Abdominal fat
Fat that is centrally distributed between the thorax and pelvis.

Atherosclerosis
The process of disease in blood vessels leading to narrowing and diminished blood flow. Atherosclerosis occurs when cholesterol and other lipids are deposited in the artery wall, and inflammation and other degenerative processes cause the vessel to become obstructed. Atherosclerosis involves primarily arteries and reduced blood flow leads to damage of the tissues that do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients. Also called hardening of the arteries.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD)
The clinical result of atherosclerosis. Myocardial infarction (heart attack), and stroke are the most common and significant forms of ASCVD. Disease of the legs and kidneys can also occur from atherosclerosis.

Blood glucose
Glucose in the blood stream; blood sugar.

Body composition
The relative proportions of fat, muscle and bone making up a given human. The total percentage of body fat in a lean individual is about 20%. Obesity results from increased fat mass so that the percent body fat is typically higher than 30%..

Body Mass Index (BMI)
The standard measure of body fat. BMI is calculated based on an individual's weight relative to their height, and measured by multiplying the individual's weight in pounds by 703 and then dividing that number by the individual's height in inches squared.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
A disease of the heart or blood vessels; any abnormal condition characterized by dysfunction of the heart or blood vessels.

Central obesity
Increased amounts of fat stored in the abdominal cavity. Central obesity is frequently detected by measuring the circumference of the abdomen and comparing it to the circumference of the hips. Also called intra-abdominal or visceral obesity.

Cholesterol
A soft, waxy substance manufactured by the body and used in the production of hormones, bile acid, and vitamin D. It is present in all parts of the body, including the nervous system, muscle, skin, liver, intestines, and heart. Cholesterol regulates membrane fluidity, functions as a precursor molecule in various metabolic pathways and as a constituent of low-density lipoproteins may cause arteriosclerosis.

Comorbidity
Two or more diseases or conditions existing together.

Diabetes mellitus
Elevations of blood sugar due to deficient insulin production or action

Dyslipidemia
A condition marked by abnormal concentrations of lipids or lipoproteins in the blood, including lipid levels that are either higher or lower than normal, which is often a result of obesity.

Endocrinology
The study of the glands and hormones of the body and their related disorders.

Extreme obesity
A body mass index greater than or equal to 40.

Glucose intolerance
Increased blood glucose levels following a meal (or glucose tolerance test). The degree of glucose elevation can be severe, for example in diabetes, or relatively modest in persons with impaired glucose tolerance, a state of abnormal glucose metabolism between normal and diabetic.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
Also referred to as "good" cholesterol. These are specific particles that are important in carrying cholesterol from peripheral sites, like the blood vessels, to the liver for processing or breakdown. High levels of HDL particles promote removal of lipid from blood vessels and decrease the risk for ASCVD. Low levels of HDL are a risk factor for heart disease.

Hyperglycemia
Elevated blood glucose levels. Hyperglycemia occurs in normal people after they eat, but the level is modest and restored to the fasting level within 60-90 minutes. Persons with impaired glucose intolerance have normal glucose levels after an overnight fast but more pronounced hyperglycemia after eating. Diabetic individuals have hyperglycemia in the fasting state and this worsens after meals.

Hyperinsulinemia
Elevated levels of plasma insulin. Insulin levels increase normally after eating. Fasting levels of insulin are generally proportional to the degree of insulin resistance- higher levels suggest worse insulin resistance.

Hypertension
Abnormally elevated blood pressure.

Hypoglycemia
An abnormally low level of glucose in the blood.

Insulin
Polypeptide hormone secreted by the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Insulin regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, especially the conversion of glucose to glycogen, which lowers the blood glucose level. Insulin can be synthetically created for use in the medical treatment and management of diabetes.

Insulin resistance
Decreased sensitivity to the action of insulin. Typically measured as the degree that glucose is cleared from the blood in response to a given amount of insulin.

Lipids
Biologic fats. A general term for water insoluble compounds like cholesterol and triglyceride.

Low-carbohydrate
Or low-carb; common designation for food containing less than average carbohydrates.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
Also referred to as "bad" cholesterol.  A lipoprotein of blood plasma that is composed of a moderate proportion of protein with little triglyceride and a high proportion of cholesterol and that is associated with increased probability of developing atherosclerosis.

Metabolic syndrome
A disorder characterized by a cluster of health problems including obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels and high blood sugar.

Metabolism
The chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life. In metabolism, some substances are broken down to yield energy for vital processes while other substances, necessary for life, are synthesized.

Normal Weight
Ideal weight per height measurements; a classification of BMI.

Obesity
An excessive amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass or a body weight that is 30 percent over the ideal weight for a specified height.

Overweight
An increased body weight that is between 25 and 29.9 percent over an ideal weight for a specific height. May not only be due to increases in body fat, but lean muscle as well.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
The most common syndrome in reproductive-age women and is often associated with obesity. PCOS is an accumulation of incompletely developed follicles in the ovaries and is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, multiple ovarian cysts and hirsutism, or excessive hair growth and often results in infertility.

Prevalence
The total number of cases of a disease in a given population at a specific time.

Sedentary
Having low activity/exercise levels.

Stroke
A sudden loss of brain function caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel to the brain.

Thyroid
A gland in the neck that produces hormones designed to regulate the body's metabolism and organ functions.

Triglycerides
A type of fat found in your blood and foods you eat. They are the most common type of fat in your body and are a major source of energy. Triglycerides commonly circulate in the blood in the form of lipoproteins (also referred to as neutral fat).

Type 2 diabetes
The most common form of diabetes accounting for approximately 90% of cases in the U.S.  People with type 2 diabetes have a combination of decreased insulin secretion and insulin resistance that combine to cause hyperglycemia. Most persons with type 2 diabetes have metabolic syndrome.

Waist Circumference
A measurement of distance around the waist, which physicians may use to assess a patient's abdominal fat.