Weight Management Library
Medically reviewed explanations of the terms, treatments and concepts that come up in weight management — written for patients.
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Conditions
Acanthosis Nigricans
Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition causing dark, velvety patches — a visible sign of insulin resistance linked to excess weight.
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Lifestyle
Active Commuting and Weight
Using walking, cycling, or public transport for daily travel to naturally build physical activity into routines and support healthy weight management.
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Foundations
Adaptive Thermogenesis
The body's metabolic defence mechanism that disproportionately slows energy expenditure during and after weight loss.
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Nutrition
Added Sugars
Added sugars are sugars and syrups added to foods during processing, which contribute empty calories and are linked to obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.
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Foundations
Adipogenesis
The biological process by which the body creates new fat cells from precursor cells, influencing energy storage and metabolism.
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Foundations
Adipokines
Bioactive signalling proteins secreted by fat cells that regulate metabolism, inflammation, and appetite throughout the body.
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Foundations
Adipose Tissue
Adipose tissue is the body's specialised fat storage tissue that plays a critical role in energy balance, hormone production, and metabolic health.
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Procedures
Adjustable Gastric Band
A reversible bariatric procedure using an adjustable silicone band around the stomach to restrict food intake.
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Lifestyle
Alcohol and Weight Management
Alcohol adds calories, lowers restraint and stalls fat burning, so cutting back supports weight loss.
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Foundations
Anorexigenic Signals
Anorexigenic signals are the body's natural stop-eating messages — chemical messengers that promote fullness and suppress appetite after eating.
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Nutrition
Anti-Inflammatory Diet
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3s that reduces chronic inflammation and supports healthy weight loss.
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Foundations
Appetite Regulation
The neuroendocrine system of hormones and brain signals that controls hunger and fullness, targeted by modern weight loss medications.
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Nutrition
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners provide sweetness without calories, and may help reduce sugar intake — but their long-term effects on weight and metabolism are complex.
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Procedures
Aspiration Therapy
A minimally invasive procedure that removes a portion of stomach contents after meals to reduce calorie absorption.
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Conditions
Bardet-Biedl Syndrome
A rare genetic ciliopathy characterised by severe early-onset obesity caused by impaired hypothalamic appetite regulation, requiring specialised multidisciplinary care.
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Procedures
Bariatric Prehabilitation
A structured pre-surgery programme of diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes that prepares patients physically and mentally for bariatric procedures.
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Procedures
Bariatric Surgery
Surgical procedures that alter the digestive system to promote weight loss.
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Body Composition
Basal Metabolic Rate
Calories your body burns at complete rest — the foundation of energy expenditure.
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Lifestyle
Behavioural Therapy for Weight Loss
A psychological approach to weight management that helps change eating habits, identify triggers, and build sustainable healthy behaviours.
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Procedures
Biliopancreatic Diversion
A major malabsorptive bariatric surgery that reduces nutrient absorption by rerouting the small intestine, producing substantial and sustained weight loss.
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Psychological
Binge Eating Disorder
A serious eating disorder involving recurrent episodes of uncontrolled overeating.
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Procedures
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)
A quick, non-invasive test that uses a small electrical signal to estimate your body fat percentage, muscle mass, and hydration levels.
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Lifestyle
Blue Light and Weight
Evening blue light from screens disrupts sleep hormones and metabolism, contributing to weight gain — reducing exposure supports weight management.
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Body Composition
BMI
Body Mass Index — a screening tool using height and weight to assess weight status.
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Screening
Body Composition Analysis
Measurement of body fat percentage, muscle mass, and distribution.
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Psychological
Body Dysmorphia
Body dysmorphia is a mental health condition involving obsessive focus on perceived appearance flaws, which can complicate weight-loss efforts.
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Body Composition
Body Fat Percentage
Body fat percentage measures the proportion of body weight from fat, providing a more accurate health picture than BMI alone.
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Foundations
Body Roundness Index (BRI)
A body shape index that uses waist circumference and height to estimate abdominal fat distribution, providing more accurate health risk assessment than BMI alone.
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Foundations
Brown Adipose Tissue
Brown adipose tissue is a special type of fat that burns calories to produce heat, playing a unique role in energy expenditure and metabolic health.
