How does weight loss impact energy expenditure?

Weight loss can lead to greater muscle efficiency due to various physiological adaptations. When individuals lose weight, particularly fat mass, they may experience improvements in their overall muscle function and efficiency during physical activity. This enhanced efficiency can mean that the body requires less energy to perform the same amount of work, which can play a significant role in how energy expenditure is adjusted with changes in body weight.

In contrast, resting energy expenditure typically decreases with weight loss due to a reduction in lean body mass, particularly if weight loss is significant. This hints at a more complex relationship between weight loss and energy expenditure than simply seeing an increase. Furthermore, while thermogenesis can play a role in weight management, it is not the sole effect of weight loss. Thus, muscle efficiency as a consequence of weight loss is a more relevant outcome, leading to a nuanced and tailored approach to energy management strategies in the context of weight loss.