Which of the following is an indicator of caloric balance?

The correct choice identifies energy output as an indicator of caloric balance because caloric balance refers to the relationship between the calories consumed through food and beverages and the calories expended through physical activity and metabolic processes.

Energy output directly reflects how many calories are being burned. When you have a caloric balance, it means that energy intake (calories consumed) matches energy output. If energy output exceeds intake, a caloric deficit occurs, leading to weight loss, whereas a caloric surplus occurs if intake exceeds output, potentially leading to weight gain.

While body weight can provide some insight into caloric balance, as fluctuations in weight can indicate changes in energy balance, it is not a direct measure. Blood pressure and nutrient absorption are not direct indicators of caloric balance; they relate more to overall health and how the body processes nutrients rather than the balance of energy in and out. Thus, energy output serves as a clear and direct measure of caloric balance in the context of physical activity and dietary intake.