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Medications
Bupropion
Bupropion is a medication that affects brain chemicals linked to appetite and cravings, and may support weight loss as part of a comprehensive programme.
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Lifestyle
Caffeine and Weight Management
A mild stimulant that briefly boosts metabolism and curbs appetite but has limited effect on long-term weight loss.
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Medications
Cagrilintide
A long-acting amylin analogue given as a weekly injection to enhance feelings of fullness and reduce food intake.
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Nutrition
Caloric Deficit
Consuming fewer calories than your body burns, the foundation of weight loss.
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Nutrition
Capsaicin and Weight Management
The active compound in chilli peppers that may boost calorie burning and reduce appetite as a natural adjunct to weight management.
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Complications
Cardiovascular Disease
Heart and blood vessel disease — the leading cause of obesity-related death.
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Medications
Cetilistat
A weight-loss medication that blocks fat absorption in the digestive system, designed to support weight management with fewer side effects.
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Lifestyle
Chewing Rate and Satiety
Eating slowly and chewing thoroughly gives your body time to register fullness, helping you consume fewer calories without feeling deprived.
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Conditions
Chronic Kidney Disease and Obesity
Chronic kidney disease is gradual loss of kidney function, and obesity is a major risk factor — weight loss can help slow its progression.
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Nutrition
Chrononutrition
The science of how meal timing interacts with your body clock to influence metabolism and weight.
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Lifestyle
Circadian Rhythm and Weight
The relationship between your body's internal clock and weight regulation, showing how meal timing and sleep patterns affect metabolism and fat storage.
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Lifestyle
Cold-Induced Thermogenesis
Cold-induced thermogenesis activates brown fat to burn calories for heat, offering a modest metabolic boost that can complement weight management efforts.
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Medications
Combination Appetite Therapy
Investigational injectable treatments combining an amylin analogue with a GLP-1 receptor agonist to target several appetite pathways at once.
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Hormones
Cortisol
Cortisol is the body's primary stress hormone, and chronically elevated levels can promote belly fat storage and increased appetite.
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Procedures
Cryolipolysis
A non-surgical fat freezing treatment that destroys fat cells in small, targeted areas of the body.
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Lifestyle
Culinary Medicine
An evidence-based approach that combines nutrition science with practical cooking skills to help patients make healthier food choices for long-term weight management.
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Conditions
Cushing's Syndrome
A hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels, leading to rapid central weight gain.
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Medications
Daily GLP-1 Injection
A daily injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist that reduces appetite and supports weight loss in adults with obesity. Prescription only, after medical assessment.
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Nutrition
DASH Diet
The DASH diet focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy to reduce blood pressure and support healthy weight management.
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Foundations
De Novo Lipogenesis
The metabolic process where your liver converts excess carbohydrates into stored fat.
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Conditions
Depression and Obesity
Depression and obesity have a bidirectional relationship — each increases the risk and severity of the other, requiring integrated treatment.
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Foundations
DEXA Scan
A low-radiation imaging test that precisely measures bone density, body fat percentage, and lean muscle mass to guide weight management.
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Conditions
Diabesity
The close link between obesity and type 2 diabetes, where losing weight is key to controlling blood sugar.
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Nutrition
Dietary Fibre
Dietary fibre is the indigestible part of plant foods that promotes fullness, supports gut health, and aids weight management.
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Nutrition
Dietary Protein
A key nutrient that preserves muscle, promotes fullness, and supports healthy weight loss.
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Medications
Diethylpropion
A short-term prescription appetite suppressant that helps jump-start weight loss by reducing hunger signals in the brain.
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Lifestyle
Digital Health Tools for Weight Loss
Apps, wearables, and telehealth can support weight loss through self-monitoring and accountability, especially when combined with professional medical guidance.
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Medications
Dual GIP/GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
An injectable treatment acting on two gut-hormone pathways to reduce appetite and improve blood sugar control. Prescription only, after medical assessment.
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Procedures
Duodenal Mucosal Resurfacing (DMR)
A minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that renews the duodenal lining to improve the body's hormonal response to food and help control blood sugar.
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Procedures
Duodenal Switch
A combined restrictive and malabsorptive bariatric procedure that produces the greatest weight loss among all surgical options for severe obesity.
