Issues in Measuring and Interpreting Energy Balance and Its Contribution to Obesity

Abstract

Purpose of review: Obesogenic environment challenges individuals' ability to preserve energy homeostasis, leading to weight gain. To understand how this energy imbalance proceeds, several methods and analytical procedures to determine energy intake and expenditure are currently available. However, these methods and procedures are not exempt from issues that may lead to equivocal conclusions. Our purpose herein is to discuss major issues involved in energy balance assessment.

Recent findings: Measurement of energy intake mostly relies on self-report methods that provide inaccurate data. In contrast, determination of energy expenditure is more accurate as long as methodological and analytical issues are correctly addressed. Accurate measurements of energy expenditure can be obtained with the current methods once issues in measuring and interpreting data are correctly addressed. However, development of new technologies to measure energy intake is imperative to further understand the small and chronic energy imbalance leading to obesity.

Keywords: Body composition; Carbohydrate balance; Energy expenditure; Indirect calorimetry; Metabolic rate.