Obesity

Question 1

What is obesity?

Answer 1

Abnormal fat accumulation that poses a risk to health (WHO)

Question 2

What are the cons of BMI measurement?

Answer 2

It doesn’t take into account muscle mass or ethnicity, and tends to underestimate body fat.

Question 3

What is the prevalence of obesity?

Answer 3

Around 3/4 of those aged btwn 45-74 are overweight or obese. Levels have risen from 15% (1993) to 28% (2019). It is slightly more prevalent in females and is associated with low SES.

Question 4

What mechanism are in place to regulate energy intake and expenditure?

Answer 4

Homeostatic mechanisms are in place for this but they can be easily overcome (obesity).

Question 5

What occurs in the short term when resources are depleted?

Answer 5

When resources e.g., glucose, are depleted, the body secretes ghrelin which is sent to the arc and then generates a signal to promote hunger. Whilst eating, gastrointestinal organs are secreting hormones too which are sent to the arc. The stomach starts to extend and this is detected by mechanoreceptors, which eventually prompts us to stop eating.

Question 6

What occurs in the long term (leptin)?

Answer 6

Leptin restricts dietary intake and makes food less appealing, and reduces food reward.

Question 7

What occurs in terms of fat cells in obesity?

Answer 7

There is an increase in the number (hyperplasia) and size (hypertropy) of fat cells. These produce inflammatory substances, which contributes to local insulin resistance.

Question 8

What is visceral fat?

Answer 8

Considered bad, and sits outside abdominal organs. Tends to have less anti-inflammatory substances in those w/ obesity.

Question 9

What is subcutaneous fat?

Answer 9

Considered healthy - sits outside abdominal walls.

Question 10

What are the social implications for obesity?

Answer 10

Weight bias and stigma.

Question 11

How is weight stigma experienced?

Answer 11

Directly through teasing and bullying. Indirectly, through reduced economic and career opportunities, reduced education.

Question 12

What is the socioecological model of health?

Answer 12

Looks at the interplay btwn individual factors (K & beliefs), interpersonal factors (peers, family), the settings they engage in and the wider policies (laws) and how they interact.

Question 13

What does the socioecological model of health illustrate in terms of obesity?

Answer 13

That it is not just a matter of personal responsibility. That other factors play a part too in the development of it.

Question 14

What is the heritability of weight?

Answer 14

0.5-0.8

Question 15

How many polygenes are involved with common obesity?

Answer 15

200+

Question 16

What is Prader-Willi Syndrome?

Answer 16

When there is abnormalities in chromosome 13, which disrupts the functioning of the hypothalamus (arc).

Question 17

What is the healthy migrant effect?

Answer 17

Migrants have better health status than their population in their native country as well as their host country they inhabit in.

Question 18

What are the 3 ‘trait’ eating behaviours?

Answer 18

Emotional eating, External eating, Dietary restraint.

Question 19

What 2 aspects of dietary intake strongly influence energy intake?

Answer 19

Energy density and portion size.

Question 20

What did Rolls et al. find about water content in foods?

Answer 20

That it was more satiating in food than drinking it separately alongside food.

Question 21

What did Clevens et al. find about physical activity and obesity?

Answer 21

Higher levels of PA were associated with reduced risk of obesity. But they found no association btwn obesity and levels of sedentary behaviour.

Question 22

Does obesity run in families?

Answer 22

Strong evidence that it does, due to the interaction of both the genes and the environment.

Question 23

Food environments

Answer 23

Any opportunity to obtain food including the physical, sociocultural, economic and policy influences at both micro and macro levels.

Question 24

What is more likely to be associated with exposure to takeaway food outlets?

Answer 24

Higher consumption of takeaway foods, higher BMI and greater odds of obesity.

Question 25

What is the obesity care pathway in the UK?

Answer 25

Tier 1 inc universal prevention strategies such as the eatwell guide and ‘better health’ campaign. Tier 2 inc lifestyle preventions such as Weight Watchers. Tier 3 inc specialist services in a clinical setting, creating a personalised plan. And tier 4 is surgery.