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Procedures
Duodenal-Jejunal Bypass Liner (EndoBarrier)
A removable intestinal sleeve placed by endoscopy that mimics gastric bypass hormone changes to reduce appetite and improve blood sugar.
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Conditions
Dyslipidaemia
An imbalance of blood fats — high bad cholesterol or triglycerides — that increases heart disease risk and often improves with weight loss.
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Nutrition
Eating Frequency
How many meals you eat per day matters less for weight than total caloric intake and food quality, though irregular patterns can affect appetite control.
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Lifestyle
Eating Rate
The speed at which you eat — faster eating is linked to higher calorie intake and weight gain because the brain needs about 20 minutes to register fullness.
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Psychological
Emotional Eating
Using food to cope with emotions rather than physical hunger.
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Procedures
Endoscopic Gastric Remodelling
A non-surgical, incisionless procedure that reshapes the stomach through an endoscope to reduce its capacity and support weight loss.
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Procedures
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty
A non-surgical, incisionless weight-loss procedure that reduces stomach size using an endoscope and internal sutures.
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Foundations
Energy Balance
The fundamental principle of weight management describing the relationship between calories consumed and calories burned.
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Foundations
Energy Density
Energy density is the number of calories per gram of food — choosing lower-density foods helps you feel full while controlling calorie intake.
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Foundations
Energy Flux
Energy flux is the rate of energy turnover in your body — high flux supports better weight control and metabolic health.
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Lifestyle
Environmental Design for Weight Loss
The practice of arranging your surroundings to make healthy eating and activity choices the easiest and most natural option.
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Medications
Exenatide
The first approved GLP-1 receptor agonist — a twice-daily injection that improves blood sugar and supports weight loss.
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Lifestyle
Exercise Physiology
How physical activity affects body weight, metabolism, and health.
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Lifestyle
Exercise Snacking
Short, 1–2 minute bursts of vigorous activity spread throughout the day to improve fitness and metabolism.
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Foundations
Fat-Free Mass
Everything in your body that is not fat — muscles, bones, organs, and water. Preserving it during weight loss is essential.
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Conditions
Fatty Liver Disease
Accumulation of fat in liver cells, strongly associated with obesity.
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Foundations
Foetal Programming of Obesity
How maternal health during pregnancy can influence a child's lifelong obesity risk through epigenetic changes.
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Conditions
Food Addiction and Obesity
A pattern of compulsive overeating driven by the same brain reward pathways involved in substance addiction.
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Lifestyle
Food Cravings
Intense, selective urges to eat specific foods, driven by brain chemistry rather than true hunger.
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Nutrition
Food Labels and Weight Management
The skill of reading nutrition labels to make informed food choices that support weight loss goals.
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Lifestyle
Food Reward
The brain's pleasure and motivation response to eating, especially processed foods that can override fullness signals and drive overeating.
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Conditions
Gallstones
Hardened deposits of digestive fluid that form in the gallbladder — obesity and rapid weight loss both increase the risk.
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Procedures
Gastric Balloon
A non-surgical weight loss procedure placing a soft balloon in the stomach.
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Procedures
Gastric Botox
An endoscopic procedure using botulinum toxin injections into the stomach to slow gastric emptying and reduce appetite.
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Procedures
Gastric Bypass
A surgical weight-loss procedure that reduces stomach size and reroutes the intestine, leading to significant and lasting weight loss.
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Procedures
Gastric Electrical Stimulation
An implanted pacemaker-like device that sends pulses to the stomach to promote fullness and delay emptying.
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Procedures
Gastric Plication
A reversible weight loss surgery that folds and stitches the stomach to reduce its size without removing tissue.
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Complications
GERD
A chronic acid reflux condition that is common with excess weight and often improves significantly with weight loss.
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Hormones
Ghrelin
The hunger hormone — stimulates appetite before meals.
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Medications
GLP-1 Medication
A prescription medication class that mimics the GLP-1 hormone to regulate appetite and blood sugar, used in weight management and type 2 diabetes.
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Medications
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
A class of medications that mimic the GLP-1 hormone to regulate appetite and blood sugar.
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Nutrition
Glycaemic Index
A measure of how quickly foods raise blood sugar levels.
