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Review
. 2014 Aug;10(2):131-135.
doi: 10.17925/EE.2014.10.02.131. Epub 2014 Aug 28.

Energy Flux and its Role in Obesity and Metabolic Disease

Gregory A Hand  1 , Steven N Blair  2
Affiliations
Review

Energy Flux and its Role in Obesity and Metabolic Disease

Gregory A Hand et al. Eur Endocrinol. 2014 Aug.

Abstract

In order to reverse the global obesity pandemic, there is a need for an enhanced understanding of the energy dynamics that underlie the problem. To maintain a stable body weight, energy intake must, over time, match or equal energy expenditure, a concept known as energy balance. Obesity results from a positive state of energy balance (i.e. when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure). However, recent research suggests that strategies to combat obesity should focus on energy flux (the amount of calories going through a system), rather than energy balance alone. In other words, it is easier to maintain weight loss at higher levels of physical activity. Recent findings suggest that a high energy flux, maintained by increasing energy expenditure, can improve an individual's metabolic profile without changing weight. Further understanding of this concept may help in the design of interventions to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Keywords: Energy balance; energy flux; metabolic disease; obesity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Gregory A Hand and Steven N Blair have received an unrestricted research grant from The Coca-Cola Company.

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:. Changes in Levels of Physical Activity and Time Spent in Sedentary Behaviour in the US
Measured from 1965 to 2009 with projections from 2010 to 2030. MET = metabolic equivalents. Source: Ng and Popkin, 2012.
Figure 2:
Figure 2:. Impact of Increase in Physical Activity of Energy Balance
Sources: Hill et al. 2012 and Mayer et al. 1956.
Figure 3:
Figure 3:. Change in Insulin-stimulated Suppression of Glucose Rate of Appearance in Individuals Undertaking Diet and Exercise Interventions
Source: Coker et al. 2009.
Figure 4:
Figure 4:. Impact of Equivalent High Energy Fluxes Mediated by Either Energy Expenditure or Energy Storage
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Grants and funding

Support: The publication of this article was supported by The Coca-Cola Company. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors.

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