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Related Concept Videos

Energy Balance01:19

Energy Balance

The human body gets energy from the three macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Energy is released when the chemical bonds in the organic compounds present in the food are broken down. The energy content of food is measured in kilocalories (kcal), defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius. This value is determined by measuring the temperature change of the water surrounding a calorimeter after the complete...
Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation01:24

Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation

During the initial hours of fasting, the body uses up its glycogen stores as an energy source. Once these glycogen reserves are depleted, the body begins breaking down stored triglycerides and structural proteins. During this stage, glycerol becomes a key substrate for gluconeogenesis, while free fatty acids undergo beta-oxidation to provide energy for tissues, such as skeletal muscle. In the fasting state, the body spares protein breakdown as much as possible to conserve muscle and structural...
Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State01:18

Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State

The postabsorptive state usually starts about four hours after a meal and lasts until the next meal is eaten. During this time, the digestive system stops absorbing nutrients, and the body uses stored energy reserves to maintain stable blood glucose levels.
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...
Metabolic Rate01:25

Metabolic Rate

The human body is a powerhouse of energy, with every cell performing numerous functions that require energy. This energy production and consumption is measured by the metabolic rate, which quantifies the total heat generated by all the body's chemical reactions and mechanical work. This measurement helps to determine the rate of kilocalorie (kcal) consumption needed to fuel all ongoing activities.
The Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) measures the energy expended at rest.
Several factors influence the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Determining Basal Energy Expenditure and the Capacity of Thermogenic Adipocytes to Expend Energy in Obese Mice
06:57

Determining Basal Energy Expenditure and the Capacity of Thermogenic Adipocytes to Expend Energy in Obese Mice

Published on: November 11, 2021

Greater than predicted decrease in resting energy expenditure and weight loss: results from a systematic review.

Alexander Schwartz1, Jennifer L Kuk, Gilles Lamothe

  • 1Behavioral and Metabolic Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|February 14, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Weight loss can lead to a greater than predicted decrease in resting energy expenditure (EE). However, this systematic review found that changes in fat mass and fat-free mass largely explain resting EE changes, refuting this notion.

More Related Videos

Body Composition and Metabolic Caging Analysis in High Fat Fed Mice
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Body Composition and Metabolic Caging Analysis in High Fat Fed Mice

Published on: May 24, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 25, 2026

Determining Basal Energy Expenditure and the Capacity of Thermogenic Adipocytes to Expend Energy in Obese Mice
06:57

Determining Basal Energy Expenditure and the Capacity of Thermogenic Adipocytes to Expend Energy in Obese Mice

Published on: November 11, 2021

Body Composition and Metabolic Caging Analysis in High Fat Fed Mice
10:28

Body Composition and Metabolic Caging Analysis in High Fat Fed Mice

Published on: May 24, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Metabolism and Human Physiology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Body Composition Analysis

Background:

  • Controversy exists regarding whether resting energy expenditure (EE) decreases more than predicted during weight loss.
  • Previous studies suggest a disproportionately large drop in resting EE beyond changes in body mass.
  • Understanding these metabolic adaptations is crucial for effective weight management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and analyze data from a large sample size to determine if resting EE decreases more than predicted during weight loss.
  • To investigate the predictive power of changes in fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) on resting EE.
  • To compare observed resting EE changes against the Harris-Benedict prediction equation.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies.
  • Weighted data analysis using partial residual plots and multiple regression.
  • Subgroup analysis comparing observed EE changes to the Harris-Benedict prediction equation in 1,450 subjects.

Main Results:

  • Subjects experienced significant weight loss (9.4 ± 5.5 kg) and a mean resting EE decline (126.4 ± 78.1 kcal/day).
  • Changes in FM and FFM significantly predicted resting EE variance (76.5% and 79.3% respectively).
  • A subgroup analysis showed a ~29.1% greater than predicted decrease in resting EE compared to the Harris-Benedict equation, but overall findings do not support this notion.

Conclusions:

  • Changes in fat mass and fat-free mass adequately explain the observed decreases in resting energy expenditure during weight loss.
  • The study does not support the hypothesis that resting EE declines more than predicted solely based on body composition changes.
  • Metabolic adaptations during weight loss appear to be largely predictable by alterations in body mass components.