The bridge between healthy nutrition and physical activity is Energy Balance.

Energy Balance

Cartoon juggling balls

Energy balance, a major factor in maintaining healthy weight, is the amount of energy we take in through eating food and drinking beverages compared with the amount of energy we use by being physically active.  What we eat and drink is called ENERGY IN. What we use up through daily living and physical activity is called ENERGY OUT.  We use a certain amount of energy just breathing air, digesting food and performing daily living activities. We use even more energy when we perform physical activities such as walking to the bus stop, running on the park grass or riding a bike.  Eating the proper amount and the right types of food helps children maintain a healthy weight and keeps their energy balance at an ideal level. In other words, ENERGY IN is nicely balanced with an active lifestyle or ENERGY OUT to support natural growth and daily activity without promoting excess weight gain.

Teaching young children to count calories is not a best practice for teaching energy balance. It is not only confusing, but it can contribute to unhealthy weight and eating behaviors as they approach adolescents. Avoid conversations centered on weight. Instead, through messaging, games and fun activities, teach children the importance of both eating a balanced diet with foods they like and being physically active doing things they enjoy.

Childhood Obesity

family at the park

The Healthy Kids Resource Center provides evidence-based research, resources, curricula, activities and materials that focus on obesity prevention for teachers and parents of young children. Our state has set goals to promote and increase awareness of healthy nutrition and physical activity in early childhood. Obesity prevention starts with knowledge but must lead to action of practicing daily healthy habits.

Lindsay, A. 2020, Healthy Kids Resource Center: Energy Balance & Childhood Obesity Section, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno

Learn more about the author(s)

Anne R. Lindsay
Anne R. Lindsay
 

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Associated Programs

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Healthy Kids Resource Center

A one-stop shop for evidence-based research, resources, curricula, activities and materials that focus on obesity prevention for teachers and parents of young children. It is designed to educate parents and teachers as well as provide the tools needed to teach young children how to live a healthy lifestyle.