Kalorivahe

Kalorivahe is a term used in Estonian nutrition and health literature to describe the difference between calories consumed through food and drink and calories expended by the body and physical activity. It is a practical expression of the energy balance that underlies body weight changes. The word is formed from kalori (calorie) and vahe (difference).

In practice, kalorivahe is not a fixed number; it reflects daily variability in intake and expenditure and can accumulate over time to influence weight. A positive kalorivahe means more calories are consumed than expended, which tends to promote weight gain, while a negative kalorivahe means the opposite and tends to promote weight loss. A kalorivahe close to zero is associated with weight maintenance.

Energy intake includes all calories from food and beverages, whereas energy expenditure comprises basal metabolic rate, the thermic effect of food, physical activity, and adaptive thermogenesis. The sign and size of kalorivahe depend on both dietary choices and activity levels, as well as individual factors such as metabolism and body composition.

Measurement of kalorivahe is approximate in everyday use. People often estimate it with food diaries or nutrition labels and digital apps, but reporting errors and interindividual variation limit precision. In clinical and public health contexts, the concept helps explain why weight management outcomes vary and why simple calorie counting may be insufficient for everyone.

See also: energy balance, calorie deficit, metabolic rate, weight management.