The Obesity Epidemic: A Consequence of Reduced Energy Expenditure and the Uncoupling of Energy Intake?

Abstract

Obesity prevalence has increased, and increased energy intake or decreased physical activity are the two most obvious contributing factors. The percentage of Americans engaging in exercise has been stable over the past few decades, but decreases in occupation-related energy expenditure are sufficient to partially explain increased obesity prevalence. Further, the contribution of energy intake and energy expenditure to the obesity epidemic is complicated because they are not independent—they are influenced by each other. For example, Mayer found that low activity levels were marked by higher body weight and higher “unregulated” energy intake levels. Conversely, higher activity levels were marked by lower body weight and energy intake that matched energy expenditure. Consistent with Mayer, we propose that because most Americans have low levels of occupation-related activity, they do not benefit from the regulation of energy intake achieved at higher activity levels, resulting in weight gain due to energy intake exceeding energy expenditure.