In the context of energy balance and common nutrition teaching approximations, about how many kilocalories (kcal) are stored in 1 pound (lb) of body fat?

• A. About 3,500 kcal
• B. About 1,000 kcal
• C. About 500 kcal
• D. About 7,700 kcal

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that body fat stores energy in the form of triglycerides, and the energy content of fat is commonly approximated in nutrition as a certain number of kilocalories per pound.
2. Recall that 1 gram of fat provides approximately 9 kilocalories (kcal) of energy.
3. Convert 1 pound (lb) to grams, knowing that 1 lb equals 454 grams.
4. Calculate the total energy stored in 1 lb of fat by multiplying the grams of fat by the energy per gram: \$454 \text{ g} \times 9 \text{ kcal/g}$.
5. Recognize that this calculation leads to the commonly accepted estimate that 1 lb of body fat stores about 3,500 kcal of energy.