CDC:The Caloric Balance Equation
When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight for a lifetime, the bottom line is – calories count! Weight management is all about balance—balancing the number of calories you consume with the number of calories your body uses or "burns off."
- A calorie is defined as a unit of energy supplied by food. A calorie is a calorie regardless of its source. Whether you're eating carbohydrates, fats, sugars, or proteins, all of them contain calories.
- Caloric balance is like a scale. To remain in balance and maintain your body weight, the calories consumed (from foods) must be balanced by the calories used (in normal body functions, daily activities, and exercise).
| If you are... | Your caloric balance status is... |
|---|---|
| Maintaining your weight | "in balance." You are eating roughly the same number of calories that your body is using. Your weight will remain stable. |
| Gaining weight | "in caloric excess." You are eating more calories than your body is using. You will store these extra calories as fat and you'll gain weight. |
| Losing weight | "in caloric deficit." You are eating fewer calories than you are using. Your body is pulling from its fat storage cells for energy, so your weight is decreasing. |
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