Obesity I Flashcards
(68 cards)
What is the basic definition of obesity?
Increased body weight due to excessive accumulation of fat
How is obesity defined in terms of body fat accumulation and health impact?
Obesity is defined as increased body weight due to excessive accumulation of fat, and also as a disease where excess body fat has accumulated to the point of adversely affecting health
What are some health risks associated with obesity?
increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers
What is ectopic fat?
excess adipose tissue that is not classically associated with adipose storage, such as fat around the heart or kidney
What is the role of ectopic fat in the health risks associated with obesity?
Ectopic fat, which is fat stored in unusual places such as the heart and kidneys, significantly increases the risk of cardiometabolic disease.
What is the significance of adipocytes as endocrine cells in the context of obesity?
Adipocytes, or fat cells, function as endocrine cells that secrete various hormones and substances like adiponectin, leptin, and FFAs. These secretions play a role in metabolic and inflammatory processes linked to obesity.
How does obesity contribute to the development of Type 2 Diabetes?
Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, leads to increased free fatty acids (FFAs), which are taken up by the liver and increase gluconeogenesis, which can result in hyperglycemia and eventually Type 2 Diabetes
What is HbA1c?
Average blood sugar over the last 2-3 months
What are some risk factors for Type 2 diabetes?
Low physical activity, aging, genetics, and obesity, especially abdominal obesity.
How does excess fat affect the liver?
It increases gluconeogenesis and can lead to dyslipoproteinemia (abnormal levels of lipoproteins in blood).
How does excess fat affect adipose tissue?
It reduces the antilipolytic effect of insulin, leading to a greater breakdown of fats and release of FFAs
How does excess fat affect skeletal muscle?
It causes insulin resistance, reduced glucose uptake, and reduced oxidative potential
How does excess fat affect the pancreas?
It causes hyperinsulinemia and potential beta-cell “failure”.
What is lipolysis?
The breakdown of lipids
What is the diagnostic criteria for hypertension?
Systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg. More recent guidelines use ≥130 mmHg and/or ≥80 mmHg.
How is obesity related to hypertension?
Obesity is increasingly recognized as a subtype of hypertension, that responds to weight loss and salt restriction
What percentage of overweight/obese individuals have hypertension?
40%
What percentage of normal-weight individuals have hypertension?
16%
What is primary (essential) hypertension?
High blood pressure with no obvious underlying cause, often associated with aging (90-95% of cases)
What is secondary hypertension?
Hypertension caused by other conditions, such as kidney problems, artery issues, or diseases
How does the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) relate to obesity and hypertension?
The SNS is elevated in both obesity and hypertension, which can be due to impaired baroreflex, increased leptin, FFAs, and angiotensin
What factors cause increased SNS activity in obesity and hypertension?
Impaired baroreflex, increased leptin, FFAs, and angiotensin.
angiotensin= hormone that regulates BP by increasing it
How do adipocytes contribute to vascular dysfunction?
Increased adipocytes result in inflammation which alters vascular function
What is adiponectin?
A hormone secreted exclusively by adipocytes