Energy balance
The thermic effect of food (TEF) increases linearly with caloric intake and is independent of leanness or obesity when meals are normalized to fat-free mass.
If you are obese, your body does not necessarily process food calories differently than a lean person's body. The increase in energy expenditure after eating scales directly with how much you eat, regardless of your weight. Focus on the total amount of calories consumed rather than assuming your body is uniquely efficient at storing them.
We conclude that the thermic effect of food increases linearly with caloric intake, and is independent of leanness and obesity.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with rigorous indirect calorimetry and standardized meal protocols, though small sample size (n=10).
Source
Thermic effect of food in lean and obese men.
David A. D’Alessio et al. · Journal of Clinical Investigation · 1988
DOI 10.1172/jci113520
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