Tag: Calories in vs out

According to the National Institutes of Health, the obesity problem in the US is driven by a small, daily energy imbalance that accumulates over time. But is energy balance related to calories in equaling calories out in the simplistic way it's often portrayed? The answer lies in a nuanced understanding of how the body regulates weight, moving beyond a simple mathematical equation.

According to a 2023 report from CNN, regularly exercising while consistently eating an unhealthy diet can still lead to a greater risk of mortality compared to those who pair exercise with healthy eating. This challenges the popular but flawed idea: is it okay to eat junk food if you burn it off? Experts say no, for reasons that extend far beyond weight management alone.

According to the laws of thermodynamics, energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred, which is the foundational principle for understanding energy balance in the human body. This biological equilibrium is what determines whether your body weight remains stable, increases, or decreases over time, and it is governed by the relationship between the calories you consume and the calories you expend.

Research consistently confirms that creating a calorie deficit is the fundamental principle for weight loss. To achieve this, understanding how to track calories in and out is essential for managing your body weight, whether your goal is to lose fat, gain muscle, or maintain your current physique.

Research shows that an average adult can gain 0.5–1 kg per year from a surprisingly small daily energy imbalance. Understanding what energy balance means is therefore a fundamental concept for preventing weight gain and maintaining a healthy body weight.