NEAT

NEAT stands for Non-exercise Activity Thermogenesis, which is the amount of energy that we expend for all activities that are not related to formal exercise, physical workouts or leisure activities. These include everyday activities such as walking to the car, cleaning the house, cooking, gardening, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and fidgeting while you work. NEAT can vary widely between individuals, and even within the same person depending on their lifestyle, occupation, and daily habits.

Examples of NEAT

Examples of NEAT includes activities such as:

• Walking to work
• Standing while working
• Cycling to the grocery store
• Gardening or doing yard work
• Cleaning the house
• Taking the stairs instead of the elevator

Related Terms

NEAT is related to several other terms such as:

• Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) - total energy expenditure at rest
• Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) - minimum energy expenditure at rest
• Total Energy Expenditure (TEE) - total amount of energy expended daily

Importance in Weight Loss

NEAT plays an important role in weight loss as it accounts for a significant amount of total energy expenditure. Individuals who have a higher NEAT tend to have lower body fat percentages and BMI. Increasing NEAT is one way to increase total daily energy expenditure and promote weight loss. This can be achieved through small lifestyle changes such as taking the stairs, walking to work, or standing while working.