The accepted wisdom for converting a daily calorie deficit to resulting weight loss is roughly 3500 kcal to half a kg, with the amount of weight loss getting smaller with body weight.
However, I'm curious if any more accurate models have ever been created, specifically based on empirical evidence. The 3500 kcal figure seems to be based on a rough estimate of the calorie content of body fat, and not on actual observed weight loss.
It shouldn't be that difficult to do a simple study where a diverse sample of people follow a calorie deficit diet and do some exercise, and to fit a model from the basic variables (age, wieght, height, starting weight, calorie deficit) to the weight loss on a given day.
It would seem to me that such studies have most certainly been done, but unfortunately the internet is not giving me anything more that the figure above. Can anyone provide more in-depth research?
I should perhaps stress that I'm not doing this to set out a diet plan or to calculate my own weight loss. I know there's no predicting personal weight loss to this level of accuracy. I'm just curious.