How does regular physical activity contribute to nutrition?

Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, and this is why the first option is the correct answer. Engaging in consistent exercise helps to burn calories, which can create a balance between the number of calories consumed through food and the number of calories expended through physical activity. This balance is crucial in preventing weight gain and supporting weight loss when necessary.

Moreover, regular physical activity can enhance metabolic health, meaning it can improve how your body uses calories and nutrients. Exercise not only aids in weight management but also often encourages individuals to make healthier dietary choices, contributing positively to overall nutrition.

The other options do not accurately reflect the relationship between physical activity and nutrition. Decreasing metabolism might imply that physical activity could lead to less calorie burning, which contradicts the fundamentals of weight management. Eliminating the need for balance in diets suggests that physical activity could allow one to disregard healthy eating habits, which is misleading as nutrition still plays a vital role in overall health, regardless of activity levels. Finally, promoting excessive calorie intake runs counter to the goal of using physical activity to help control weight and maintain a balanced nutritional lifestyle. Thus, participation in regular physical activity is fundamentally linked to maintaining a healthy weight, making it the most appropriate choice.