GLOSSARY

Hormonal Adaptations to Weight Loss
Weight loss can reduce leptin and change appetite and energy-expenditure regulation.

Adipose tissue sends information. Adipose tissue contains adipocytes, vascular cells and immune populations with distinct secretory contributions. Depot, energy status and inflammation influence the resulting endocrine profile. A circulating association does not establish the producing cell or prove a causal metabolic effect.

A distinction that matters. Adaptations vary and do not imply that weight regain is inevitable or that one supplement reverses the system.

Appetite is integrated. Hunger and food intake reflect endocrine signals together with neural reward, meals, sleep and environment. Low energy availability can occur at different body sizes. No single adipokine concentration can independently determine an athlete's fueling requirements.