Total daily energy expenditure has declined over the past three decades due to declining basal expenditure, not reduced activity expenditure.

ABSTRACT: Obesity is caused by a prolonged positive energy balance^1,2. Whether reduced energy expenditure stemming from reduced activity levels contributes is debated^3,4. Here we show that in both sexes, total energy expenditure (TEE) adjusted for body composition and age declined since the late 1980s, while adjusted activity energy expenditure increased over time. We use the International Atomic Energy Agency Doubly Labelled Water database on energy expenditure of adults in the United States and Europe (n = 4,799) to explore patterns in total (TEE: n = 4,799), basal (BEE: n = 1,432) and physical activity energy expenditure (n = 1,432) over time. In males, adjusted BEE decreased significantly, but in females this did not reach significance. A larger dataset of basal metabolic r

SUBMITTER: Speakman JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10445668 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature