Abstract
Understanding the dynamic nature of energy balance, and the interrelated and synergistic roles of diet and physical activity (PA) on body weight, will enable nutrition educators to be more effective in implementing obesity prevention education. Although most educators recognize that diet and PA are important for weight management, they may not fully understand their impact on energy flux and how diet alters energy expenditure and energy expenditure alters diet. Many nutrition educators have little training in exercise science; thus, they may not have the knowledge essential to understanding the benefits of PA for health or weight management beyond burning calories. This paper highlights the importance of advancing nutrition educators’ understanding about PA, and its synergistic role with diet, and the value of incorporating a dynamic energy balance approach into obesity-prevention programs. Five key points are highlighted: (1) the concept of dynamic vs. static energy balance; (2) the role of PA in weight management; (3) the role of PA in appetite regulation; (4) the concept of energy flux; and (5) the integration of dynamic energy balance into obesity prevention programs. The rationale for the importance of understanding the physiological relationship between PA and diet for effective obesity prevention programming is also reviewed.
Highlights
Body composition and weight are the sum of numerous factors that regulate and influence the “intake” and “expenditure” sides of the energy balance equation
Studies consistently suggest that women are more prone to compensatory behaviors, or “eating back” energy expended during exercise by increasing energy intake, thereby negating body weight loss [63,64,80], such compensatory behaviors do occur in both sexes
Understanding the dynamics of energy balance and the synergistic and interrelated role that diet and physical activity (PA) play in weight management is important for the development and implementation of effective obesity prevention programs
Summary
Body composition and weight are the sum of numerous factors that regulate and influence the “intake” and “expenditure” sides of the energy balance equation. Approach when discussing weight management or weight loss with the public or their clients (see Table 1 and Figure 1) [3,18] This approach states that a ‘change in energy stores = energy intake − energy expenditure’ and assumes that by changing either side of the energy balance equation weight is gained or lost (e.g., increasing or decreasing 3500 kcal (7700 kJ) will result in a one pound (454 g) weight gain or loss) [18,33]. To help to operationalize the dynamic energy balance to model and usable for nutrition developed better predict body weight changes in response changes in make energy it intake and/or energy expenditure a given timetwo period [38,42]. Applicable to youth, athletes, or individuals who are not overweight.
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