How many calories must be reduced in a week to lose one pound of weight?

To lose one pound of body weight, a calorie deficit of approximately 3,500 calories is generally accepted as the standard. This translates to creating a calorie deficit of about 500 calories per day over the course of a week, which equals 3,500 calories total (500 calories/day x 7 days/week = 3,500 calories). This method of weight loss relies on the principle that when you consume fewer calories than your body uses, you will tap into stored fat for energy, resulting in weight loss.

Therefore, a daily caloric reduction of about 500 calories, maintained consistently, is an effective strategy for achieving a weight loss of one pound each week.