Prediction of body weight changes caused by changes in energy balance

Abstract

Background: Experimental difficulties have so far restricted knowledge of the effects of energy imbalance on change in body weight. Direct measurement requires that the subjects are kept under dietary supervision for several months while the activity is being measured.

Materials and methods: The effects of energy balance can be calculated using a combination of fundamental principles and directly measurable data: the law of energy conservation (increase in combustible energy equals the difference between energy intake and energy expenditure); data on energy expenditure of fat and lean tissues; and data on the composition of added/removed tissue during weight change.

Results and conclusions: We obtained an explicit differential equation describing the development of body weight over time, with energy intake and energy expenditure as control variables. Using this model it is possible to isolate and analyse the measured effects of parameters not included in the model, such as age or 'adaptivity' of the body.