Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) made up of a number of different things:

• Exercise Energy Expenditure (EEE) = energy expended during exercise.
• Thermic Effect Of Food (TEF) = energy expended through digesting food (protein has the highest TEF of all the macronutrients).
• Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) = energy expended for everything that is not sleeping, eating or exercise.
• Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) = energy required to sustain vital functions in a waking but inactive state.

The easiest way to control the energy balance equation is to control the input (calories in) and we never advise our clients to approach exercise as a tool to ‘burn off’ calories - that encourages an unhealthy approach and takes away from all its other benefits. However, NEAT is absolutely something to consider when looking at weight management.

NEAT is the easiest part of the energy output equation to manipulate and is most often tracked through tracking someone’s steps as it tends to be a good indicator of daily activity levels.

Physical Health