If fat is stores of energy, then why aren’t fat people more energetic than skinny people?

Question

If fat is stores of energy, then why aren’t fat people more energetic than skinny people?

In: 302

Answer 1

Being energetic has to do with how much energy you can expend over a ~short period of time. Fat is stored energy but having that energy in storage doesn’t mean you can expend it any faster.

A metaphor that might work: imagine a huge, giant jug filled with water compared to a smaller jug. Over a short period of time, it’s hard to get that much water out of the giant jug, because it’s hard to carefully tip over and pour. But overall, there’s more water in the bigger jug, and you can go for longer without needing to refill it.