Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) Practice Exam

How many days of decreased intake of 250 to 300 calories per day may result in a loss of approximately one pound of body fat?

1. 7 days

2. 10 days

3. 12 days

4. 14 days

The correct answer is: 12 days

Decreasing daily intake by 250 to 300 calories can create a caloric deficit, which is necessary to lose weight. To lose approximately one pound of body fat, a deficit of around 3,500 calories is needed because one pound of body fat is roughly equivalent to 3,500 calories. Therefore, dividing 3,500 calories by a daily reduction of 250 to 300 calories would result in around 12 days to lose one pound of body fat. This calculation is based on the premise that weight loss is primarily determined by creating a caloric deficit through reduced caloric intake.