Despite theoretical evidence that the model commonly referred to as the 3500 kcal rule grossly overestimates actual weight loss, widespread application of the 3500 kcal formula continues to appear in textbooks, on respected government and health related websites, and scientific research publications. Here we demonstrate the risk of applying the 3500 kcal rule even as a convenient estimate by comparing predicted against actual weight loss in seven weight loss experiments conducted in confinement under total supervision or objectively measured energy intake. We offer three newly developed, downloadable applications housed in Microsoft® Excel and Java which simulates a rigorously validated, dynamic model of weight change. The first two tools available at
www.pbrc.edu/sswcp
, provide a convenient alternative method for providing patients with projected weight loss/gain estimates in response to changes in dietary intake. The second tool which can be downloaded from the URL,
www.pbrc.edu/mswcp
, projects estimated weight loss simultaneously for multip...

Can a Weight Loss of One Pound a Week be Achieved With a 3,500 kcal Deficit? Commentary on a Commonly Accepted Rule

10.1038/ijo.2013.51