Weight Control

Running head : WEIGHT CONTROL

Weight Control

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[Date] The first law of thermodynamics which states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed and that it is only transformed or transferred to its surroundings applies to the human body . This implies that the macronutrients taken in by the body can only either be used or stored Energy taken in by the body must be equivalent to the body 's energy output if it is to maintain its weight . Energy taken in excess will necessarily be converted to a

form of potential energy . In the human body , this potential energy takes the form of fat or adipose . A higher energy input relative to energy output will naturally favor the formation of fat regardless of the energy source , be it carbohydrates fat or protein . Such conversion is reflected by an increase in body mass and body weight . On the other hand , a higher energy output will favor the mobilization of energy stores which is reflected by a decrease in body weight (Whitney and Cataldo , 2002

These are the basics of weight control which , unfortunately are the extent of knowledge from which laymen derive their actions when managing their weights . Nutrition education is after all , limited to dietary guidelines and simple tips that target the general population (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 2008 . However , awareness , and even a rigid application of such oversimplified principles do not guarantee of study with its own set of complications that must be fully understood if one is to aim mechanisms as well as individual differences in physiology complicate the process of weight control and give birth to certain factors that must be considered in controlling weight (Whitney and Cataldo , 2002 Weight control is therefore not simply a matter of reducing or increasing intake and physical activity . It is a highly technical subject that requires understanding and knowledge of human physiology and the contingencies resulting from individual differences

The differences in body weight and the rate of weight change are dependent , essentially on the resting metabolic rate . 70 of the body 's about 20 comes from physical activities while the rest comes from the thermal effect of food which includes all the energy expenditures required in digestion , from mastication in the mouth until the body completely metabolizes the food . In principle , it is this resting metabolic rate that adjusts itself depending on one 's physical activities and body composition . Any change in the other components of the effect , is balanced by a subsequent adaptive response that manifests itself through the changes in resting metabolic rate (Whitney and Cataldo , 2002 . A change in physical activities without any change in energy intake , for example , will result in a sudden increase or decrease in body weight until the resting metabolic rate adjusts itself to bring back the One principle that must be noted in understanding weight control is that the magnitude of energy output does not depend on an individual 's body weight but more on an individual 's...