Scientific Analysis of Measuring Energy Balance - Coursework Example

A scientific report on the measurement of energy balance A scientific report on the measurement of energy balance Introduction Energy balance refers to the relationship between the amount of energy obtained in the food calories consumed in the body and the amount of energy used out. As a result of this, it is possible to ascertain the gained and lost weight in the body. Two main factors affect energy intake in the body; the amount of calorie intake as well as the digested and absorbed energy. On the other hand, exercise from different activities as well as efficiency in storage of food metabolism and storage in adipose tissue affects energy consumed by an individual (Miles, 2007; Westerterp, 2013). According to Elia & Ritz, (2000), thermodynamic laws elucidate why energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but can be transformed from one state to another. Potential energy that is stored in foods in the form of calories is converted to either heat, work or storage (Dulloo et al., 2012). When the body is at rest, metabolism lingers, and there is amount of calories prerequisite to perform this. This is the basal metabolic rate. (BMR) (Westerterp et al., 2002) An analysis of the energy balance is vital in the performance of body cells. When the amount of energy that is used in body activities is less than what is taken in, physiological processes like metabolism, hormonal balance is declined. Also, testosterone echelons and reduction in different types on hormones and physical performance is affected. Thus, the analysis enables us know the amount of energy required to perform different body functions and to solve problems of energy imbalances. The experiment was therefore to know how measurement of basal metabolic rate, the total amount of energy used in the body as well as the energy balance analysis is carried out. Douglas bags system was used to measure the energy balance. The bags are inflatable large and airtight and are mainly used to collect air expelled in the determination of consumption of oxygen and the basal metabolic rate (Schrauwen, Lichtenbelt & Westerterp, 1997). Aim To measure the amount of energy spent in the body of an individual using Douglas bags system so as to determine energy balance. Methodology The participants were prepared by ensuring the conditions they were in was thermal neutral, rested well and made conversant with mouthpiece of the Douglas bag. After the fifth minute of acclimatization to mouthpiece elapsed, measurement began. The method involved connecting breathing tube of the Douglas bag to the mouthpiece side in which air is being expired. The participant was then asked to breathe after connection through the mouthpiece, so as to ensure connection was correctly made. The bags were ensured empty before commencement of the test through vacuum pumping. Then the valves closed. The procedure was performed under two different tasks which were; when one laid down in resting the position for five minutes and also during cycling for three minutes. This was to get different values of energy expenditures. After the air had been collected using Douglas Bags, an apparatus called Servomex was then used. Its purpose was to analyse air volume as well as its composition to give a percentage of oxygen expired during the test and also the percentage of carbon (IV) oxide expired. Since the Servomex is automated, sampling was quickly done and then after the readings of oxygen and carbon (IV) oxide were stable, the readings were recorded. The experiment was then repeated for a sample of air obtained during cycling, and the readings noted. Lastly, the Douglas Bags were then attached to the Dry Gas Meter majorly to measure the volume of air that was contained in the Bags. After connection, the readings were taken as well as the temperature of the expired air. The second method which was used to measure energy balance was through activity diary. It involved tabulating different types of activity made in a period of 24 hours in intervals of five minutes. In the end, energy expenditure was determined using the PAL and BMR figures which were provided in the Schofield table chart. Results According to Weir, (1949), the Weir equation was used to obtain the basal metabolic rate, in the Douglas bags test. BMR (kJ/min) = V x 21 – r x CF x 20 100 t Where, V = volume of air expired measured in litres (l) r = content of oxygen of the air expired (%) 21 = amount of oxygen in the air expired (%) CF= correction factor, given as 0.89 20 = energy equivalence of oxygen (kJ /l) t = time (min) Therefore, 1. In sitting a position for 5 min, CO2 level = 0.81, O2 level = 20.2 litres Volume