Final answer:
To measure diet and daily energy expenditure for baseline measurements, participants use a Food Diary to track food intake over two days and energy expenditure is measured with either the Atwater calorimeter or Benedict-Roth spirometer method. The average energy used is calculated and recorded on an Activity Report.
Step-by-step explanation:
To obtain baseline measurements of diet and daily energy expenditure at the beginning of a study, participants are typically required to record their food intake and physical activities. Diet is recorded using a Food Diary, where participants enter the name of the food, the amount eaten, and nutritional information over two consecutive days. Energy expenditure, or metabolic rate, can be measured directly using devices like the Atwater calorimeter, or indirectly, through methods such as the Benedict-Roth spirometer method when individuals are at rest or doing very light exercise. Baseline metabolic rate is frequently measured in terms of Calories per day, which helps account for all energy used in sustaining life and doing activities.
Procedure for Recording Baseline Measurements
- Chart activities and calories used over two 24-hour periods, noting differences between a weekday and weekend.
- Use a Food Diary to track diet for two consecutive days, including all food details and nutrient information.
- Calculate the average amount of energy used per day by dividing the total energy used in 2 days by 2.
- Collect and compare average energy use for different groups, such as 10 males and 10 females, to understand differences in metabolic rates.
Studies like those by Carla Prado's team at the University of Alberta use whole-body calorimetry to understand energy expenditures and help develop better recommendations for nutrition, exercise, and general wellbeing during periods of significant physiological change.