Abstract
The incidence of overweight and obesity in the United States and worldwide has reached
epidemic proportions. To effectively intervene, dietetics professionals and other
health care practitioners need to address both sides of the energy balance equation
when counseling clients and patients. Often, the focus on energy intake supersedes
the promotion of a physically active lifestyle. Incorporating appropriate and sufficient
physical activity into one’s life is an essential component of achieving and maintaining
a healthful body weight. This review summarizes background knowledge on the benefits
of physical activity for health and provides an overview of available tools for measuring
physical activity and energy expenditure. The physical and mental health benefits
of an active lifestyle, current physical activity recommendations for the US public,
the prevalence of inactivity in the United States, and components of energy expenditure
are reviewed. Additionally, tools for estimating total energy expenditure, resting
metabolic rate, and physical activity are evaluated and suitable approaches for applying
these tools are provided.
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Biography
N. L. Keim is a research chemist and C. A. Blanton is a research nutritionist with the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis, CA.
Biography
M. J. Kretsch is a national program leader in human nutrition with the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Program Staff, Beltsville, MD.
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© 2004 American Dietetic Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
