Obesity & Eating Disorders

Question 1

Define obesity.

Answer 1

Medical term for an accumulation of body fat which may have a negative affect on health.

Question 2

Define overweight.

Answer 2

An excess of body weight relative to height.

Question 3

How can sleep disturbances or lack of sleep contribute to the development of T2D?

Answer 3

Sleep loss = altered glucose metabolism.
Sleep loss = up-regulation of appetite.
Sleep loss = lower energy expenditure.

Question 4

How can stress lead to weight gain?

Answer 4

During stress, eating behaviour can change for 80% of people - half eat less, half eat more. Common misconception that stress = weight loss.

Question 5

What is Hyperplastic obesity?

Answer 5

Increased number of fat cells exist throughout the body. The number depends primarily on the diet of the mother while the person was still in the womb and early infant nutrition.

Question 6

What is Hypertrophic obesity

Answer 6

An increase in the size of each fat cell.
Waist is larger than the hips = android obesity.
Hips are larger than waist = gynecoid obesity.

Question 7

Visceral Abdominal Fat (VAT) is metabolically active and is therefore thought of as what? State 2 things is produces.

Answer 7

An endocrine organ.

1. IL-6 (a pro-inflammatory cytokine).
2. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α).
3. Adipokines such as cytokines, leptin, adiponectin, and resistin.

Question 8

What is leptin? Explain covering TAG and neuropeptide Y.

Answer 8

A satiety hormone, regulates appetite and energy balance of the body. Produced by adipocytes when they are ‘full’ of tri-acyl-glycerides (TAG). Leptin acts at the level of the hypothalamus and down-regulates neuropeptide Y, leading to decreased hunger, increased activity and increased thermogenesis.

Question 9

What is leptin resistance?

Answer 9

Desensitisation for the leptin signal.

Question 10

How is the stomach directly involved in feeling of fullness?

Answer 10

The mechanical stretch of the stomach via the vagus nerve.

Question 11

What is Ghrelin and how is it involved in obesity/eating?

Answer 11

Produced in the stomach and plays a role in long-term regulation of energy metabolism and the short-term regulation of feeding - increasing food intake. Low in obese individuals and high in underweight.

Question 12

Explain Adiponectin’s role in hunger/feeding?

Answer 12

We have more adiponectin the less ‘full’ our fat cells. Lowered levels are also associated with insulin resistance.

Question 13

State 4 actions of insulin.

Answer 13

1. Inhibits gluconeogenesis (eneration of glucose in liver).
2. Stimulates glucose uptake in skeletal muscle.
3. Stimulates glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscle.
4. Reduces hunger via the hypothalamus.
5. Increases synthesis of liver glycogen, thereby increasing glucose uptake and storage.
6. Stimulates synthesis of triglycerides from free fatty acids.
7. Inhibits release of free fatty acids from triglycerides.

Question 14

Discuss 5HT (serotonin) in relation to obesity.

Answer 14

Potentially a genetic predisposition for low activity of tryptophan hydroxylase which converts tryptophan to serotonin = natures own appetite suppressant.

Question 15

Increased saturation of the muscle membrane with omega 3 fatty acids is associated with what?

Answer 15

Improved insulin sensitivity.

Question 16

Green Tea may help to stimulate what which may help weight loss?

Answer 16

Thermogenesis.

Question 17

How can chromium supplementation be helpful for weight loss?

Answer 17

Lower body weight yet increase lean body mass - increased insulin sensitivity.

Question 18

Suggest 2 supplements leptin resistance may be improved by.

Answer 18

1. Carnitine - associated with improved lipid metabolism.
2. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) - increased lipolysis.
3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids - improved insulin sensitivity.

Question 19

Define the term ‘eating disorder’.

Answer 19

An unhealthy relationship with food, that takes over or severely effects a person’s health and well being.

Question 20

What are the 2 main theories of eating disorders?

Answer 20

1. An outward manifestation of how someone is feeling inside.
2. Bio-Chemical imbalance.

Question 21

Sate 2 characteristics of anorexia nervosa.

Answer 21

1. Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming obese.
2. Refusal to maintain body weight at or above minimum.
3. Amenorrhea.
4. Disturbance in the way in which one’s body weight or shape is experienced.

Question 22

What is the most talked about nutrient deficiency in anorexia?

Answer 22

Zinc - symptoms are the same.

Question 23

50mg of ______ given before each meal and gradual calorie intake can help to prevent re-feeding syndrome in anorexia.

Answer 23

Thiamine.

Question 24

State 3 potential nutritional aims when working with someone with anorexia?

Answer 24

1. Support a gradual raise in the BMI through the use of nutrient dense foods,
2. Encourage a healthy relationship with food.
3. Educate the client about food and nutrition.
4. Support optimal absorption of nutrients and healthy gut function.

Question 25

Define bulimia nervosa.

Answer 25

Episodes of secretive excessive bingeing followed by

inappropriate compensatory methods of weight control such as vomiting or abuse of laxatives and diuretics.

Question 26

Define binge eating disorder.

Answer 26

Chaotic, fast and often erratic periods of overeating until full and beyond a level of comfortable satiety.