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Pediatric Obesity pp 305–319Cite as

Energy Expenditure in Children: The Role of NEAT (Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis)

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Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Abstract

By the law of conservation of energy, body fat increases when energy intake is consistently greater than energy expenditure. Excess body fat and obesity are the result of sustained positive energy balance. The pandemic of obesity has spread from the United States to Europe and is now emerging in middle- and even low-income countries. In the United States, for example, since the 1970s the weight of the average person has increased by ~12 kg; importantly this trend affects all ages, races, and socio-economic groups.

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Acknowledgments

Sources of support: Supported by grants DK56650, DK63226, DK66270, DK50456 (Minnesota Obesity Center), HD52001, and RR-0585 from the US Public Health Service and by the Mayo Foundation and by a grant to the Mayo Foundation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA

    Lorraine Lanningham-Foster PhD

  2. Department for Obesity Solutions, Mayo Clinic and Arizona State University, Scottsdale, AZ, USA

    James A. Levine MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Lorraine Lanningham-Foster PhD
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  2. James A. Levine MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to James A. Levine MD, PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Duke University School of Medicine , Durham, North Carolina, USA

    Michael S. Freemark

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Lanningham-Foster, L., Levine, J.A. (2018). Energy Expenditure in Children: The Role of NEAT (Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis). In: Freemark, M. (eds) Pediatric Obesity. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68192-4_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68192-4_18

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Cham

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