Final answer:
Fatty foods have more calories per gram than carbohydrates or proteins, leading to a higher caloric intake that can result in excess body fat storage and potential obesity if those calories are not burned for energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "you can get fatter on fat calories than on the same number of carbohydrate calories" refers to the fact that fatty foods are calorie-dense, meaning they have more calories per unit mass than carbohydrates or proteins. One gram of fat has nine calories, which is more than twice the number of calories found in one gram of carbohydrates or protein, both of which contain only four calories each. Therefore, consuming the same weight in grams of fatty foods versus carbohydrate foods will lead to a higher caloric intake. Over time, if those extra calories are not used for energy, they will be stored as body fat, potentially leading to weight gain and even obesity.
If individuals consistently consume more food energy than they use, they will store more and more fat and may become obese. Obesity is characterized by having a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 kg/m² or greater and increases the risk of various health problems including type 2 diabetes and hypertension. It is crucial to balance dietary intake with energy expenditure to maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity.