Is obesity associated with altered energy expenditure?
Open accessAbstract
Historically, obese individuals were believed to have lower energy expenditure (EE) rates than nonobese individuals (normal and overweight), which, in the long term, would contribute to a positive energy balance and subsequent weight gain. The aim of this review was to critically appraise studies that compared measures of EE and its components, resting EE (REE), activity EE (AEE), and diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), in obese and nonobese adults to elucidate whether obesity is associated with altered EE. Contrary to popular belief, research has shown that obese individuals have higher absolute REE and total EE. When body composition (namely the metabolically active component, fat-free mass) is taken into account, these differences between obese and nonobese individuals disappear, suggesting that EE in obese individuals is not altered. However, an important question is whether AEE is lower in obese individuals because of a decrease in overall physical activity or because of less energy expended while performing physical activity. AEE and DIT could be reduced in obese individuals, mostly because of unhealthy behavior (low physical activity, higher intake of fat). However, the current evidence does not support the hypothesis that obesity is sustained by lower daily EE or REE. Future studies, comparing EE between obese and nonobese and assessing potential physiologic abnormalities in obese individuals, should be able to better answer the question of whether these individuals have altered energy metabolism.
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Modifications in lean mass and adipose tissue mass are the primary influencers of BMR.
“According to existing literature, modifications in lean mass and adipose tissue mass are recognized as the primary influencers of BMR (13).”
From Diet and physical exercise as key players to tackle MASLD through improvement of insulin resistance and metabolic flexibility (2024) · cites this paper as [13]
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Carneiro, I. P., Elliott, S. A., Siervo, M., Padwal, R., Bertoli, S., Battezzati, A., & Prado, C. M.
- Affiliations
- Newcastle University (GB)
- University of Alberta (CA)
- University of Milan (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Prado, Carla M
- Venue
- Advances in Nutrition
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2016-05
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 476-487
- ISSN
- 2156-5376 (ISSN-L)
- 2161-8313
- PMC
- PMC4863259
- OpenAlex
- W2407776369
- Cited by
- 169
- References
- 63
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 2
- FWCI
- 1.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Advances in Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
- Keywords
- obesity, energy expenditure, resting energy expenditure, physical activity energy expenditure, diet-induced thermogenesis, body composition, fat-free mass, physical activity, energy balance, energy metabolism
- MeSH terms
- Basal Metabolism, Body Composition, Dietary Fats, Energy Metabolism, Humans, Obesity, Rest, Weight Gain, Exercise, Body Mass Index, Sedentary Behavior
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