For sedentary individuals, how much of daily energy expenditure does physical activity (PA) represent?

Sedentary individuals typically have a low level of physical activity, which means that their energy expenditure from physical activity is relatively minor compared to their Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). The BMR represents the calories burned at rest to maintain essential body functions, and for those who are not engaging in regular exercise, physical activity energy expenditure is often a small fraction of the total caloric burn throughout the day.

Research suggests that physical activity represents less than half of the daily energy expenditure in sedentary individuals. This is important for understanding how to create effective weight loss strategies, as it highlights the significance of incorporating more movement into daily routines for those who are not active.

The other options suggest either that physical activity plays a more significant role in energy expenditure than it usually does for sedentary individuals or incorrectly associates it with caloric intake levels, which do not directly describe the expected relationship between activity levels and energy expenditure.