A calorie deficit occurs when the number of calories consumed is less than the number of calories needed for the maintenance of current body weight
. It is commonly used for weight loss and weight maintenance. A calorie deficit can be created by reducing calorie intake, increasing physical activity, or a combination of both
. To lose about 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of weight, a deficit of about 7000 kcal is required
. It is generally recommended to aim for a calorie deficit between 500 and 1000 calories per day for a moderate weight loss of about 0.5 to 1 kg per week
. This can be achieved by a combination of reducing calorie intake and increasing physical activity