in bag= 47.5 + 1.0 = 48.5 litres From Weir equation ;( 48.5 x 21 – 20.2 x 0.89 x 20) 100 5 = 1.381 kJ / min 2. During cycling, in 3 min; CO2 level = 3.99 litres, O2 level = 17.0 litres Volume in bag= 70.5 + 1.0 = 71.5 litres BMR= 71.5 x 21 – 17 x 0.89 x 20 100 3 = 16.969 kJ/min Results from the activity diary 0-5 min 5-10min 10-15min 15-20min 20-25min 25-30min 30-35min 35-40min 40-45min 45-50min 50-55min 55-60min 9 am Walking Walking reading reading reading Reading reading Reading Reading reading cooking Chatting 10 am Reading reading reading reading reading Reading reading reading Reading reading reading 11 am Reading reading reading reading reading Reading reading reading Reading reading reading 12 noon Walking walking walking walking walking walking walking eating Eating eating Eating 1 pm chatting chatting resting resting resting walking walking walking walking walking Walking 2 pm Computer Work Computer Work Computer Work Computer work Computer Work Computer Work Computer work Computer work Computer Work Computer work Computer Work 3 pm Computer Work Computer Work Computer Work Computer work Computer Work Computer Work Computer work Computer work Computer Work Computer work Computer Work 4 pm Computer Work Computer Work Computer Work Computer work Computer Work Computer Work Computer work Computer work Computer Work Computer work Computer Work 5 pm Walking walking walking walking walking walking resting Playing with baby Playing with baby Playing with baby Playing With Baby 6 pm Playing with baby Playing with baby Watching watching watching Watching watching watching Watching watching Watching 7 pm Watching Watching Watching watching watching Watching watching watching Watching watching Watching 8 pm Cooking cooking cooking cooking Eating Eating eating eating Resting resting Resting 9pm Reading reading reading reading reading Reading reading reading Reading reading Reading 10 pm sleeping Sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping 11 pm sleeping Sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping 12 am sleeping Sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping 1 am sleeping Sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping 2 am sleeping Sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping 3 am sleeping Sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping 4 am sleeping Sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping 5 am sleeping Sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping sleeping Sleeping 6 am sleeping Sleeping Cleaning cleaning cleaning Cooking Breakfast Cooking breakfast Cooking Breakfast Bathing bathing Eating Eating 7 am Walking walking walking walking Computer work Computer Work Computer work Computer work Computer Work Computer work Computer Work 8 am Computer Work Computer Work Computer Work Computer work Computer work Computer Work Computer work Computer work Computer Work Computer work Computer Work 9 am Walking Walking Reading reading reading reading reading reading Reading reading Reading Calculations from the activity diary Energy from different activity as illustrated by Schofiel, (1985) = (BMR Rcal /min x PAL value x Time) (BMR Rcal/min x PAL value x Time ) Sleeping = (1.1 x 1 x 480min) = 528kJ Walking slowly = (1.1 x 3 x 170min) = 561kJ Cooking = (1.1 x 1.8 x 35min) = 69.3kJ Cleaning = (1.1 x 2.7 x 35min) = 103.95kJ Computer work = (1.1 x 1.4 x 215min) = 331.1kJ Reading = (1.1 x 1.4 x 235min) = 361.9kJ Playing with the baby (1.1 x 2.1 x 65min) = 150.15kJ Watching = (1.1 x 1.2 x 115min) = 151.8kJ Eating = (1.1 x 1.4 x 35min) = 53.9kJ Time spent was 24 hours, thus when changed in minutes; = (24 x 60) = 1440min Grand total = 2311.9Kj. Thus per minute, BMR/ time= (2311.9/1440) = 1.605kJ / /min Discussion Douglas bags were used to measure BMR to know the energy expenditure basally. BMR determines amount of energy a person needs for body functioning for instance, heart beats, thermoregulation, breathing of lungs among others. RMR is simple to carry out and apart from measuring energy expenditure at rest, it also shows the calories required during eating and in simple activities. Yes, I was in energy balance since there was a relationship between the amount of energy in and energy out. The long term implication, therefore, is that body mass is significantly affected, when more energy is taken in, and none of it is spent. In addition, metabolism is affected negatively leading to increasing in body weight (Juen & Hall, 2011). For greater accuracy, the exercise done should be vigorous as this leads to high energy expenditure thus increases percentage of BMR. 20 to about 30 percent of the total body energy output results from physical activities. It greatly varies with the