What is NEAT or non-exercise activity thermogenesis?

NEAT encompasses a series of continuous and vital movements that involve postural changes and occur at low-energy workloads on a daily basis for minutes or hours. These activities involve walking, climbing stairs, fidgeting, singing, laughing, cleaning, standing, and so on. These additive activities are associated with energy expenditure beyond the basal metabolic activity and account for significant thermogenesis and energy consumption at the end of the day.

NEAT in the long term can explain the difference between a lean and an overweight person.

In a study, 20 healthy volunteers (10 lean and 10 obese) exposed to similar environments were examined by comparing body posture and motion to assess NEAT. The results showed that the obese individuals were seated for longer periods compared with their leaner counterparts and suggested that if obese individuals were to adopt the same NEAT activities as the leaner counterparts, an extra 350 calories per day of energy expenditure would be achieved. That means 2500 calories in a week. That means almost a pound of weight.

Performing household activities instead of using labour-saving equipment could expend considerable energy. For example, performing yard work (100-150 kcal/h) or home cleaning and maintenance (200-300 kcal/h) can burn up to 50 times more energy than sitting in front of the television (9 kcal/h). Of course, it cannot be occasional but on a regular basis.

NEAT should not be considered a substitute for purposeful aerobic exercise. NEAT may be considered as a substitute for the amount of time currently spent in sedentary activities to increase the low-grade energy expenditure that sitting offers. Compliance with purposeful exercise is low. On the contrary, NEAT has a higher rate of adherence over time.

NEAT should be encouraged in a manner similar to physical exercise. By avoiding sitting, promoting motion, and engaging in simple, repetitive, and creative activities, a significant amount of extra calories may be burnt to reduce weight and perhaps prevent the cardiovascular and metabolic complications associated with obesity.

SOURCE: Mayo Clinic