Static and dynamic exercises that are designed to improve individuals' ability to withstand challenges from postural sway or destabilizing stimuli caused by self-motion, the environment, or other objects.

Japanese cooking ingredient made by the fermentation of barley. Miso is typically used in miso soups or ramen noodle dishes, but can be used more widely to enrich stocks or gravies.

The light-intensity activities of daily life, such as standing, walking slowly, and lifting lightweight objects. People who do only baseline activity are considered to be inactive.

Variety of extremely fragrant rice often used in Indian cooking.

Also known as tofu. Pressed soya milk curds, used widely in vegan and Asian cooking. Can be fresh or long life. Also available in a smooth silken form for blending.

See Sterol.

Trading on the popularity of the Biggest Loser television show, a number of books tout various methods to achieve the weight loss and healthy lifestyle of the show's most successful participants.

The diet encourages you to fill up on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains; practice portion control; use a food journal; and exercise regularly (and with some intensity). The diet doesn't ban any food groups, and there's an abundance of recipes, online resources, and community forums to participate in. You'll likely want to invest in one of the books, like 30-Day Jump Start or 6 Weeks to a Healthier You, which each run around $20.

This is the most exercise-essential diet on this list, with the goal of educating you in body-weight training, aerobics, strength and resistance training, and yoga. In today's television/computer-centric society, getting off the couch/office chair is always a good idea.

See Flavonoids.

Are characteristic biological properties that can be detected and measured in parts of the body like the blood or tissue.

The known endocrine disruptor found in hard plastics and canned goods is linked to reproductive disorders, behavioral problems in animals, and liver damage. It may also be a human metabolic syndrome risk factor and is toxic at low doses, according to the Environmental Working Group. Choose plastic alternatives to avoid BPA. Eden Foods, Henry & Lisa's Natural Seafood and Vital Choice Wild Seafood and Organics are the first companies to launch BPA-free canned foods.

The pressure of blood in the arteries as it is being pumped around the body by the heart.

A measure of weight in kilograms (kg) relative to height in meters squared (m2). BMI is considered a reasonably reliable indicator of total body fat, which is related to the risk of disease and death. BMI status categories include underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese (See Table).

Overweight and obese describe ranges of weight that are greater than what is considered healthy for a given height, while underweight describes a weight that is lower than what is considered healthy. Because children and adolescents are growing, their BMI is plotted on growth charts for sex and age. The percentile indicates the relative position of the child’s BMI among children of the same sex and age.

Physical activity primarily designed to increase the strength of specific sites in bones that make up the skeletal system. Bone strengthening activities produce an impact or tension force on the bones that promotes bone growth and strength. Running, jumping rope, and lifting weights are examples of bone-strengthening activities.