Caloric Expenditure

Definition

Caloric expenditure is the number of calories your body burns to maintain basic bodily functions and perform physical activities.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Caloric expenditure, also known as energy expenditure, refers to the total amount of calories burned by the body over a certain period. It includes basal metabolic rate (BMR), the thermic effect of food (TEF), and energy spent on physical activities. BMR accounts for the energy needed to maintain basic physiological functions at rest, TEF involves digesting and metabolizing food, and the physical activity component includes all forms of movement and exercise.

Benefits

• Helps in maintaining or achieving a healthy body weight.
• Supports optimal metabolic function.
• Aids in energy balance management.
• Can enhance physical fitness and endurance.

Examples

• Running, swimming, or cycling increases caloric expenditure.
• Even routine activities such as walking and cleaning contribute to caloric expenditure.
• Body maintains caloric expenditure even at rest to power vital functions like breathing and circulation.

Additional Information

• Importance: Caloric expenditure is crucial for managing body weight and ensuring that energy intake does not exceed energy burned, which can lead to weight gain.

Related Terms

• Basal Metabolic Rate
• Thermic Effect of Food
• Energy Balance
• Metabolic Rate

References

• Understanding Energy Expenditure
• Human energy requirements