Table of Contents
Introduction
In this blog post, we will explore obesity vocabulary as well as words related to obesity, health, and healthy food.
Understanding these terms is essential for English Language learners to discuss topics around weight, diet, and wellness effectively.
We will cover definitions and examples of essential words and phrases to enhance your comprehension and communication skills.
Obesity Vocabulary with Definitions
This is a list of vocabulary items related to obesity, health, and healthy food.
Let’s start with a list of obesity vocabulary:
A. Obesity-related vocabulary
List of obesity vocabulary and other related terms:
1. Anorexia
A serious illness often resulting in dangerous weight loss, in which a person, especially a girl or a woman, does not eat, or eats too little because they fear becoming fat:
Example:
- Reports of anorexia and other eating disorders are on the increase, with 6000 new cases in the UK every year.
Compare bulimia.
2. Anorexic
Adjective, also anorectic.
Examples:
- She looks anorexic to me.
- Anorexic people tend to be obsessive and perfectionist.
3. Bulimia
A mental illness in which someone eats uncontrollably and in large amounts, then vomits to remove the food from their body.
4. Bulimic
The adjective from bulimia.
Examples:
- She suffers from bulimia.
- She’s bulimic.
5. Chubby
Rounded and plump; fat.
6. Diet
Meaning 1: The food and drink usually taken by a person or group:
Examples:
- Diet varies between different countries in the world.
- A healthy/balanced/varied diet.
- Rice is the staple diet (= most important food) of many people in China.
- The children seem to exist on a diet of burgers and chips.
Meaning 2: When someone eats less food, or only particular types of food because they want to become thinner or for medical reasons. In this case, we say he’s on a diet (to be on a diet):
Examples:
- I’m going on a diet next week and hope to lose two kilos before Christmas.
- A crash/strict/calorie-controlled diet.
- The doctor put me on a low-salt diet to reduce my blood pressure.
7. Dietitian
A person who scientifically studies and advises about food and eating.
8. Fat
Having much or too much fat or flesh; plump or obese.
9. Fattening
Describes food that contains a lot of fat, sugar, etc., that would quickly make you fatter if you ate a lot of it.
Example:
- Fattening foods, such as cheese and chocolate.
10. Fit
Meaning 1: Healthy and strong, especially as a result of exercise.
Examples:
- I jog to keep fit.
- You need to be very fit to hike the Inca Trail.
Meaning 2: Be (as) fit as a fiddle (British also be (as) fit as a flea): to be very healthy and strong.
Example:
- My grandmother’s 89, but she’s as fit as a fiddle.
The opposite is unfit.
11. Health
The condition of the body and the degree to which it is free from illness, or the state of being well.
Examples:
- To be in good/poor health.
- Regular exercise is good for your health.
- I had to give up drinking for health reasons.
- He gave up work because of ill-health.
12. Healthy
Meaning 1: Strong and well:
Example:
- She’s a normal, healthy child.
- He looks healthy enough.
Meaning 2: Demonstrating strength and well-being.
Examples:
- The walk had given her a healthy glow.
- A healthy appetite.
13. Nutrition
The substances that you take into your body as food and the way that they influence your health.
Examples:
- Good nutrition is essential if patients are to make a quick recovery.
- Improvements in nutrition.
14. Nutritional
Relating to nutrition:
Example:
- Chemical sweeteners have no nutritional value.
15. Obese
Extremely fat.
16. Obesity
The condition of being obese; increased body weight caused by excessive accumulation of fat.
17. Plump
Well-rounded and full in form; chubby; fat.
18. Slimming
Meaning 1: (British English – informal) Describes food that you can eat without getting fat.
Example:
- Have a salad – that’s slimming.
Meaning 2: American English) Making you look thinner.
Example:
- Black is very slimming.
19. Slim
Attractively thin.
Example:
- She’s slim.
- Slim hips/legs.
- She’s got a lovely slim figure.
20. Skimmed Milk
Milk from which the cream has been removed.
21. Sugar-Free
Sugar-free foods do not contain any sugar and are usually artificially sweetened.
Example:
- Sugar-free chewing gum.
22. Thin
With little flesh on the bones.
Examples:
- Did you notice how thin her wrists were?
- Thin, hungry dogs roamed the streets.
23. To Eat Healthily
To eat healthy food, not junk food.
24. To Put on Weight
To get fat.
25. To Be Overweight
To be fat.
26. To Slim Down
The opposite of putting on weight or getting fat.
27. To Weigh
To have a heaviness of a stated amount, or to measure the heaviness of a person or an object.
28. To Do Exercise / To Exercise
Physical activity that you do to make your body strong and healthy.
Examples:
- Swimming is my favorite form of exercise.
- You really should get more exercise.
- I do stomach exercises most days.
29. Vegetarian
A person who does not eat meat for health or religious reasons or because they want to avoid cruelty to animals.
Example:
- Of the four million people who have become vegetarians in Britain, nearly two-thirds are women.
