To lose 1 pound of fat per week, how many calories must be restricted or burned per week?

To lose 1 pound of fat per week, a calorie deficit of 3,500 calories is necessary. This figure is based on the understanding that one pound of body fat is generally equivalent to about 3,500 calories. Therefore, to achieve a weight loss of 1 pound, an individual must either reduce their caloric intake or increase their physical activity to create a total deficit of 3,500 calories over the course of one week. This caloric deficit can be accomplished in various ways, such as consuming fewer calories through diet and burning more through exercise.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the established figure needed for sustainable fat loss. 2,500, 3,000, and 4,000 calories would either underestimate or overestimate the necessary weekly calorie deficit for losing one pound of fat, thereby misleading individuals in their weight loss efforts. Using the correct figure of 3,500 calories allows for effective planning and tracking in achieving weight loss goals.