How many calories are in one pound of body weight?

One pound of body weight is generally accepted to be equivalent to approximately 3,500 calories. This value is commonly used in weight management and diet planning to help people understand the relationship between caloric intake, expenditure, and weight loss or gain. The idea is based on the energy balance theory, which states that in order to lose weight, one must create a calorie deficit (burn more calories than are consumed).

For example, if someone aims to lose one pound per week, they would need to create a caloric deficit of about 500 calories per day, since 500 calories per day multiplied by seven days results in a total deficit of 3,500 calories over the week. This knowledge is essential for effective weight management strategies in physical education and nutrition.