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Energy Balance and Calories

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Energy Balance and Calories

Explore how food energy and the body's energy use fit together. Use the fictional examples—not personal calorie targets—to answer. During adolescence, bodies need energy for growth as well as daily life, and needs vary from person to person. Calories are not a measure of whether a food or person is “good” or “bad.”

The Energy-Balance Basics

Energy balance compares energy taken in from food and drinks with energy the body uses. Energy use includes basic body functions, movement, and growth.

1.What does a calorie measure?

The amount of energy
The amount of protein only
How healthy a food is
How much water a food contains

2.Which statement best describes basal metabolic rate (BMR)?

Energy the body uses for essential functions at rest
Energy used only during sports
Energy contained in one meal
Energy used only while sleeping

3.Select all the factors that can affect a person's daily energy use.

Age and growth
Physical activity
Body size and composition
Favourite music
Basic body functions

4.True or false: A calorie surplus means energy intake is greater than energy used over a period of time. Explain what “over a period of time” adds to the statement.

Read the Scenario

Lucas's class is discussing a fictional day. The figures below are simplified estimates for learning, not recommendations or a way to assess anyone's health.

Energy from food and drinks: 2,400 kcal

Estimated energy used: 2,250 kcal

5.Using Lucas's fictional snapshot, calculate the difference between energy intake and estimated energy use. Is intake higher or lower?

6.Why would it be misleading to conclude from this one fictional day that Lucas's body weight or health will change in a particular way?

7.Complete this sentence using surplus, deficit, or maintenance: Intake and use are approximately balanced over time: .

8.Complete this sentence using surplus, deficit, or maintenance: Intake is greater than use over time: .

9.Complete this sentence using surplus, deficit, or maintenance: Intake is lower than use over time: .

Think Like a Health Advocate

Use evidence and respectful language. Energy needs differ, and calorie counting is not necessary for everyone.

10.A teammate says, “Exercise burns calories, so the only reason our bodies need energy is sport.” Correct the claim by naming two other ways the body uses energy.

11.A classmate calls foods “good” or “bad” based only on their calorie numbers. Write a respectful response that explains why this is an incomplete way to think about food and suggests one more useful factor to consider.