Overweight and Obesity

Question 1

How is BMI measured?

Answer 1

Weight (kg) / Height (m) sqrd

Question 2

What are the different BMI categories?

Answer 2

< 18.5 = Underweight
18.5 - 25 = Normal
25 - 30 = Overweight
30 + = Obese
40 + = Morbidly Obese

Question 3

Aside from BMI, what other parameter can be measured to define overweight / obesity?

Answer 3

Waist circumference

Question 4

For a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, 3 of more of what must be applicable?

Answer 4

• Abdominal obesity
• Hypertriglyceridaemia
• Low HDL Cholesterol
• Hypertension
• Fasting hyperglycaemia

Question 5

What two populations of neurones in the hypothalamus primarily regulate appetite? What receptors do they act on?

Answer 5

Neurones which:

Release melanocortic-stimulating hormone which act on MC3 and MC4 receptors (reduce appetite)

Releasing neuropeptide Y which act via Y1 and Y5 receptors (increase appetite)

Question 6

Which hormones released by adipose tissue and the stomach control appetite?

Answer 6

Leptin from adipose tissue (reduces appetite)

Ghrelin from stomach tissue (increases appetite)

Question 7

State four ways of measuring Energy Stores

Answer 7

1. X-Ray Imaging Techniques
2. Electrical conductivity of the body
3. Body density
4. Doubly labelled water method

Question 8

Describe the “Doubly Labelled Water Method”

Answer 8

Doubly labeled water is water in which both the hydrogen and the oxygen have been partly or completely replaced (i.e. labelled) with an uncommon isotope