Griera, José LuísManzanares, José MaríaBarbany, MontserratContreras, JoséAmigó, PSalas-Salvadó, Jordi2012-05-042012-05-042007-10Griera JL, Manzanares JM, Barbany M, Contreras J, Amigó P, Salas-Salvadó J. Physical activity, energy balance and obesity. Public Health Nutr. 2007 Oct;10(10A):1194-9.1368-9800http://hdl.handle.net/10668/391Obesity appears when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. The most important variable compound of energy expenditure is physical activity. The global epidemics of obesity seem closely related to reduced physical activity and sedentariness widely increasing nowadays. Once obesity has developed, caloric intake becomes similar to energy expenditure. To lose weight, besides decreasing energy intake, energy expenditure must be increased. The promotion of physical activity is difficult and so the results of treatment of obesity are discouraging for doctors, other health professionals and patients. Proactive efforts from patients and health providers with an intensive feedback between them may be extremely helpful. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to provide better approaches on the role of physical activity for the prevention and treatment of obesity and for long-term weight-loss maintenance.enPhysical ActivityEnergyObesityActividad físicaEnergíaObesidadMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Diagnosis::Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures::Diagnostic Techniques, Endocrine::Thyroid Function Tests::Basal MetabolismMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Metabolic Phenomena::Metabolism::Energy MetabolismMedical Subject Headings::Anthropology, Education, Sociology and Social Phenomena::Human Activities::ExerciseMedical Subject Headings::Organisms::Eukaryota::Animals::Chordata::Vertebrates::Mammals::Primates::Haplorhini::Catarrhini::Hominidae::HumansMedical Subject Headings::Anthropology, Education, Sociology and Social Phenomena::Social Sciences::Policy::Social Control Policies::Public Policy::Health Policy::Nutrition PolicyMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases::Nutrition Disorders::Overnutrition::ObesityMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms::Signs and Symptoms::Body Weight::Body Weight Changes::Weight LossMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Physiological Phenomena::Physiological Processes::Growth and Development::Agingresearch article17903330open access10.1017/S1368980007000705