The Importance of Energy Balance

Globally, bodyweight and obesity are rising in both the developing and developed world. To maintain a stable bodyweight, energy intake must, over time, exactly equal energy expenditure, a state known as energy balance. An understanding of the physiologic control of energy balance may be useful for designing interventions to tackle the obesity epidemic worldwide. Obesity occurs when the body’s energy balance is positive (i.e. when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure). Human physiology is biased towards maintaining energy balance at high levels of energy intake and expenditure. As a result, strategies to combat obesity should include a focus on increasing physical activity along with strategies for modifying food intake. An understanding of energy balance leads to the conclusion that prevention of weight gain should be easier than treatment of obesity. Components of energy balance are interdependent, and weight loss requires major behaviour changes, which trigger compensatory decreases in energy expenditure that facilitate weight regain. Prevention of weight gain can be accomplished by smaller behaviour changes. In addition to being easier to sustain than larger behaviour changes, smaller ones produce less compensation by the energy balance regulatory system. It has been estimated that relatively small changes in energy intake and expenditure totaling 100 kcal per day could arrest weight gain in most people. Interventions that advocate small changes have shown promising levels of success.

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The Importance of Energy Balance

US Endocrinology ◽

10.17925/use.2013.09.01.27 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 09 (01) ◽

pp. 27 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

James O Hill ◽

Holly R Wyat ◽

John C Peters ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Weight Regain ◽

Regulatory System ◽

Behavior Changes ◽

Obesity Epidemic ◽

Treatment Of Obesity ◽

Developed World

Globally, bodyweight and obesity are rising in both the developing and developed world. To maintain a stable bodyweight, energy intake must, over time, exactly equal energy expenditure, a state known as energy balance. An understanding of the physiologic control of energy balance may be useful for designing interventions to tackle the obesity epidemic worldwide. Obesity occurs when the body’s energy balance is positive (i.e. when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure). Human physiology is biased toward maintaining energy balance at high levels of energy intake and expenditure. As a result, strategies to combat obesity should include a focus on increasing physical activity along with strategies for modifying food intake. An understanding of energy balance leads to the conclusion that prevention of weight gain should be easier than treatment of obesity. Components of energy balance are interdependent, and weight loss requires major behavior changes, which trigger compensatory decreases in energy expenditure that facilitate weight regain. Prevention of weight gain can be accomplished by smaller behavior changes. In addition to being easier to sustain than larger behavior changes, smaller ones produce less compensation by the energy balance regulatory system. It has been estimated that relatively small changes in energy intake and expenditure totaling 100 kcal per day could arrest weight gain in most people. Interventions that advocate small changes have shown promising levels of success.

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Abstract P022: Determinants of Energy Balance: Differences Related to Body Weight and Body Composition

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.127.suppl_12.ap022 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 127 (suppl_12) ◽

Author(s):

Gregory A Hand ◽

Robin P Shook ◽

Jason R Jaggers ◽

Amanda Paluch ◽

Vivek K Prasad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Body Weight ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Positive Association ◽

Linear Modeling ◽

Obesity Epidemic ◽

And Storage ◽

Lean Group

Conversion, utilization and storage of energy in the regulation of energy balance is poorly understood. These misconceptions arise from confusion related to energy balance and its impact on body weight and composition, and can bias the interpretation of findings that are important for the development of policies addressing the obesity epidemic. PURPOSE: Our purpose was to examine the regulation of interactions between total daily energy intake (TDEI) and energy expenditure (TDEE) in healthy adults. METHODS: Adults not limited by gender, race or ethnicity (n=430; aged 21 to 40; BMI of 20 to 35) participated in a battery of physiological, anthropomorphic, behavioral and psychological measurements that are associated with energy balance regulation. The primary components of energy balance regulation (TDEI and TDEE) were measured by 3 random 24-hour dietary recalls and SenseWear accelerometry, respectively. Body composition was determined by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Absolute and relative resting metabolic rates (aRMR and rRMR) were determined through hooded indirect calorimetry. General linear modeling was used to examine the relationships of weight and body fatness with TDEI and macronutrient composition as well as the largest components of TDEE including aRMR, rRMR and physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE). In addition, data were compared between participants with a healthy body fat % (below 25; n=123) and obese (at or above 30%; n=241). RESULTS: All results were adjusted for age, gender and race. TDEE was positively associated (r=.47, p<.001) with TDEI. There was a positive association between aRMR (L/min) and weight (r=.743, p<.001). By contrast, rRMR (ml/kg/min) was inversely correlated with body weight (r= -.38; p<.001). TDEI was significantly higher in the lean group (2465±66 to 1878±42, p<.001) with no measureable differences in macronutrient percentages. The lean group had a higher TDEE and PAEE as compared to the obese group. CONCLUSIONS: There was a robust matching of TDEI and TDEE across weight and body composition ranges. Heavy people burned more calories than lighter people although the lighter individuals had a higher rRMR. The leaner group had a higher TDEI, reflecting a potential regulation based on the greater TDEE in this group. Further, the increased TDEE could be explained by the higher PAEE (approximately 500 kcal) in leaner individuals. These findings emphasize that energy expenditure is related to mass rather than body composition. The regulation of energy intake and body composition is multifactorial, with PAEE a significant determinant for energy storage. This study was funded through an unrestricted grant from The Coca-Cola Company.

