What Is Obesity? Obesity is a chronic disease1 defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2. BMI is a system used to estimate body fat and compare weights independent of stature across a population. It is calculated by dividing body weight (kg) by the square of height (m2). Globally, obesity is one of the...
Triglycerides, like low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterols, do not carry a great reputation. They are not cholesterols, but are lipids that store energy as fats in the adipose (ie, fat) tissue.1 High levels of triglycerides are associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.2 Even though triglyceride molecules themselves are not usually found in atherosclerotic plaques in arteries,...
What Are Plant-Based Diets? Plant-based diets have become popular recently for both health and environmental reasons.1 The different types of plant-based diets are known to be rich in nutrients, micronutrients, and fiber, yet low in calories and saturated fat. Plant-based diets are generally divided into six categories: vegetarian, vegan, raw vegan, lacto-vegetarian, ovo-vegetarian, and lacto-ovo-vegetarian. Vegetarian diets...
What Is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is a wax-like substance that plays a crucial role in the human body.1 It is an integral part of every cellular membrane and is a precursor to various hormones. Cholesterol is naturally lipophilic, meaning it dissolves and is attracted to fats instead of water.2 As such, cholesterol is carried through the bloodstream as...
What Is a Low-Calorie Diet? A low-calorie or a hypocaloric diet is a diet designed to lower daily caloric intake.1 A conventional low-calorie diet usually aims for daily caloric intake of 1,500-1,800 kcal/day for males and 1,200-1,500 kcal/day for females, lower than the average daily caloric requirements of 2,600-2,800 kcal/day for males and 2,000-2,200 kcal/day for females.1,2...
