Weight Management Flashcards
Body Weight and Body Composition: Defining healthy body weight
- what should be the primary focus of weight management efforts?
- The criterion of fashion: unrealistic ideals
- accepting a healthy body weight
- the criterion of health
- Obesity is a major chronic disease risk factor
- Range of healthy body weights the promote good health and longevity
Body Mass Index
- Weight in kg / height in m2 OR
- Weight in lb/ height in inches2 x 703
healthy weight
BMI 18.5 to 24.9
Underweight
BMI <18.5
Overweight
BMI 25.0 to 29.9
Obese =
BMI > 30
Body composition
- Diagnosis of overweight/obesity requires a BMI value plus some measure of body composition and fat distribution
- Central obesity
Visceral fat: fat stored within the abdominal cavity in association with abdominal organs - what are the health concerns associated with central obesity?
Central obesity
“Apple profile” of central obesity
- common in postmenopausal women and even more common in men
- Influential factors: smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity
“Pear profile” created by subcutaneous fat
Waist circumference
- Good indicator of fat distribution and central obesity
- High risk: > 35 inches for women or > 40 inches for men
Skinfold measures
- accurate estimate of total body fat and a fair assessment of the fat’s location
How much body fat is too much?
- Depends partly on the person
- Man within recommended BMI: 18% to 24% fat composition
- Woman within recommended BMI: 23% to 31% body fat
- Athletes: 5% to 10% for men, 15% to 20% for women
Health Risks of Obesity
- hypertension
- type 2 diabetes
- (high blood lipids, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, abdominal hernias, some cancers, varicose veins, gout, gallbladder disease, kidney stones, respiratory problems)
- Social stigma, prejudice
- Increased costs
- Insurance premiums
- Clothing
Causes of Obesity
- Genetics and weight
- Genes influence eating behaviour and weight
- Impact of body composition
- Complex interactions among genes
- Interrelated with environment factors
Genetics and Weight: Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL)
“lets store more fat!”
- cell surface enzyme that hydrolyzes triglycerides and promotes fat storage
- higher level of LPL activity in fat cells of obese people - makes fat storage efficient
Genetics and Weight: Leptin
- protein (hormone) coded for by obesity (ob) gene
- suppresses the appetite. After you eat a massive meal and have storage, leptin is produced and tells you you are full and do not need to eat anytime soon. It is a hormone that helps with natural regulation of feasting and fasting in normal routines