What type of energy balance occurs when energy intake exceeds energy output?

When energy intake exceeds energy output, this situation is referred to as positive energy balance. This occurs when the body consumes more calories than it expends through metabolism and physical activity. A positive energy balance is typically associated with weight gain, as the excess energy that is not used by the body is stored as fat. This concept is crucial in understanding weight management, as prolonged positive energy balance leads to increased body weight and changes in body composition.

The other terms relate to different scenarios: negative energy balance occurs when energy output surpasses energy intake, leading to weight loss. Stable energy balance describes a state where energy intake and expenditure are equal, maintaining the current weight. Dynamic energy balance is a less commonly used term that could refer to fluctuations in energy balance over time, but it does not specifically denote excess intake over output. Hence, positive energy balance is the accurate term for this scenario.