KA8- Blood Glucose Levels And Obesity

Question 1

Chronic elevated blood glucose levels

Answer 1

Chronic elevation of blood glucose levels leads to the endothelium cells taking in more glucose than normal, damaging the blood vessels.
Atherosclerosis may develop leading to cardiovascular disease, stroke or peripheral vascular disease.
Small blood vessels damaged by elevated glucose levels may result in haemorrhage of blood vessels in the retina, renal failure of peripheral nerve dysfunction.

Question 2

Pancreatic receptors response to lowered blood glucose levels

Answer 2

By increasing secretion of glucagon from the pancreas.
Glucagon activates the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver increasing blood glucose concentration.

Question 3

During exercise and fight or flight responses

Answer 3

glucose concentrations in the blood are raised by adrenaline, released from the adrenal glands, stimulating glucagon secretion and inhibiting insulin secretion

Question 4

Obesity

Answer 4

is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
is characterised by excess body fat in relation to lean body tissue such as muscle.
may impair health.

Question 5

Body mass index

Answer 5

is commonly used to measure obesity but can wrongly classify muscular individuals as obese
greater than 30 indicates obesity

Weight (kg)
—————
Height^2(m)

Question 6

Role of diet in reducing obesity and CVD

Answer 6

Obesity is linked to high fat diets.
The energy intake in the diet should limit fats and free sugars, as fats have a high calorific value per gram and free sugars require no metabolic energy to be expended in their digestion.

Question 7

Role of exercise in reducing obesity and CVD

Answer 7

Obesity is linked to a decrease in physical activity.
Exercise increases energy expenditure and preserves lean tissue. Exercise can help to reduce risk factors for CVD by keeping weight under control, minimising stress, reducing hypertension and improving blood lipid profiles.