NEAT
Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is the energy expended for everything we do that is not sleeping, eating or sports-like exercise. It ranges from the energy expended walking to work, typing, performing yard work, undertaking agricultural tasks and fidgeting. Even trivial physical activities increase metabolic rate substantially and it is the cumulative impact of a multitude of exothermic actions that culminate in an individual's daily NEAT. It is, therefore, not surprising that NEAT explains a vast majority of an individual's non-resting energy needs.
NEAT could be a critical component in how we maintain our body weight and/or develop obesity or lose weight even though the mechanism that regulates NEAT is unknown. NEAT can range between 150 – 500 kcal/day (often greater than bouts of physical exercise) and can help account for the perception that some individuals more easily maintain a healthy body weight (“naturally skinny”) despite similar caloric intake and dedicated physical exercise. Epidemiological studies highlight the importance of culture in promoting and quashing NEAT.
However, we can increase our NEAT by making choices to move more. That is to say, take the stairs, wash the dishes, walk to the local post office, clean your car.
