| A |
| AMINO ACIDS |
The building blocks of protein. |
| ANOREXIA |
Eating Disorder that leads to a potentially fatal low body weight. |
| ANTHROPOMETRIC |
Relating to measurement of the physical characteristics of the body such as height and weight. |
| B |
BCA
(Body Composition Analysis) |
Determines percent of body fat and percent of lean body tissue (lean body mass). |
| BEHAVIORAL GUIDANCE |
Provides nutritional counseling to learn proper eating habits. |
| BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION |
The changing of behavior by the manipulation of cues and environment factors that trigger behavior. The changing of behavior itself. |
BIOELECTRICAL
IMPEDANCE ANALYSIS |
A method of body composition analysis based on electrical conductance and the greater electrical conductivity of fat-free mass. |
| BLOOD PRESSURE |
The pressure of the blood on the walls of the arteries. |
BMI
(Body Mass Index) |
An index of a person's weight in relation to height, determined by dividing the weight (in kilograms) by the square of the height (in meters). |
BMR
(Basal Metabolic Rate) |
The rate of energy used for metabolism when the body is at complete rest. |
| BULIMIA |
Eating disorder characterized by binge eating, sometimes followed by vomiting or purging. |
| C |
| CAFFEINE |
A natural stimulant found in many common foods and beverages, including coffee, tea and chocolate. |
| CALORIE |
Unit of heat, measurement of energy. |
| CARBOHYDRATE |
A compound composed of sugars. |
| COMPLETE PROTEIN |
A protein containing all the essential amino acids. |
| COUNSELING |
The professional guidance of an individual in a specific area. |
| D |
| DIABETES TYPE 1 |
Insulin Dependent-persons body does not produce insulin at all. |
| DIABETES TYPE 2 |
Non-Insulin Dependent-persons body does produce insulin but fat cells resist the insulin. Majority of cases are due to obesity. |
| DIET |
To eat sparingly or according to prescribed rules. |
| E |
EKG
(Electrocardiogram) |
Records electrical impulses of the heart. |
| ELECTROLYTES |
Essential elements necessary for cell function to regulate the distribution of body fluids, (Ex. sodium, potassium). |
| ENERGY METABOLISM |
The reactions by which the body obtains and spends the energy from food. |
| ENZYME |
A protein that facilitates chemical reactions without itself being changed in the process. |
| ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS |
Amino acids that the body cannot make in sufficient amounts to meet physiological needs and must come from foods we consume. |
| EXCHANGE LISTS |
Diet planning tools that organize foods by their nutrient and energy contents. Foods on any single list can be used interchangeably. |
| F |
| FIBER |
A general term denoting the structural part of plants. They are not digested by human digestive enzymes, although some are digested by the gastrointestinal tract bacterial. |
| G |
| GLUCOSE |
A monosaccharide, sometimes known as blood sugar. |
| H |
| HIGH QUALITY PROTEIN |
A protein that is easily digestible and a complete protein. |
| HYPERGLYCEMIA |
Increase in blood sugar. |
| HYPERTENSION |
Elevated blood pressure. |
| HYPOGLYCEMIA |
Deficiency of glucose in the blood, low blood sugar. |
| HYPOTENSION |
Low blood pressure. |
| I |
| IDEAL BODY WEIGHT |
The weight appropriate for an individual that results in a body mass index of 20-25. |
| INSULIN |
A hormone secreted by special cells in the pancreas in response to increased blood glucose (blood sugar) concentrations. |
| L |
| LACTOSE |
The main carbohydrate in milk (milk sugar). |
| LACTOSE INTOLERANCE |
A condition that results from inability to digest the milk sugar-lactose. |
| LEAN BODY MASS |
The fat-free mass or part of the body including all its components except fat storage. |
| LIPIDS |
A family of compounds that includes triglycerides (fats and oils), phospholipids and sterols. |
| M |
| METABOLISM |
The sum total of all the chemical reactions that go on in living cells; also the transformation by which energy is made available for the uses of the organism. |
| MINERALS |
Inorganic elements; some minerals are essential nutrients required in small amounts. |
| MONOSACCHARIDE |
A carbohydrate that consists of a single ring. |
| MORBID OBESITY |
100% to 149% above ideal body weight. |
| N |
| NUTRIENTS |
Substances obtained from food and used in the body to provide energy and structural materials and to regulate growth, maintenance and repair of the body's tissue. |
| O |
| OBESITY |
A chronic disease characterized by excessively high body fat in relation to lean body tissue. |
| OVERWEIGHT |
An excess of body weight that includes fat, bone and muscle. |
| P |
| PLATEAU (WEIGHT) |
Reaching a level or period of stability. |
| PROTEIN |
An energy yielding nutrient. |
| R |
RDA
(Recommended Daily Allowance) |
The amounts of energy and selected nutrients considered adequate to meet the nutrient needs of practically all healthy people. |
RDI
(Reference Daily Intakes) |
Food labeling values for protein, vitamins and minerals based on population-adjusted means of the RDA. |
| S |
| SATURATED FAT |
Fatty acids that have all the hydrogen they can hold on their chemical chains. They mainly come from animal foods. |
| T |
| TESTIMONIAL |
A statement testifying to benefits received. |
| TRIGLYCERIDES |
The scientific name for the common form of fat, found in both the body and in foods. Most body fat is stored in the form of triglycerides. |
| U |
| UNSATURATED FAT |
(Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated) are missing one or more hydrogen pairs on their chemical chains. They mainly come from vegetable sources and fish. |
| V |
| VEGETARIANS |
A general term used to describe people who exclude meat, poultry, fish or other animal-derived foods from their diets. |
| VITAMINS |
Organic, essential nutrients required in small amounts. |
