
Feeling of fulfillment in the search for food, usually coming about from a filling meal, and often signally the end of that episode of eating
|
| Satiety Centre |
Portion of the brain which recognises intake of food and signals to stop eating, at a certain point
|
| Saturated Fats |
A fat or oil such as lard in which the chain of fatty acids has no double bonds, and thought to be a contribution to heart and vascular disease compared to monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats
|
| Seated Row |
A resistance exercise for the trapezius, deltoid and some other back muscles
|
| Self - Monitoring |
Method of checking on exercise and foods, on regular basis, for purposes of controlling body weight, often by use of food and exercise diaries
|
| Self-discipline |
Control over basic impulses such as the desire to seek food
|
| Serotonin |
Hormone which occupies synapses between nerves and acts as neurotransmitter.
|
| Shuffling |
Exercise in which the rate of movement is slow enough such that at least one foot is in contact with the ground between strides, slowest form of running [shuffling, jogging, running]
|
| Sibutramine |
Generic name for Reductil, medication used to induce weight loss, acts as enhancer of satiety
|
| Sit Ups |
A resistance exercise for the abdomenal muscles
|
| Sleep Apnea |
Pauses in breathing, during sleep, interferring with adequate refreshing sleep, common in the overweight individual
|
| Snacks |
Small meals between the main meals
|
| SNRI |
Group of antidepressant medications known as serotonin and noradrenalin re-uptake inhibitors
|
| Speed of Eating |
Time taken to consume normal portion of a meal, and relates to feelings of satiety
|
| SSRI |
Group of antidepressant medications known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors
|
| Stress |
Effect on person from an excess of life's pressures and often presenting with symptoms such as headache or fatigue etc
|
| Target Heart Rate |
Heart rate range during exercise to produce a specific training effect or weight loss effect
|
| Tenuate |
An appetite suppressant used for treatment of obesity, generic name diethylpropion
|
| Testosterone |
Male hormone secreted mainly from testicles and giving male characteristics
|
| Thermogenesis |
Production of body heat and a measure of metabolic activity
|
| Thyroid Gland |
Gland in the neck producing thyroxine, a hormone, which regulates metabolic rate
|
| Treadmill |
Machine used at gyms in which the action is somewhat like walking or running
|
| Triceps Pushdown |
A resistance exercise for the triceps muscle
|
| Triglycerides |
Fat in blood, a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases
|
Underwater
Weighing |
Gold-standard for measurement of percent body fat
|
| Upright Row |
A resistance exercise for the trapezius muscle
|
Very Low Calorie
Diets - VLCD |
Usually about 700 calories per day, a meal replacement type of weight loss program of more radical type
|
| VO2max |
Rate of oxygen use under maximal aerobic metabolism
|
| Waist Circumference |
Measurement of maximum circumference of abdomen, in centimetres, and predictor of risk of disease
|
| Waist Hip Ratio |
Waist measurement divided by hip measurement, in cms, and ideally < .8 for woman and < .9 for male
|
| Weight Cycling |
Repeated episodes of weight loss and regain, often regaining more than lost
|
| Weight Training |
Resistance exercises usually using dumbbells, barbells or machines, to work muscles, often at a gym
|
| Willpower |
Deliberate control over the impulses. Also the level of self-control
|
| Xenical |
Trade name for medication, orlistat, which inhibits absorption of dietary oils/fats to produce weight loss
|
| X-Trainer |
Machine used at gyms in which the action is somewhat like cross-country skiing
|
Yo-Yo Weight
Pattern |
Repeated episodes of weight loss and regain, often regaining more than lost
|
