Research
Energy balance
Small, persistent positive energy balances (approx. 2 kcal/day) are sufficient to drive population-level obesity prevalence increases, primarily through reduced energy expenditure rather than increased intake.
Focus on increasing daily movement and reducing sedentary time. Even small improvements in activity can offset the subtle energy imbalances that drive weight gain, especially if your diet is already stable or improving.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
a constant positive energy balance of about 2 kcal/day may be sufficient to increase the average body weights of individuals by about 1 kilo in ten years resulting in a substantial increase in the prevalence of obesity.
Why this rating
Based on large-scale epidemiological data (WHO-MONICA, national surveys) and logical deduction of energy balance.
Source
Time Trends in Obesity: An Epidemiological Perspective
Jacob C. Seidell · Hormone and Metabolic Research · 1997
DOI 10.1055/s-2007-979011
narrative_reviewCited 173×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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