Obesity Dictionary

addiction: A condition in which an individual is emotionally, mentally and physically compelled to use a substance (either legal or illegal) or perform an activity despite clear evidence of its harmful affects on that person.

adipose: Fat or a substance of a fatty nature.

amphetamines: A class of illegal stimulant drugs that affect the central nervous system and tend to release social inhibitions and make the user feel more powerful and competent. Also known as “uppers,” amphetamines include Dexedrine, Methedrine and cocaine.

anorectics: Also known as anorexigencis or appetite suppressants, anorextics are a type of drug that restrains one’s appetite. Anorectics may be used to treat obesity, but, because the tend to be amphetamines, most experts discourage their use for long-term treatment.

antidepressants: A class of drugs used to treat cases of depression. Common antidepressants include Prozac® and Wellbutrin®.

apnea: A condition marked by a stop or pause in breathing. While some experience apnea while sleeping, this condition is often related to obesity.

appetite suppressant: Also known as anorectics, appetite suppressants are a group of drugs meant to repress feelings of hunger so that an individual eats less. Often, appetite suppressants that are amphetamines are unsafe to use as obesity treatments.

aspartame: Commonly known as NutraSweet®, aspartame is a calorie-free artificial sweetener that replaces sugar in food products, namely diet or diabetic-friendly foods.

bariatric surgery: A weight-loss operation only performed on those with body mass indexes (BMIs) over 40 that focuses on the stomach and/or intestines. Bariatric surgery is generally only used to treat the morbidly obese.

behavior modification: The process of teaching a patient new techniques and skills so that he can change his behavior and establish healthier patterns in his life.

binge eating: The act of uncontrollably eating excessive amounts of food in a very short period of time. Binge eating is usually done in private settings and associated with shame and guilt. In general, periods of binge eating are preceded and followed by periods of purging, either through throwing up, not eating or excessively exercising.

BMI (Body Mass Index): A ratio of a person’s weight to height that measures the percentage of body fat he or she has. While a BMI that falls in the range of 21 to 25 is normal, those within the 25 to 29 range are overweight. BMIs over 30 are classified as obese.

calorie: A scientific measurement equal to the amount of energy needed to heat up one gram of water one degree Celsius. In terms of food, a calorie represents the energy that food holds. A food calorie is equal to 1,000 scientific calories.

cannaboids: A class of substances similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana. Like marijuana, cannaboids alter the brain’s chemistry and tend to have depressive, sedative effects.

carbohydrates: Along with calories, carbohydrates are a source of energy found in foods. Carbohydrates are the starches and sugars in certain grains, vegetables and breads.

cardiovascular: A term that describes anything associated with the heart, lungs, blood vessels and/or circulatory system.

diabetes: A chronic, incurable condition marked by the body’s inability to produce or process insulin, causing sugars to dangerously accrue in the blood.

diuretic: Any product that promotes water loss and urination.

estrogen: An ovary-produced hormone that triggers the growth of female sex organs, as well as the start of the female menstruation cycle.