Energy balance
Adaptive thermogenesis (AT) during weight loss is a real but modest phenomenon, averaging approximately 120 kcal/day (0.5 MJ), with a prevalence of 29-50% depending on the weight loss strategy, and is largely independent of the magnitude or rate of weight loss.
When you lose weight, your body does reduce its energy expenditure slightly (adaptive thermogenesis), averaging about 120 calories per day. This is a real physiological response, but it is modest and does not prevent further weight loss if you maintain your caloric deficit. Do not expect your metabolism to 'break' or stop your progress; consistency in your energy intake relative to your new body size is what matters.
With controlled underfeeding, AT takes more than 2 wk to develop. AT accounts to an average of 0.5 MJ (or 120 kcal) with a considerable between subject variance.
Why this rating
Based on a review of multiple controlled human studies (CALERIE, Minnesota, Biosphere 2) and the authors' own metabolic ward data.
Source
Adaptive thermogenesis with weight loss in humans
Manfred J. Müller et al. · Obesity · 2013
DOI 10.1002/oby.20027
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