if calories in > calories out = weight gain, then what does metabolism have to do with anything?

Question

How does someone’s metabolism impact the calories consumed vs calories burned equation?

In: Biology

Answer 1

A person’s metabolism ultimately determines how many calories go in and how many go out. Just because you ate food with an x amount of calories it doesn’t mean your body will actually absorb all of them, and once they’re absorbed your metabolism determines what your body will do with them. Some people’s metabolism are more efficient than others, or faster, or slower. Some people may consume an x amount of calories and then burn pretty much all of it, while others will form adipose tissue despite needing that extra energy and they’ll go hungry again since their body will always prioritise making fat more than others, and this doesn’t directly correlate with their energy needs or habits.