One pound of body fat contains roughly between 3,436 and 3,752 calories , with the commonly cited average being about 3,500 calories. This value is based on the composition of body fat, which is not pure fat but also contains fluid and protein. Pure fat itself has about 4,100 calories per pound, but because body fat tissue is about 87% fat, the calorie content is less than pure fat.
The 3,500-calorie-per-pound rule has been widely used as a guideline for weight loss or gain calculations, meaning burning 3,500 calories more than consumed theoretically leads to losing one pound of body weight. However, recent research points out this rule might oversimplify the complexities of metabolism and weight change over time.
In summary, the standard reference for calories in one pound of body fat is about 3,500 calories, but this is an estimate that can vary slightly depending on the individual's body fat composition.