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Obesity: A Game of Inches

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.95.1.131 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 95 (1) ◽

pp. 131-132

Author(s):

Rudolph L. Leibel

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Caloric Intake ◽

Normal Growth ◽

Positive Energy ◽

Long Period ◽

Positive Energy Balance ◽

Diet History

Obesity, like baseball, is a game of inches. Weight gain cannot occur unless energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. Such positive energy balance is a sine qua non for normal growth in the child, and for obesity in the adult. Very small excesses of intake over expenditure can make a big difference if present over a long period of time. Consider the children in the study reported by Klesges et al1 elsewhere in this journal (pages 126-130). At about 4½ years of age, these children were estimated (by diet history) to have been ingesting about 2000 kcal per day. This is almost certainly an overestimate of the actual caloric intake of these children (see below).

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Calories and steps! How many days of walking/hiking in the Himalayas does ONE Christmas lunch translate to?

South African Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.17159/2413-3108/2015/v27i4a1267 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 118 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J D Pillay

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Physical Activity Energy Expenditure ◽

Related Energy ◽

Base Camp ◽

Activity Energy ◽

Festive Season

Background. The festive season is a time when people are at risk of overeating and weight gain. An active break during this time can help maintain energy balance. Objectives. To determine steps taken during a walk/hike to Everest Base Camp and back and compare estimated activityrelated energy expenditure to a typical Christmas lunch. Methods. Five adults (39-70 years) completed an 11-day walk/hike. Pedometer-measured steps were recorded at two cadences: ‘aerobic’ (>100 steps/minute for 10 consecutive minutes) or ‘slower’ steps. Activity-related energy expenditure was estimated using generic values for walking uphill/downhill at each cadence. Energy intake of a typical Christmas lunch was estimated. Results. Participants accumulated a total of 143 770 steps, or 13 070 (SD 8 272) steps/day, 20% of which were ‘aerobic’. Total walk-related energy expenditure was estimated at 22 816 kcals, or 1 901 (SD 580) kcals/day. Conclusion. Estimated energy intake in one Christmas lunch equates to 1.7 days of walking/hiking. Keywords. Energy intake, physical activity, energy expenditure, pedometer

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Divergent Energy Expenditure Impacts Mouse Metabolic Adaptation to Acute High-Fat/High-Sucrose Diet Producing Sexually Dimorphic Weight Gain Patterns

10.1101/840702 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

E. Matthew Morris ◽

Roberto D. Noland ◽

Julie A. Allen ◽

Colin S. McCoin ◽

Qing Xia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Fat Mass ◽

High Fat ◽

Male And Female ◽

Female Mice ◽

High Sucrose

ABSTRACTObjectiveLong-term weight gain can result from cumulative small weight increases due to short-term excess caloric intake during weekends and holidays. Increased physical activity may mediate weight gain through increases in energy expenditure (EE) and reductions in energy balance. Current methods for modulating mouse EE (e.g. – exercise, chemical uncouplers, etc.) have confounding effects. However, it is known that mouse EE linearly increases as housing temperature decreases below the thermoneutral zone.MethodsTo determine how robust differences in baseline EE impact 7-day changes in weight and body composition on low-fat and high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diets, we performed indirect calorimetry measurements in male and female mice housed at divergent temperatures (20°C vs. 30°C).ResultsAs expected, mice housed at 30°C have ∼40% lower total EE and energy intake compared to 20°C mice regardless of diet or sex. Energy balance was increased with HFHS in all groups, with ∼30% greater increases observed in 30°C versus 20°C mice. HFHS increased weight gain regardless of temperature or sex. Interestingly, no HFHS-induced weight gain differences were observed between females at different temperatures. In contrast, 30°C male mice on HFHS gained ∼50% more weight than 20°C males, and ∼80% more weight compared to 30°C females. HFHS increased fat mass across all groups but 2-fold higher gains occurred in 30°C mice compared to 20°C mice. Females gained ∼35% less fat mass than males at both temperatures.ConclusionsTogether, these data reveal an interaction between divergent ambient temperature-induced EE and sex that impacted diet-induced patterns of short-term weight gain and body composition.HighlightsUtilized ambient temperature differences as an experimental tool to study the impact of divergent baseline energy expenditure on metabolic adaptation to high-fat, high-sucrose diet.Baseline energy expenditure and sex interact to impact diet-induced changes in body composition and weight gain.The energy expenditure and sex interaction is a result of an inverse relationship between fat mass gain and weight-adjusted total energy expenditure, as well as, diet-induced non-shivering thermogenesis.These data support that the hypothesis that higher energy expenditure amplifies the coupling of energy intake to energy expenditure during energy dense feeding, resulting in reduced positive energy balance and reduced gains in weight and adiposity.First evidence that energy expenditure level plays a role in the composition of weight gained by female mice during acute HFHS feeding.This study further highlights issues with obesity/energy metabolism research performed in mice at sub-thermoneutral housing temperatures, particularly with sex comparisons.GRAPHIC ABSTRACTLegend: Male and female mice housed at 30°C had lower energy expenditure (EE) & energy intake (EI), while having greater energy balance (EB), during 7-day high-fat/high-sucrose (HFHS) feeding compared to male and female mice, respectively, housed at 20°C. However, female mice had lower EB compared to males at both housing temperature. Female mice housed at 30°C gained less weight than 30°C males but gained the same relative amount of fat mass during acute HFHS feeding. Interestingly, 20°C females gained the same amount of weight as 20°C males but gained primarily fat-free mass, while the males gained the same proportion of fat as 30°C males and females.

