Biopsychology of Eating and Drinking;

Biopsychology of Eating and Drinking; Hormones and Sex

Set-point theory: A problematic concept

The set-point theory of weight loss and weight gain suggests that dieting is unsuccessful and futile. When dieting, the body naturally adjusts its metabolic rate, slowing so that weight loss slows to a crawl. As a survival mechanism, the body tries to preserve its fat cells in case of a famine (Set point theory, 2009, MIT). The dieter loses motivation as a result.

The problem with set point theory is that the world's obesity rate continues to climb, despite the fact that it is impossible that the genetic composition of the world could have changed so rapidly. Everybody knows some chronic dieters who insist they were naturally born to be obese. But evidence suggests that while there may be a wide variety of body sizes within humanity, the current obesegenic environment of fast food, low required activity, and highly processed palatable sugary and salty foods all contribute to the explosion of obesity in the developing, and to some extent, the developing world. Clearly, the extremes of the human condition on the overweight side are being pushed to the limit, and individuals who might under other circumstances be normal or high-to-normal weights, are in an environment where it is hard to lose weight, and easy to gain weight.

A diet and exercise plan must be highly individualized. A dieter must come to know when he or she is most 'weak' in terms of binging, whether that is after a stressful day at night, or when in close proximity to food at the employee break room. Weight loss is a permanent lifestyle change, not a transient event like the word 'diet' sometimes suggests. Whether the triggers are emotional or physical, the dieter must develop coping mechanisms to wean him or herself away from fattening comfort foods. Having other, healthy foods on hand or developing new habits like going for a walk to deal with unpleasant situations can reconfigure a dieter's obesegenic environment and routine. Switching to smaller plates at home, stocking the refrigerator with healthy food, making exercise part of daily life rather than a rare occurrence, are all effective ways to slowly tone down the cues to overeat in the individual's environment. The problem with set point theory in today's world is that the 'set point' of far too many individuals has been exceeded -- the rise in diabetes and heart disease is not due to people trying to get below their set point, rather their bodies are crying out for relief at being set 'too high.'