Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain how energy is measured and what impacts energy expenditure and energy balance.

      Key learning points

      1. Energy is measured in calories (Kcal) and is sourced from the food consumed.
      2. The average daily calorie requirement is 2,500 Kcal for men and 2,000 Kcal for women.
      3. Calorie needs vary based on factors such as age, gender, height, and activity duration or intensity.
      4. Energy expenditure increases with physical activity, requiring more calories.
      5. Balancing calorie intake with energy expenditure is crucial for maintaining weight and overall health

      Keywords

      • Calorie - a unit which measures heat or energy production in the body, normally expressed as Kcal

      • Calorie consumption - the total number of calories consumed through food and drink per day

      • Energy expenditure - the total number of calories burned through physical activity, exercise, and bodily functions

      • Weight - the measure of how heavy an individual is, typically influenced by factors such as body composition and overall health

      • Health - a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

      Common misconception

      "If I did more exercise, I'd lose weight"

      While exercise will increase energy expenditure and could help to achieve a calorie deficit needed to lose weight, "you can't out train a bad diet." No matter how much exercise is performed, calorie intake is just as important to consider.

      Teacher tip

      Pupils can learn more about their energy balance by tracking their food for a day, calculating their BMR and calculating their energy expenditure. Several websites/apps exist which can help to do this.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is the measurement given for the energy used in movement and gained when we eat?

      Correct Answer: calories, calorie, Kcal

      Q2.
      Which of these will result in a person putting on weight?

      Correct answer: regularly eating more calories than their body needs
      regularly eating the same amount of calories as their body needs
      regularly eating fewer calories than their body needs

      Q3.
      Which of these drinks contains no calories at all?

      cola
      orange juice
      coffee with milk
      Correct answer: water
      red bull

      Q4.
      Match the statements about the balance of calories.

      Correct Answer:eating more calories than you expend,will result in you putting on weight

      will result in you putting on weight

      Correct Answer:eating the same calories as expended,will result in you maintaining your body weight

      will result in you maintaining your body weight

      Correct Answer:eating less calories than you expend,will result in you losing weight

      will result in you losing weight

      Q5.
      Which factors can affect the number of calories you will expend during exercise?

      Correct answer: how long you spend exercising
      Correct answer: how intensely you exercise
      whether you listen to music
      Correct answer: your gender

      Q6.
      Will a heavier person burn more, the same, or less calories if they perform the same exercise as someone lighter?

      Correct Answer: more, more calories

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Put these activities in order of least energy expended to most energy expended.

      1 - having a 30 minute nap
      2 - playing video games for an hour
      3 - walking for 30 minutes
      4 - playing basketball for an hour
      5 - competing a marathon

      Q2.
      Match the energy balance to the correct cause.

      Correct Answer:calorie deficit,expending more calories than you consume in a day

      expending more calories than you consume in a day

      Correct Answer:calorie balance,expending and consuming the same amount of calories in a day

      expending and consuming the same amount of calories in a day

      Correct Answer:calorie surplus,consuming more calories than you expend in a day

      consuming more calories than you expend in a day

      Q3.
      Which of these factors will affect how many calories are expended during a physical activity?

      Correct answer: age
      Correct answer: weight
      Correct answer: duration
      wearing a watch
      Correct answer: intensity

      Q4.
      If someone wishes to lose weight, they should gradually try to end each day with a slight calorie

      Correct Answer: deficit

      Q5.
      Increasing time spent doing exercise will help a person to lose weight...

      in every case.
      if they ensure they balance their calorie intake to match the expenditure.
      and allow them to eat more calories.
      Correct answer: if they manage their calorie intake to ensure a slight calorie deficit each day.

      Q6.
      Which of these will be effects of drastically cutting calorie intake and being in a large calorie deficit each day?

      Correct answer: weakened immune system
      more energy to exercise
      Correct answer: tiredness and lethargy
      Correct answer: reduced cogntive function
      increased muscle mass

      To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Energy use, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...