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Nutrition
Glycaemic Load
Glycaemic load measures how much a typical serving of food actually raises blood sugar — a more practical tool than glycaemic index alone.
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Conditions
Gout
A painful arthritic condition linked to high uric acid, where weight loss can significantly reduce the frequency of attacks.
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Foundations
Gut Microbiome
The trillions of bacteria in your digestive system that influence metabolism, appetite, and weight regulation.
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Foundations
Gut-Brain Axis
The two-way communication network between your gut and brain that regulates hunger, fullness, and metabolism.
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Lifestyle
Habit Stacking
A behavioural technique that pairs a new healthy habit with an existing routine to make lifestyle changes easier and more sustainable.
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Screening
HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin)
A blood test that measures your average blood sugar over two to three months, a key marker of metabolic health during weight loss.
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Screening
Health Screening
Comprehensive medical check-up to assess weight-related health risks.
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Lifestyle
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
HIIT alternates short bursts of intense exercise with rest — a time-efficient way to burn fat and boost metabolism.
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Lifestyle
Hydration and Weight Management
How adequate water intake supports weight loss by boosting metabolism, reducing calorie intake, and replacing high-calorie beverages.
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Conditions
Hyperinsulinaemia
A condition of chronically elevated blood insulin levels that promotes fat storage and complicates weight loss.
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Conditions
Hyperphagia
Abnormally intense and persistent hunger that contributes to weight gain and requires clinical evaluation.
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Conditions
Hypertension
High blood pressure — a common condition often linked to excess weight.
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Conditions
Hyperuricaemia and Obesity
Elevated blood uric acid is strongly linked to obesity and can lead to gout; weight loss helps lower uric acid levels naturally.
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Conditions
Hypothalamic Obesity
Weight gain caused by damage to the hypothalamus, the brain's hunger control centre, leading to relentless appetite and metabolic disruption.
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Conditions
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid gland that slows metabolism and can contribute to weight gain and difficulty losing weight.
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Complications
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)
Raised pressure inside the skull linked to obesity, causing headaches and vision problems that often improve with weight loss.
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Medications
Incretin-Based Therapies
A class of medications that mimic gut hormones to lower blood sugar, suppress appetite, and promote significant weight loss.
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Conditions
Infertility and Obesity
Obesity can disrupt hormonal balance and ovulation in both men and women, but weight loss can significantly improve fertility.
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Hormones
Insulin Resistance
A condition where cells do not respond well to insulin, driving weight gain.
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Nutrition
Intermittent Fasting
An eating pattern cycling between periods of eating and fasting.
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Psychological
Intuitive Eating
Eating guided by your body's natural hunger and fullness signals rather than strict diet rules.
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Procedures
Jejunoileal Bypass
A historical malabsorptive weight-loss surgery abandoned due to severe complications — a milestone in bariatric surgery evolution.
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Nutrition
Ketogenic Diet
A very low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that induces ketosis, causing the body to burn fat for fuel.
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Hormones
Leptin
The satiety hormone — regulates hunger and energy balance.
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Medications
Lipase Inhibitor
A prescription treatment that reduces how much dietary fat the body absorbs from food, used as part of medically supervised weight management.
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Screening
Lipid Profile
A blood test measuring cholesterol and triglycerides — a key screening tool to assess heart disease risk during weight management.
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Conditions
Lipidema
A chronic condition causing painful, abnormal fat accumulation mainly in the legs and arms, often mistaken for simple obesity.
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Conditions
Lipodystrophy
A group of rare disorders causing abnormal fat distribution and severe metabolic complications from impaired fat storage.
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Conditions
Lipohypertrophy
Abnormal fat accumulation at insulin injection sites that can interfere with diabetes management and complicate weight loss efforts.
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Foundations
Lipolysis
The biological process of breaking down stored fat into usable energy, driven by a caloric deficit and regulated by hormones.
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Procedures
Liposuction
A cosmetic fat-removal procedure for body contouring — not a weight-loss treatment or obesity solution.
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Conditions
Lipotoxicity
The damaging effects of excess fat accumulation in organs like the liver, pancreas, and muscles.
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Medications
Lorcaserin
A selective serotonin receptor agonist that reduced appetite by activating satiety pathways, withdrawn in 2020 after long-term safety review.
