Human Nutrition 3(3+0)

Lesson 8 : Physical Activity and Thermogenic Effect of Food

Energy for physical activity

Physical activity demands about 25% to 40 % of total energy output. In choosing to be inactive or active, we determine our energy expenditure. Unlike basal metabolism, this expenditure varies widely among people. Basal metabolism uses roughly the same proportion of energy in most people ( usually ± 25% to 30%).

Climbing stairs rather than riding the elevator, walking rather driving to store, and standing in a bus rather than sitting increase physical activity and hence, energy use.