The Claim

Reductions in basal metabolic rate and sleeping metabolic rate contribute to energy compensation in animal studies and longer-duration human studies, but do not fully account for the observed compensation in total daily energy expenditure.

Source: The evidence for constrained total energy expenditure in humans and other animals.

What the research says

Not yet evaluated

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

How it works
1 study reviewed
In plain English

When the body's resting energy use decreases during weight loss, it partially explains why total daily energy expenditure drops, but other factors also contribute to this reduction.

See the scientific wording

Reductions in basal metabolic rate and sleeping metabolic rate contribute to energy compensation in animal studies and longer-duration human studies, but do not fully account for the observed compensation in total daily energy expenditure.

Why this might work

When energy demands increase, the body lowers its baseline energy use by slowing down cellular processes in multiple organs, which reduces the total calories burned each day — even when activity goes up.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: The evidence for constrained total energy expenditure in humans and other animals.

    When people or animals exercise a lot, their bodies save energy by burning fewer calories at rest—but even this saving doesn’t explain all the energy they’re saving. The study shows this exact thing.

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.