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Nutrition
Low-Glycaemic Diet
A diet focused on foods that cause a slow, steady rise in blood sugar, helping with appetite control and sustained energy.
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Nutrition
Macronutrients
The three main nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats — all essential for health.
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Medications
Mazindol
An appetite suppressant that works on the brain's hunger control centre, historically used for short-term weight management in resistant cases.
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Medications
MC4R Agonist Therapy
An injectable treatment for severe obesity caused by specific rare genetic conditions affecting appetite regulation.
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Lifestyle
Meal Prepping
A structured food preparation strategy that makes healthy eating convenient by preparing meals in advance.
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Nutrition
Mediterranean Diet
A balanced, evidence-based eating pattern rich in vegetables, olive oil, fish, and whole grains.
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Nutrition
Medium-Chain Triglycerides
Fats that bypass normal digestion, providing quick energy and modestly boosting metabolism and satiety.
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Conditions
Menopause and Weight Gain
Weight gain driven by declining oestrogen during menopause — shifts fat storage to the abdomen and slows metabolism.
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Body Composition
Metabolic Adaptation
The body's natural slowing of metabolism in response to weight loss.
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Foundations
Metabolic Flexibility
The body's ability to switch between burning carbohydrates and fats — poor flexibility is linked to weight gain and insulin resistance.
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Foundations
Metabolic Health
How well your body regulates blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure, a fuller measure of health than weight alone.
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Conditions
Metabolic Syndrome
A cluster of conditions that increase risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
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Medications
Metformin
A diabetes medication that can support modest weight loss by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing liver sugar production.
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Psychological
Mindful Eating
The practice of paying full attention to eating experiences to recognise hunger cues and break emotional eating patterns.
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Procedures
Mini Gastric Bypass (OAGB)
A simplified weight loss surgery using a single connection to reduce stomach size and calorie absorption.
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Lifestyle
Morning vs Evening Exercise
Morning exercise may enhance fat burning and consistency, while evening exercise may boost strength — the best time is the one you can keep to.
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Lifestyle
Movement Breaks
Short bursts of light activity taken throughout the day to break up long periods of sitting.
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Medications
Naltrexone
An opioid blocker that, combined with bupropion, helps reduce food cravings and support medically supervised weight loss.
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Medications
Naltrexone/bupropion (combination)
A prescription combination medication (naltrexone/bupropion) that reduces hunger and food cravings for weight management.
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Lifestyle
NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis)
The calories burned through everyday non-exercise activities like walking, standing, and household chores.
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Conditions
Night Eating Syndrome
A condition where a person consumes a large portion of daily calories after dinner or during the night.
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Conditions
Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
The inflammatory, progressive form of fatty liver disease that can lead to cirrhosis — weight loss of 7–10% is the most effective treatment.
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Conditions
Obesity
A chronic medical condition defined by excessive body fat that increases health risks.
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Foundations
Obesity Classification (Class I, II, III)
A BMI-based grading of obesity severity that guides which weight-loss treatments are appropriate.
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Conditions
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
A serious breathing disorder in people with severe obesity where excess weight restricts lung function.
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Foundations
Obesity Paradox
The observation that overweight or mildly obese patients with certain chronic diseases may have better survival.
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Conditions
Obesity-Related Glomerulopathy
Kidney damage caused by excess weight, leading to protein leakage and progressive decline in kidney function.
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Foundations
Obesogenic Environment
A setting that promotes weight gain through easy access to unhealthy food and barriers to physical activity.
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Nutrition
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Weight
Healthy fats found in fish and certain plant oils that reduce inflammation and support metabolism.
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Medications
Oral GLP-1 Tablet
A daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet used in type 2 diabetes and, where clinically appropriate, weight management. Prescription only.
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Foundations
Orexigenic Signals
The body's natural eat-more messages — hormones and brain chemicals that drive hunger and food intake.
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Medications
Orforglipron
An oral GLP-1 receptor agonist in development that mimics natural hunger-regulating hormones without injections.
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Complications
Osteoarthritis
Joint degeneration worsened by excess weight, particularly in knees and hips.
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Medications
Oxyntomodulin
A gut hormone that reduces appetite and is being developed as a new injectable treatment for obesity.
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Conditions
PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome — a hormonal disorder common in women, linked to weight.
