Preksha Dhyana Human Body Part 2

Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 42

Slightest exertion-sitting up, standing, walking,1 exercising-uses up additional Calories. Thus the amount of physical exertion a person normally does is an importnat determinant of caloric requirement. For example, a sedentary worker (student, office-clerk, typist etc.) would need 2200 to 2500 Calories a day. One engaged in more strenuous activity (metal-worker, painter) has a daily expenditure of about 3000 Calories. A hard worker may use as many as 8000 Calories in a day. If the food-intake does not supply this requirement, weight will be lost as body's reserves are utilised; if more Calories are taken in than are used, the residue will be stored as fat, and weight will be gained. Mental exertion, no matter how intense and tiring, does not use up many Calories. Emotional stress does cause some increase in energy expenditure through a speeded up heart rate, increased breathing-rate etc.
Physical activity is a primary factor but not the only one determining caloric requirements. Body-size is an important factor. Age is also another one growing children need far more calories in proportion to their size than adult and the caloric requirement gradually decreases throughout adulthood. Thus a person of middle age will put on weight if he continues to eat the same diet as in earlier years.
Obesity and Dieting
Obesity (fatness) or overweight is a major health problem of the modern times. It is caused by consistently takeing in more calories than one uses. The excess is converted to fat and stored in the body. Obesity can develop gradually and insidiously. We not only eat too much, not only eat the wrong foods but often eat too much of the wrong foods. Abundance of food combined with a sedentary way of living contributes to the problem. In a new cases, the problem
1. Sleeping 60 Cal/hour Basal Standing 100 Cal/hour
70 Cal/hour
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Walking 200 Cal./hour Swimming 500 Cal/hour Running 600 Cal/hour
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