Obesity
Print This Post
Glossary
Aerobic: Aerobic means air but specifically means using oxygen in the air.
Allergy: Sensitivity of an individual to certain substances (allergens) which are harmless to most other people.
Amino Acid: A chemical compound mainly occuring naturally in plant and animal tissues and forming the basic constituent of protein.
Anaerobic: Means without air or oxygen.
Appetite: Appetite is the natural desire for food, a pleasant sensation, aroused by the thoughts and the pleasure you get from eating certain foods with appealing taste, texture or aroma. It is not the same as hunger.
Antibody: Any of a class of blood proteins (immunoglobins) produced in the body in response to and countering antigens.
Antigen: A foreign substance (e.g. a toxin) which induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies.
Antioxidants: These are biological substances (e.g. vitamins A, C or E) that slow oxidation and protect against cell damage caused by oxygen free radicals.
Balanced Diet: A diet that contains all six essential food groups i.e. carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and water in proper proportions and in quantity that is adequate for current needs of the body as well as for the needs in future. It provides requisite energy, maintains health and vitality and provides fibre (roughage).
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): It is essentially a measure of the minimum amount of energy (calories) the body burns when you are awake but sitting still or lying down doing nothing just being alive to maintain basic bodily functions, such as breathing, heart beat.
Beta-carotene: A derivative of vitamin A, widely accepted as a cancer preventative. Carotene is a yellowish plant pigment which can be converted in the body to vitamin A.
Bile: A greenish brown fluid secreted by the Liver which aids in the emulsification of fats.
Bioflavonoids: Strong antioxidant phytochemicals found next to the peel in many fruits, are essential for the stability and absorption of ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
Blood Pressure: The pressure exerted by the flow of blood as it is pumped by the heart through the main arteries. This is often measured for diagnosis since it is closely related to the force and rate of the heart beat and the diameter and the elasticity of the arterial walls.
Body mass Index (BMI): An index that measures the relationship between height and weight. This is calculated by dividing the body weight in kilograms by the square of the height in meters.
Calorie: A calorie or Kilocalorie is the unit of energy supplied by food. One unit (calorie) is the measure of the exact amount of heat required to increase the temperature of 1,000 grams of water by 10C