type of activity, for instance, walking requires a lot of burnt calories from the above activity diary as compared to reading and doing computer work. Nevertheless, duration the activity also takes determines the amount of burnt calories in the body. Significant amount of BMR values was obtained from sleeping as compared to other activities like washing and eating as a result of more duration. (McLaughlin, Malkova & Nimmo, 2006). Moreover, different types of foods have different energy levels. For instance, proteins have high energy content as compared to carbohydrates and also to fats. (Mitchel, 1962; FAO/WHO/UNU, 1985). Therefore, foods with high energy levels increase metabolic rate due to high energy expenditure. Nevertheless, impact on thermoregulation affects rate of metabolism. Increase in body temperature increases BMR whereas the hypothermia leads to low BMR (Elia & Ritz, 2000). Conclusion In connection to this, the body weight is maintained when calories consumed equivalents to calories burned. Change in body weight is as a result of an imbalance between content of energy of food taken and to the energy used out for physical and physiological activities. This framework is a powerfully potential contrivance in regulating body weight. (Flatt, 2012). According to Carlsen et al., (2010); Rankin et al., (2011); Rothenberg & Bosaeus, (1998), food labels are important. This is due to the fact that one is able to determine the specific amount of energy to be consumed. Correspondingly, different types of foods provide different types of nutrients thus energy provision is unequal. Components of dietary energy varies and is dependent among individuals on a specific type of food consumed, their methods of preparation as well as the intestinal factors. In reference to Ryan & Gormley, (2013), daily activity enables one know energy expenditure as this is vital in major body functions. Different types of activities results in a definite amount of energy expenditure as the level of metabolism varies. Physical activities and good healthy diet are essential both to children and adults. The energy expenditure rate varies within an activity diary of a 24-hour period across life span. The used energy reflects metabolized fuels used for growth, maintenance of body needs, lactation and pregnancy, physical activities among others. Intake of energy comprises of three main macronutrients; carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Net absorption after ingestion of the macronutrients varies thus different amount of energy expenditure. The macronutrients after absorption are changed in vivo to the substrates that are ultimately either oxidised metabolically to produce useful energy that drives processes that are biological or, they can be stored. The experiment showed that the amount of energy consumed is much as compared to the amount of energy used in the 24-hour activity period. Likewise, the BMR value was essential since the number of calories needed from the various activities undertaken could be determined. Age, body size and gender as exemplified by Starling & Poehlman, (2000); Shetty et al., (1996) shows different levels of metabolism. Younger people have higher BMR since as they grow, composition of their body mass in terms of fats and muscles changes. Percentage decrease in muscle mass is experienced as the child grows and thus decline in BMR. Oxygen consumption is indispensable since oxidation unfetters energy for expenditure thus metabolism is aerobic in humans. Triglycerides, as clarified by Juen & Hall, (2011), which are present in adipose tissues, are the main energy reserve in the body of an organism. Adipocytes of approximately 35 billion which contains 0.4 - 0.6 micro grams each of triglyceride totalling to about 130,000 kcal of stored energy is found in lean individual. Excess adipocytes, therefore, explains obesity with high contents of lipids. Carbohydrates are stored in the body mainly in the form of glycogen in muscles of the skeletal and also in the liver. Its turnover is quite rapid though it has a relatively small mass. The body proteins take forms that are specific and especially associated with water at lower values. Lipids formed the largest stored energy source and stored in the form of triglycerides. 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Westerterp, KR 2013, Physical activity and physical activity induced energy expenditure in humans: measurement, determinants, and effects, Frontiers in Physiology, 4, pp. 1-11, Westerterp-Plantenga, M, Lichtenbelt, W, Strobbe, H, & Schrauwen, P 2002, Energy metabolism in humans at a lowered ambient temperature, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 56, 4, p. 288 Read More