Energy, BMR, PAL and Energy Balance
Explaining how basal metabolism, activity and other factors shape energy need and how intake and expenditure affect body mass.
How to prepare for the written examination
Move from person or food context to relevant evidence, scientific or nutritional principle, consequence and justified decision. Complete all practical and NEA work only through authorised centre arrangements.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Basal metabolic rate is the energy used to maintain essential body processes at rest, while physical activity level reflects movement-related demand.
Exam cue: Name the factor, state how it changes demand and explain why.
Concept 2
Age, body size and composition, sex, growth, pregnancy, health and environmental conditions can affect energy requirements.
Exam cue: Distinguish BMR from PAL before combining them in an energy argument.
Concept 3
Energy balance compares intake with expenditure over time; persistent imbalance can change body mass, but individual health interpretation requires appropriate evidence.
Exam cue: Use kilojoules or kilocalories consistently with the supplied data.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Describing BMR as the energy used only during sleep.
Guardrail: Do not replace explanation with a memorised food fact, undated public-health figure or a practical project that belongs to NEA.
Assuming every active person has the same energy requirement.
Guardrail: Do not replace explanation with a memorised food fact, undated public-health figure or a practical project that belongs to NEA.
Treating one meal as proof of long-term positive or negative energy balance.
Guardrail: Do not replace explanation with a memorised food fact, undated public-health figure or a practical project that belongs to NEA.
Memory anchors
Basal Metabolic Rate
The energy required to maintain essential body processes at rest.
Physical Activity Level
A measure or category reflecting energy expenditure through activity.
Energy Balance
The relationship between energy consumed and energy expended over time.
Positive Energy Balance
A sustained condition in which energy intake exceeds expenditure.
Negative Energy Balance
A sustained condition in which energy expenditure exceeds intake.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
What does basal metabolic rate describe?
Which factor generally raises basal metabolic rate?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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