energiansaantiin

Energiansaanti, in nutrition science, refers to the total amount of energy obtained from all foods and beverages consumed over a given period, typically 24 hours. It is expressed in kilocalories (kcal) or kilojoules (kJ). Energy intake is a central component of energy balance, which also includes energy expenditure through basal metabolism, physical activity, and the thermic effect of food.

The amount of energiansaanti a person needs depends on individual factors such as age, sex, body size, activity level, and physiological state (for example pregnancy or illness). National and international guidelines describe ranges for daily energy intake, emphasizing that needs vary widely between individuals and over time. Maintaining a stable body weight generally requires that energy intake approximate energy expenditure, while persistent excess leads to weight gain and persistent deficit to weight loss.

Measuring energy intake typically involves self-reported dietary methods, such as 24-hour dietary recalls, food records or diaries, and food frequency questionnaires. These methods rely on portion size estimation and accurate reporting, but are prone to underreporting or misreporting. In research, energy intake can be estimated by comparing reported intake with measures of energy expenditure, such as doubly labeled water, though perfect accuracy is difficult to achieve with self-report methods alone.

Energiansaanti is used in clinical nutrition, public health, and research to assess dietary adequacy, plan meals, and monitor changes during weight management or treatment of undernutrition. It intersects with energy expenditure and nutrient intake, shaping overall dietary quality and metabolic health.