Does metabolism vary between two people?
For 96% of the population: Not Really
A study[1] found a variance of 5-8% for resting metabolic rate (RMR).
This means that 68% of the population is within 5-8% of the average RMR, and 96% is within 10-16% of the average RMR.
If we take the average RMR to be 2000 calories a day, that means the slowest metabolism gets you at roughly 1700-1800 a day. The fastest metabolism gets you to 2200-2300 a day.
To give a sense of 200 calories, one poptart is 200 calories. Two tablespoons of peanut butter is 200 calories.
If your metabolism is so slow that roughly 98% of the population has a faster metabolism than you, it means you need to eat about 300 calories a day less. Equivalent to three tablespoons of peanut butter.
Another study[2] found that your metabolism highly correlated with your lean body mass.
While there are exceptions, for most people, there is no such thing as a "fast" or "slow" metabolism.
References & Citations
- Donahoo WT, Levine JA, Melanson EL. Variability in energy expenditure and its components. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. (2004)
- Astrup A, et al. Prediction of 24-h energy expenditure and its components from physical characteristics and body composition in normal-weight humans. Am J Clin Nutr. (1990)
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