30. Vegan
A person who does not eat or use any animal products, such as meat, fish, eggs, cheese, or leather.
Example:
- Vegans get all the protein they need from nuts, seeds, beans, and cereals.
31. Weight
The amount that something or someone weighs.
Examples:
- What weight can this lorry safely carry?
- There was a slight decrease in his weight after a week of dieting.
32. Wholemeal Bread
Bread made with whole wheat flour.
33. Obesogenic
Tending to cause or promote obesity.
Example:
- Fast food advertisements contribute to an obesogenic environment.
34. Sedentary
Involving little or no physical activity.
Example:
- A sedentary lifestyle is a major risk factor for obesity.
35. Processed Food
Food that has been altered from its natural state for convenience.
Example:
- Processed foods are often high in fat and sugar.
36. Craving
A strong desire for a specific food.
Example:
- She had a sudden chocolate craving.
37. Junk Food
Food that is high in calories but low in nutritional value.
Example: He tries to avoid junk food to stay healthy.
38. Body Mass Index (BMI)
A number calculated from height and weight used to assess weight category.
Example:
- A BMI over 30 is considered obese.
B. Phrases Related to Obesity
Here are some examples of phrases commonly related to obesity:
1. Phrases About Weight
- Gaining weight
- Losing weight
- Excess body weight
- Struggling with weight
- Weight management
- Weight control
- Overweight and obese
- Weight loss journey
2. Phrases About Health
- Health risks of obesity
- Health complications from obesity
- Impact of obesity on health
- Obesity-related diseases
- Obesity and diabetes
- Obesity and heart disease
- Healthy lifestyle changes
- Preventing obesity
3. Phrases About Diet
- Balanced diet
- Calorie intake
- Calorie-controlled diet
- High-fat diet
- Low-fat diet
- Sugar-free diet
- Diet and nutrition
- Healthy eating habits
- Nutrient-rich foods
- Portion control
4. Phrases About Exercise
- Regular exercise
- Physical activity
- Exercise routine
- Staying active
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Exercise for weight loss
- Fitness plan
- Active lifestyle
5. Phrases About Body Image
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Body positivity
- Self-esteem and body image
- Body image issues
- Acceptance of body size
- Media and body image
6. Phrases About Medical Aspects
- Obesity epidemic
- Childhood obesity
- Morbid obesity
- Severe obesity
- Obesity treatment
- Bariatric surgery
- Weight-loss surgery
- Medical intervention for obesity
7. Phrases About Lifestyle Changes
- Making healthier choices
- Healthy living
- Lifestyle modifications
- Sustainable weight loss
- Long-term weight management
- Adopting healthy habits
8. Phrases About Social Aspects
- Social stigma of obesity
- Discrimination based on weight
- Weight bias
- Support for weight loss
- Weight-loss support groups
Opposites and Antonyms of Obesity
| Obesity Term | Opposite Term |
|---|---|
| Obese | Fit / Slim / Healthy |
| Overweight | Underweight |
| Unhealthy diet | Balanced diet |
| Sedentary lifestyle | Active lifestyle |
| Weight gain | Weight loss |
Obesity Slogans and Awareness Quotes
Catchy Slogans for Obesity Awareness:
- “Eat Wise, Drop a Size.”
- “A Moment on the Lips, a Lifetime on the Hips.”
- “Healthy Habits = Healthy Life.”
- “Don’t Weight to Get Fit!”
- “Stop the Rise, Prevent Obesity.”
Famous Quotes:
- “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn
- “You can’t out-exercise a bad diet.”
- “Obesity is not a disease of willpower. It is a disease of the environment.”
Practice Obesity Vocabulary
1. Short Reading Comprehension: The Obesity Challenge
Read this passage and answer the questions:
Obesity has become a global issue. In many developed countries, people eat more processed and high-fat food than ever before. Combined with sedentary lifestyles, this leads to weight gain and serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease. However, with balanced diets, regular exercise, and public awareness, obesity can be prevented or reversed.
Comprehension Questions:
- What causes obesity, according to the passage?
- Name two health problems linked to obesity.
- What are two ways to prevent obesity?
Obesity is caused by an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. It can also be influenced by genetics, hormonal imbalances, and certain medical conditions.
2. Name two health problems linked to obesity.
Two health problems linked to obesity are heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
3. What are two ways to prevent obesity?
Two ways to prevent obesity are maintaining a healthy diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) and engaging in regular physical activity.
2. Mini Vocabulary Exercises
Match the Word to the Definition:
- Obese
- Sedentary
- Dietitian
- Processed food
- Slimming
a) Not physically active
b) Food high in fat or sugar, often in packages
c) A person who gives expert food advice
d) Extremely fat
e) Makes you lose weight
Conclusion
By mastering this obesity-related vocabulary and understanding common health phrases, you’ll be more confident in conversations about diet, wellness, and lifestyle choices. Use this guide to enhance your speaking, reading, and listening comprehension.
