The Claim

Activity energy expenditure, adjusted for body composition and age, has increased significantly over a 30-year period in both males and females across U.S. and European populations.

Source: Total daily energy expenditure has declined over the last 3 decades due to declining basal expenditure not reduced activity expenditure.

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
44score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Description
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Over the past 30 years, the amount of energy people burn through physical activity, after accounting for differences in body size and age, has gone up in both men and women in the United States and Europe.

See the scientific wording

Activity energy expenditure adjusted for body composition and age has increased significantly over 30 years in both males and females in U.S. and European populations, contradicting the assumption that reduced physical activity drives obesity.

Why this might work

When people eat less saturated fat and more plant oils, the fats in their cell membranes change, making mitochondria less efficient at producing heat. This causes the body to burn fewer calories at rest, which explains why people are burning less energy even though they are moving more.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Total daily energy expenditure has declined over the last 3 decades due to declining basal expenditure not reduced activity expenditure.

    Even though people are getting heavier, they’re actually moving more and burning more energy through activity than they did 30 years ago—so the rise in obesity isn’t because people are sitting around more.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.