Tag: Energy surplus

The human body stores approximately 400,000 kJ of energy in fat compared to only 8,000 kJ in glycogen. When faced with an energy surplus, the body initiates a series of complex metabolic processes to handle the excess fuel, not just burn it off. So, which statement about the body's response to energy surplus is false?

According to the fundamental law of conservation of energy, the body cannot create or destroy energy; it can only convert or store it. Therefore, when a person is in a state of positive energy balance, meaning they consume more calories than they burn, the surplus energy is stored within the body.

According to the National Institutes of Health, when energy intake exceeds the body's needs, the excess is stored, primarily as body fat. This state, known as an energy surplus, is the direct opposite of an energy deficit, which is often pursued for weight loss.

Over 43% of adults in the US were overweight in 2022, a statistic that highlights a common issue of positive energy balance, where energy intake exceeds expenditure. So, what happens when we take in more energy than we need? The body, an efficient survival machine, has mechanisms to store this surplus, which can have both short-term and long-term health consequences.

According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, a small, consistent positive energy balance can result in gradual weight gain over time for most adults. A positive energy balance occurs when the energy you consume through food and beverages exceeds the energy your body expends. This surplus energy doesn't simply vanish; instead, it is allocated by the body with a range of consequences, both beneficial and detrimental, depending on the individual's goals and health status.

According to a 2022 study, consuming excess energy, even by a small amount over time, is the main driver of weight gain. A surplus of energy for the body, or caloric surplus, occurs when your calorie intake consistently exceeds your total energy expenditure. The body uses this extra energy for various functions, including storing it as fat or, when combined with resistance training, building muscle mass.