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The effect of breakfast on appetite regulation, energy balance and exercise performance

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665115004243 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 75 (3) ◽

pp. 319-327 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

David J. Clayton ◽

Lewis J. James

Keyword(s):

Energy Balance ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Exercise Performance ◽

Intervention Studies ◽

Precise Determination ◽

Positive Energy ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Positive Energy Balance ◽

The Impact

The belief that breakfast is the most important meal of day has been derived from cross-sectional studies that have associated breakfast consumption with a lower BMI. This suggests that breakfast omission either leads to an increase in energy intake or a reduction in energy expenditure over the remainder of the day, resulting in a state of positive energy balance. However, observational studies do not imply causality. A number of intervention studies have been conducted, enabling more precise determination of breakfast manipulation on indices of energy balance. This review will examine the results from these studies in adults, attempting to identify causal links between breakfast and energy balance, as well as determining whether consumption of breakfast influences exercise performance. Despite the associations in the literature, intervention studies have generally found a reduction in total daily energy intake when breakfast is omitted from the daily meal pattern. Moreover, whilst consumption of breakfast supresses appetite during the morning, this effect appears to be transient as the first meal consumed after breakfast seems to offset appetite to a similar extent, independent of breakfast. Whether breakfast affects energy expenditure is less clear. Whilst breakfast does not seem to affect basal metabolism, breakfast omission may reduce free-living physical activity and endurance exercise performance throughout the day. In conclusion, the available research suggests breakfast omission may influence energy expenditure more strongly than energy intake. Longer term intervention studies are required to confirm this relationship, and determine the impact of these variables on weight management.

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Energy Balance and Energy Availability During a Selection Course for Belgian Paratroopers

Military Medicine ◽

10.1093/milmed/usab140 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Patrick Mullie ◽

Pieter Maes ◽

Laurens van Veelen ◽

Damien Van Tiggelen ◽

Peter Clarys

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Metabolic Rate ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Rest Metabolic Rate ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

Negative Energy Balance ◽

Energy Availability

ABSTRACT Introduction Adequate energy supply is a prerequisite for optimal performances and recovery. The aims of the present study were to estimate energy balance and energy availability during a selection course for Belgian paratroopers. Methods Energy expenditure by physical activity was measured with accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X+, ActiGraph LLC, Pensacola, FL, USA) and rest metabolic rate in Cal.d−1 with Tinsley et al.’s equation based on fat-free mass = 25.9 × fat-free mass in kg + 284. Participants had only access to the French individual combat rations of 3,600 Cal.d−1, and body fat mass was measured with quadripolar impedance (Omron BF508, Omron, Osaka, Japan). Energy availability was calculated by the formula: ([energy intake in foods and beverages] − [energy expenditure physical activity])/kg FFM−1.d−1, with FFM = fat-free mass. Results Mean (SD) age of the 35 participants was 25.1 (4.18) years, and mean (SD) percentage fat mass was 12.0% (3.82). Mean (SD) total energy expenditure, i.e., the sum of rest metabolic rate, dietary-induced thermogenesis, and physical activity, was 5,262 Cal.d−1 (621.2), with percentile 25 at 4,791 Cal.d−1 and percentile 75 at 5,647 Cal.d−1, a difference of 856 Cal.d−1. Mean daily energy intake was 3,600 Cal.d−1, giving a negative energy balance of 1,662 (621.2) Cal.d−1. Mean energy availability was 9.3 Cal.kg FFM−1.d−1. Eleven of the 35 participants performed with a negative energy balance of 2,000 Cal.d−1, and only five participants out of 35 participants performed at a less than 1,000 Cal.d−1 negative energy balance level. Conclusions Energy intake is not optimal as indicated by the negative energy balance and the low energy availability, which means that the participants to this selection course had to perform in suboptimal conditions.

