Obesity and Eating Disorders - Drivers of obesity Flashcards
Q: What are the effects of a sedentary lifestyle on energy expenditure?
A: A sedentary lifestyle reduces energy expenditure. Exercise increases cellular AMPK, enhancing GLUT 4 activation, glucose uptake, mitochondrial activity, and ATP production. Educating and motivating clients can help reduce sedentary habits.
Q: How does sleep disruption contribute to weight gain?
A: Sleep disruption causes hormonal imbalances, such as increased ghrelin and reduced leptin, promoting hunger and unhealthy food choices. It also reduces glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and activates inflammatory pathways contributing to obesity.
Q: What are some effective sleep hygiene tips?
Take Epsom salt baths.
Avoid blue light before bed.
Address root causes of sleeplessness.
Manage stress.
Use magnesium and B6 supplements.
Try valerian, chamomile, or passionflower teas.
Use Rescue Remedy Night Spray.
Optimize lighting and choose natural fibers.
Q: What role does chronobiology play in obesity?
A: Shift work, sleep deprivation, and late-night eating disrupt circadian rhythms, leading to adiposity, dysregulated triglycerides, cholesterol, T2DM, and CV disease. Night shifts should follow regular eating patterns and avoid sweets and caffeine.
Q: How do processed foods affect appetite regulation?
A: Processed foods stimulate dopamine pathways, creating cravings. The food industry designs a “Bliss Point” combining sugar, fat, and salt to maximize reward, overriding satiety signals. Artificial sweeteners and HFCS are linked to obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Q: What is the connection between high cortisol levels and obesity?
A: Long-term high cortisol (from stress, sleep deprivation, or poor diet) activates the HPA axis, increasing abdominal fat deposition. It also enhances cravings for energy-dense comfort foods and alters eating behaviors.
Q: How does the gut microbiome influence obesity?
A: A disrupted microbiome reduces SCFA production and shifts gut flora towards mucus-utilizing bacteria, damaging the mucosal barrier. Lack of Akkermansia muciniphilia has been linked to metabolic endotoxemia, disrupted insulin signaling, and inflammation.
Q: What role do genetic factors play in obesity?
A: Specific genetic mutations, such as FTO SNPs, VDR SNPs, and ADIPOQ mutations, influence obesity risk by affecting inflammation, gut permeability, adiponectin levels, and sugar consumption habits. Understanding genetic profiles can guide interventions.
