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ABSTRACT
Obesity in our nation has reached epidemic levels. Contributing to the problem is people's inaccuracies when accounting for caloric expenditure. For the purpose of this article, the researchers used the planning fallacy to explain why people may misestimate caloric expenditure. Nine men and women ages 17-34 participated in this study. Actual caloric expenditure was assessed through the use of the bodybugg(TM) armband apparatus. It was hypothesized that individuals would underestimate calories burned in an entire day, while overestimating caloric expenditure during exercise. Results indicated that individuals underestimated caloric expenditure both throughout the entire day and during exercise. With the proper tools and education, including an accurate perception of caloric expenditure and the ability to engage in a weight loss and/or healthy living program, healthy and maintainable results are possible.
Keywords: exercise, caloric expenditure, weight loss, planning fallacy, bodybugg(TM) apparatus
INTRODUCTION
With obesity levels in our nation reaching epidemic levels, the weight loss industry is booming. Unfortunately, even with a plethora of weight loss options available, the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to report obesity as a growing concern (Flegal, Carroll, Ogden, and Curtin, 2010). Obesity and being overweight are met with a variety of potentially fatal consequences including diabetes, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure (National Institute of Health, 1998), making the reversal of this problem increasingly important. Even without the achievement of significant weight loss, creating additional caloric expenditure through exercise and increased involvement in daily physical behavior along with healthy nutrition consumption may be met with health improvement benefits (Bacon and Aphramor, 2011; Borer, 2008; Rosenkranz, Townsend, Steffens, and Harms, 2010). Failing to account for actual daily energy expenditure when making recommendations for nutritional caloric restriction may be leading to the inability to achieve and maintain healthy weight loss and healthy living goals.
Additionally, estimating caloric expenditure is important when working with athletes and sports teams. Athletic performance is not only about encompassing technical skill. An athlete must also be physically and mentally prepared for practice and competition. In order to perform to the best of one's ability, both physically and mentally, one must give their body the proper nutrition that one needs. Misestimating caloric expenditure, and consequently caloric intake, can inhibit one's...