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Energy expenditure, energy balance, and composition of weight gain in low birth weight infants fed diets of different protein and energy content

The Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1016/s0022-3476(87)80019-7 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 110 (5) ◽

pp. 753-759 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

Karl F. Schulze ◽

Mark Stefanski ◽

Julia Masterson ◽

Regina Spinnazola ◽

Rajasekhar Ramakrishnan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Birth Weight ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Energy Content ◽

Low Birth Weight Infants

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Energy Balance Coexists With Disproportionate Macronutrient Consumption Across Pretraining, During Training, and Posttraining Among Indian Junior Soccer Players

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.2017-0276 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 506-515 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Keren Susan Cherian ◽

Ashok Sainoji ◽

Balakrishna Nagalla ◽

Venkata Ramana Yagnambhatt

Keyword(s):

Energy Balance ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Energy Intake ◽

National Level ◽

Age Groups ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Positive Energy ◽

Nutrient Adequacy ◽

Food Records ◽

Significant Difference

Purpose: To evaluate energy expenditure, energy intake, and nutrient adequacy of Indian junior soccer players. Method: Forty junior national-level soccer players (Under-12 and Under-16 age groups) were assessed for 3-day weighed food records and 3-day energy expenditure. Energy and nutrient intake was analyzed from food records, and energy expenditure was measured using a portable metabolic analyzer and activity records. Nutrient adequacy was determined by comparing intake with prevailing recommendations. Results: Players exhibited no significant difference between energy intake (boys = 3062 [340.9] and girls = 2243 [320.3] kcal·d−1) and expenditure (boys = 2875 [717.3] and girls = 2442 [350.3] kcal·d−1). Across age groups, the Under-12 boys showed positive energy balance as against energy deficits in Under-16. Girls showed energy deficits, although not significant. There were 58% of girls showing energy availability <30 kcal·kg−1 fat-free mass, of which 37% were Under-16 players. Carbohydrates contributed to >60% of energy expenditure among 95.2% boys and 73.7% girls. Among 52.4% boys and 47.4% girls, <25% of energy expenditure was contributed by fat. More than 95% players consumed <1 g·kg−1 carbohydrates pretraining and 100% of them consumed >1.2 g·kg−1 carbohydrates posttraining. Conclusion: Junior soccer players consumed more than recommended carbohydrates in the diet, although not aligning with the pretraining, during training, and posttraining meal requirements. Considering the energy deficits observed among Under-16 players, a suitable dietary modification is warranted.

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Reduced Albumin Concentration Predicts Weight Gain and Higher Ad Libitum Energy Intake in Humans

Frontiers in Endocrinology ◽

10.3389/fendo.2021.642568 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Alessio Basolo ◽

Takafumi Ando ◽

Douglas C. Chang ◽

Tim Hollstein ◽

Jonathan Krakoff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

Albumin Concentration ◽

Plasma Albumin ◽

Clinical Trial Registration ◽

Ad Libitum ◽

Intake Regulation

ObjectiveCirculating albumin is negatively associated with adiposity but whether it is associated with increased energy intake, lower energy expenditure or weight gain has not been examined.MethodsIn study 1 (n=238; 146 men), we evaluated whether fasting albumin concentration was associated with 24-h energy expenditure and ad libitum energy intake. In study 2 (n=325;167 men), we evaluated the association between plasma albumin and change in weight and body composition.ResultsAfter adjustment for known determinants of energy intake lower plasma albumin concentration was associated with greater total daily energy intake (β= 89.8 kcal/day per 0.1 g/dl difference in plasma albumin, p=0.0047). No associations were observed between plasma albumin concentrations and 24-h energy expenditure or 24-h respiratory quotient (p>0.2). Over 6 years, volunteers gained on average 7.5 ± 11.7 kg (p<0.0001). Lower albumin concentrations were associated with greater weight [β=3.53 kg, p=0.039 (adjusted for age, sex, follow up time), CI 0.16 to 6.21 per 1 g/dl difference albumin concentration] and fat mass (β=2.3 kg, p=0.022), respectively, but not with changes in fat free mass (p=0.06).ConclusionsLower albumin concentrations were associated with increased ad libitum food intake and weight gain, indicating albumin as a marker of energy intake regulation.Clinical Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifiers NCT00340132, NCT00342732.

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