2018 Volume 45 Issue 4 Pages 569-572
Objective Obesity occurs when energy intake consistently exceeds energy expenditure. Nonexercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is an important component of daily energy expenditure. It represents common daily activities, such as fidgeting, walking, and standing. To investigate the relationship of nutrient intake and energy expenditure with obesity, we compared lifestyle habits in obese and non-obese Japanese adults by estimating their nutritional intake and energy expenditure values, focusing on the role of NEAT in obesity.
Methods Forty-nine men who underwent anti-aging health checks at Tokai University Tokyo Hospital were enrolled in the study. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQg) was used to estimate nutrient intake and energy expenditure values.
Results There was no significant difference in nutrient intake values, and total daily energy expenditure, resting energy expenditure and exercise energy expenditure between the non-obesity and obesity groups. Physical activities excluding exercise were subdivided into the following six categories: sleeping, resting, sedentary activity, light physical activity, moderate physical activity and vigorous physical activity. It was found that the number of hours of light physical activity and moderate physical activity, corresponding to NEAT, was significantly less in the obesity group than in the non-obesity group.
Conclusion The present study showed that obesity in Japanese men was associated with decreased NEAT rather than excessive energy intake and/or decreased physical exercise. Approaches to enhance NEAT, for example, changes in posture and movement, could have a substantial impact on the prevention and reduction of obesity.
