What is the recommended protein intake for the general population in grams per kilogram body weight?

• A. 0.8-1.0 g/kg
• B. 2.0-2.2 g/kg
• C. 1.2-1.4 g/kg
• D. 1.6-1.8 g/kg

Answer: (D)

Protein requirements scale with activity and goals. While the minimum to prevent deficiency is about 0.8 g per kilogram of body weight per day, people who exercise regularly—especially with resistance training or endurance work—benefit from higher intake to support recovery, muscle repair, and maintenance of lean mass. The range of 1.6 to 1.8 g per kilogram per day fits this purpose, providing enough amino acids for tissue repair without excess. For example, someone weighing 70 kg would aim for about 112 to 126 g of protein daily.