Introduction
The topic of body weight has long been a tiresome topic for mankind. Who does not know it, one gets on the scales after the holidays and the number, which appears in the display, makes everything else but good mood. Countless people are anxious to keep their weight as low as possible to feel good. What if you could take a more relaxed approach to the subject of weight, since in the long run nothing can be changed anyway? The controversial setpoint theory says exactly that and the following article describes what you can imagine under this theory.
What is the Set Point Theory?
The set point theory states that every person has a genetically predetermined, individual target weight. You can lose weight, be it through different diets, dietary changes and more sports, but the weight will increase again until the predetermined set point is reached again. Weight gain is also possible, but according to the original Setpoint theory, just like weight loss, it should be temporary.
In a modified form of the theory, however, the hypothesis is put forward that the setpoint shifts upwards if the patient is permanently overweight and then there is permanent overweight, since the setpoint is now in the overweight range. One can compare the statement of the theory with the functioning of a thermostat. A thermostat registers when the temperature no longer corresponds to the setpoint temperature.
Then the energy supply is increased to bring the temperature back to the setpoint temperature. Similarly, it is described in the Setpoint theory for body weight. A setpoint is nothing other than the predetermined target weight.
If a person’s weight decreases, the body’s basal metabolic rate is reduced, less energy is consumed and the weight is raised back towards the set weight. With a weight increase however, the basal metabolic rate is increased, more energy is consumed and the weight is reduced and brought back to the target weight. A basic consideration that might have led to this theory is the natural temperature regulation of the body.
During the cold season, our body uses more energy to keep the body temperature constant. This is made possible by increasing the basal metabolic rate. An important organ for temperature regulation is the thyroid gland.
Cold temperatures trigger an increased secretion of thyroid hormone at the thyroid gland. This causes an increased basal metabolic rate in the body and contributes to the fact that the body temperature does not drop in winter. The control circuit for body weight is believed to be in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain. It is important to mention that no evidence has yet been found in humans that supports the theory beyond any doubt. Further information can be found under: Evaluation of body weight
