Energy balance
Low total energy expenditure (TEE), specifically reduced expenditure for physical activity, facilitates rapid weight gain in genetically susceptible individuals by providing surplus energy for fat deposition.
If you are prone to weight gain, your body may naturally expend less energy through physical activity than others. This isn't just a result of being overweight; it's a mechanism that drives weight gain. To counteract this, you must consciously increase your physical activity levels, as your body may not naturally adjust its expenditure to match higher intake. While you may not see massive fat loss from exercise alone, it is a necessary lever to prevent surplus energy storage.
The combined results from these investigations strongly support the view that low energy expenditure can facilitate rapid weight gain in susceptible individuals.
Why this rating
Based on multiple prospective studies using doubly labeled water and metabolic chambers, though some conflicting data exists.
Source
Abnormalities of Energy Expenditure and the Development of Obesity
Susan B. Roberts · Obesity Research · 1995
DOI 10.1002/j.1550-8528.1995.tb00458.x
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