Difference Between Active Calories and Total Calories


Calories are a unit of measurement used to quantify the energy content of food and the amount of energy expended by the body during physical activity. There are two types of calories: active calories and total calories. Active calories and total calories are different and serve different purposes. Understanding the difference between the two can help individuals better manage their weight, fitness goals, and overall health.

What are Active Calories?

Active calories are calories burned during physical activity. This includes activities such as walking, running, cycling, swimming, and any other form of exercise that raises the heart rate and burns calories.

Active calories are the calories that an individual intentionally burns during a workout or other physical activity. This measurement is typically recorded by fitness trackers and exercise machines that monitor heart rate and other physical data.

What are Total Calories?

Total calories, on the other hand, are the total number of calories an individual burns throughout the day, including both active calories and resting calories. Resting calories are the calories burned during normal bodily functions such as breathing, digesting food, and maintaining body temperature. These calories are burned even when an individual is not engaged in physical activity.

Total calories provide a more comprehensive picture of the number of calories an individual burns throughout the day, including the calories burned during physical activity and the calories burned during periods of rest.

Differences: Active Calories and Total Calories

The difference between active calories and total calories is important because it helps individuals understand the total amount of energy they are expending throughout the day. This information can be used to create a more accurate picture of an individual's caloric intake and expenditure, which can help with weight management and overall health.

For example, if an individual is trying to lose weight, they may focus on burning more active calories by increasing their physical activity. However, if they are not paying attention to their total calorie intake and expenditure, they may not see the results they are looking for. By tracking both active and total calories, individuals can better understand the relationship between their calorie intake and expenditure and adjust their lifestyle habits accordingly.

Additionally, understanding the difference between active and total calories can help individuals set and achieve fitness goals. For example, if an individual wants to increase their daily activity level, they may set a goal to burn a certain number of active calories per day. However, if they are not tracking their total calorie expenditure, they may not be aware of the additional calories they are burning during periods of rest. By tracking both active and total calories, individuals can set more realistic and achievable fitness goals.

Characteristics

Active Calories

Total Calories

Definition

Active calories are calories burnt when one is active, for instance during the engagement of activities such as walking, running, swimming and hiking.

Total calories are the sum of the calories burned when one is active and calories burnt during normal body function.

Common use

Active calories are important in weight loss.

Total calories are important in weight loss and normal body function.

Conclusion

In conclusion, active calories and total calories are two different types of measurements used to track energy expenditure. Active calories are the calories burned during physical activity, while total calories include both active and resting calories. Understanding the difference between these two measurements can help individuals better manage their weight, fitness goals, and overall health.

By tracking both active and total calories, individuals can create a more accurate picture of their caloric intake and expenditure, which can lead to more successful weight management and improved overall health.

Updated on: 30-Mar-2023

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