GLOSSARY

Leptin Resistance
Leptin resistance describes reduced responsiveness to leptin in a specified physiological or experimental context. Impaired transport, signaling and neural-network responses can contribute.

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.

Interpreting the mechanism

The concept has multiple mechanisms and cannot be diagnosed conclusively from hunger or one elevated leptin result. Tissue response and circulating availability are separate quantities.

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.