Kalorikulutuksen

Kalorikulutus, also known as energy expenditure, refers to the total number of calories the body burns in a given period. This process is crucial for maintaining bodily functions and supporting physical activity. There are three primary components that contribute to an individual's total daily energy expenditure.

The largest component is the resting metabolic rate (RMR), which is the energy the body uses at rest to maintain vital functions such as breathing, circulation, and cell production. This can account for 60-75% of total daily energy expenditure.

The second component is the thermic effect of food (TEF), which is the energy required to digest, absorb, and metabolize the food consumed. TEF typically makes up about 10% of total daily energy expenditure.

The third and most variable component is the energy expended through physical activity. This includes both planned exercise and non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), which encompasses all other physical movement such as walking, fidgeting, and performing daily tasks. The amount of energy burned through physical activity can vary significantly from person to person based on their lifestyle and activity levels.

Understanding kalorikulutus is important for managing body weight, as it forms the basis of energy balance. Consuming more calories than the body expends leads to weight gain, while consuming fewer calories than expended leads to weight loss. Factors influencing kalorikulutus include age, sex, body composition, genetics, and environmental factors.