Energy Balance
The fundamental principle of weight management describing the relationship between calories consumed and calories burned.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Energy balance is the relationship between the calories you consume through food and drink and the calories your body uses for daily functions and physical activity. Weight gain happens when you take in more energy than you burn, and weight loss happens when you burn more than you consume.
Medical
Clinical Definition
Energy balance is governed by the first law of thermodynamics: body energy stores change as a function of energy intake minus energy expenditure. Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) comprises resting metabolic rate (60–75%), the thermic effect of food (10%), and physical activity (15–30%). However, energy balance is dynamic — reductions in intake trigger adaptive thermogenesis that lowers expenditure, underscoring the complexity of sustained weight loss beyond simple calorie counting.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
Understanding energy balance helps you make informed choices about diet and activity. Dr. Joseph Wang uses metabolic assessments to personalise your energy targets for effective, sustainable weight loss.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.
