Does protein make you fat?

Protein is not specifically known to contribute to body fat, and diets high in protein have been shown to actually have the opposite effect. Any source of calories can contribute to body fat if eaten in excess of the basal metabolic rate plus daily caloric energy expenditure.

A January 2012 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that diets low in protein had a correlation with higher percentages of body fat as opposed to lean body mass, such as muscle tissue. An incorrect association between protein and body fat may stem from fatty meats being viewed as a primary source of protein.