The following is information from the book referenced in the OP: Good Calories, Bad Calories
The first law of thermodynamics is the law of energy conservation. In nutrition, this means that any change in body weight is dependent on calories
we consume and the calories we expend. This is the energy balance equation.
Change in energy stores = Energy intake - Energy Expenditure
Quote from the Book:
The first law of thermodynamics dictates that weight gain--the increase in energy stored as fat and lean-tissue mass--will be accompanied
by or associated with positive energy balance, but it does not say that it is caused by a positive energy balance.
...All those who have insisted (and still do) that overeating and/or sedentary behavior MUST be the cause of obesity have done so on the basis of this
same fundamental error: they will observe correctly that positive caloric balance mush be associated with weight gain, but then they will
assume without justification that positive caloric balance is the cause of weight gain. This simple misconception has led to a century of
misguided obesity research.
Taubes goes on to point out that, if interpreted correctly, the law of conservation of energy provides two possibilities, in this case: Either
overeating/physical inactivity is causing obesity; or the causality is reversed and obesity(fat gain) causes overeating/physical inactivity.
-Dev
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