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Hormones
Peptide YY (PYY)
A gut hormone released after eating that signals fullness to the brain and reduces appetite.
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Medications
Phendimetrazine
A short-term prescription appetite suppressant used as part of a medically supervised weight loss programme.
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Medications
Phentermine
A short-term prescription appetite suppressant used alongside diet and exercise for medically supervised weight loss.
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Nutrition
Plant-Based Diets for Weight Management
Eating patterns centred on plant foods that support weight loss through lower calorie density and higher satiety.
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Lifestyle
Portion Control
Managing the amount of food you eat at each meal, a proven behavioural strategy for reducing calorie intake.
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Conditions
Post-Bariatric Hypoglycaemia
A complication of weight loss surgery where blood sugar drops too low after eating.
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Conditions
Prader-Willi Syndrome
A rare genetic disorder causing constant extreme hunger, slow metabolism, and lifelong weight management challenges.
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Medications
Pramlintide
A synthetic amylin analogue injection that slows gastric emptying and promotes satiety.
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Nutrition
Prebiotics and Weight Management
Non-digestible fibres that feed beneficial gut bacteria and may support weight management through the gut-brain axis.
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Conditions
Prediabetes
Blood sugar levels higher than normal but not yet diabetic — a critical window where weight loss can reverse the trend.
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Medications
Prescription Appetite Suppressant
A short-term prescription treatment that reduces hunger signals, used under medical supervision as part of a wider weight management plan.
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Procedures
Prescription Digital Therapeutics
App-based therapy programmes prescribed by doctors to support weight loss through behavioural change.
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Procedures
Primary Obesity Surgery Endolumenal (POSE)
A non-surgical, incisionless endoscopic procedure that reduces stomach capacity to help you feel full sooner.
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Nutrition
Probiotics and Weight Management
Beneficial live bacteria that support gut health and may aid weight management by influencing appetite hormones.
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Nutrition
Protein Leverage Hypothesis
The idea that the body overeats calories from fats and carbs to meet a fixed daily protein target.
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Nutrition
Protein Timing
The strategic distribution of protein intake across meals to preserve muscle mass and enhance satiety.
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Lifestyle
Resistance Training
Building muscle through exercises like weight lifting, boosting metabolism and supporting sustainable weight loss.
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Nutrition
Resistant Starch
A carbohydrate that resists digestion, feeding beneficial gut bacteria to improve blood sugar control and appetite regulation.
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Foundations
Respiratory Quotient
Reveals whether your body is burning carbohydrates or fats for energy, helping tailor your weight management plan.
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Foundations
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)
The energy your body uses at complete rest — understanding it helps create personalised weight management plans.
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Medications
Retatrutide
An investigational triple-hormone agonist that achieved substantial body weight loss in clinical trials.
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Procedures
Revisional Bariatric Surgery
A second weight loss operation to address inadequate weight loss or weight regain after initial bariatric surgery.
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Medications
Rimonabant
The first CB1 receptor antagonist for weight loss — withdrawn due to psychiatric side effects but historically significant.
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Procedures
Robotic Bariatric Surgery
Weight-loss procedures performed with a surgeon-controlled robotic platform for enhanced precision and smaller incisions.
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Procedures
SADI-S Procedure
A modern bariatric surgery combining sleeve gastrectomy with bowel bypass for significant, lasting weight loss in severe obesity.
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Conditions
Sarcopenic Obesity
Excess body fat coexisting with low muscle mass, requiring careful weight loss strategies to preserve strength.
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Procedures
SASI Bypass
A newer metabolic surgery combining sleeve gastrectomy with intestinal bypass for significant and sustained weight loss.
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Nutrition
Satiety
The feeling of fullness after eating that helps control appetite — influenced by protein, fibre, and food volume.
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Lifestyle
Sedentary Behaviour
Prolonged sitting or reclining with low energy expenditure, which independently increases the risk of weight gain.
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Lifestyle
Self-Monitoring
Tracking your food, activity, and weight — consistently linked to greater weight loss and long-term success.
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Foundations
Set Point Theory
The concept that your body defends a preferred weight range through hormonal and metabolic mechanisms.
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Medications
SGLT-2 Inhibitors and Weight
Diabetes medications that promote weight loss by causing the kidneys to excrete excess sugar through urine.
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Medications
Sibutramine
A satiety-enhancing weight-loss drug withdrawn in 2010 due to increased heart and stroke risk.
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Conditions
Sleep Apnoea
A sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts, often linked to obesity.
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Lifestyle
Sleep Hygiene
The set of habits that promote quality sleep, which helps regulate hunger hormones and supports healthy weight.
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Lifestyle
Sleep Quality and Weight
Insufficient sleep disrupts hunger hormones and insulin sensitivity, making weight loss more difficult.
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Procedures
Sleeve Gastrectomy
A weight-loss surgery that removes about 80% of the stomach, reducing food intake and hunger hormone production.
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Lifestyle
Smoking Cessation and Weight Gain
The modest weight gain many people experience after quitting smoking, and how to manage it safely.
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Lifestyle
Social Support and Weight Loss
The role of family, friends, and group programmes in improving weight loss outcomes.
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Lifestyle
Stress Management
Controlling stress responses that can trigger weight gain through emotional eating and hormonal changes.
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Body Composition
Subcutaneous Fat
The soft fat layer just under your skin, generally less harmful than deep visceral fat around the organs.
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Medications
Survodutide
A dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist in development for obesity that aims to reduce appetite and boost energy expenditure.
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Medications
Tesofensine
An investigational weight loss tablet that affects three brain chemicals to suppress appetite and support metabolism.
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Foundations
Thermogenesis
The body's process of producing heat through metabolic activity, influencing how many calories you burn.
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Hormones
Thyroid Function
How well your thyroid gland produces metabolism-regulating hormones — an underactive thyroid can cause weight gain.
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Nutrition
Time-Restricted Eating
An eating pattern where all daily meals are consumed within an 8- to 10-hour window to support metabolic health.
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Medications
Topiramate
A medication originally developed for epilepsy, used off-label and in combination formulations for weight loss.
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Foundations
Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)
The total calories your body burns each day, used to set a personal calorie target for weight loss.
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Procedures
Transoral Outlet Reduction (TORe)
A non-surgical endoscopic procedure that tightens the stomach-intestine connection to restore weight loss after gastric bypass.
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Procedures
Transpyloric Shuttle
An endoscopic device that delays stomach emptying to promote fullness and support weight loss without surgery.
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Conditions
Type 2 Diabetes
A metabolic disorder where the body cannot effectively use insulin, often linked to weight.
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Nutrition
Ultra-Processed Foods
Industrially manufactured foods linked to overeating and weight gain, and why reducing them is a cornerstone of weight management.
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Procedures
Vagal Nerve Blockade (vBloc)
An implantable device therapy that intermittently blocks hunger signals between the brain and stomach.
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Procedures
Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG)
An older restrictive stomach-stapling operation now largely replaced by sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass.
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Nutrition
Vinegar and Glycaemic Response
How the acetic acid in vinegar helps lower post-meal blood sugar spikes, supporting glycaemic control and appetite regulation.
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Body Composition
Visceral Fat
Fat stored around internal organs — the most dangerous type of body fat.
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Nutrition
Vitamin D and Weight Management
A nutrient often low in people with obesity, important to check and correct during a weight loss journey.
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Nutrition
Volumetrics Diet
A dietary approach focused on low-calorie-density foods that allow larger, more satisfying portions for fewer calories.
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Screening
Waist-Hip Ratio
A measure of fat distribution — central obesity indicates higher health risk.
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Screening
Water Weight
Temporary fluid retention that can mask true fat loss on the scale.
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Medications
Weekly GLP-1 Injection
A once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist injection used in type 2 diabetes that also supports meaningful weight loss. Prescription only, after medical assessment.
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Body Composition
Weight Cycling
Yo-yo dieting — the repeated pattern of losing and regaining weight, which can slow metabolism.
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Foundations
Weight Loss Plateaus
A normal phase during weight loss where progress stalls due to metabolic adaptation and reduced energy needs.
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Foundations
Weight Maintenance
The long-term phase of weight management focused on sustaining weight loss through continued healthy habits and medical support.
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Foundations
Weight Stigma
Negative attitudes and discrimination based on body weight — a barrier to seeking healthcare that independently worsens health outcomes.
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