When I read the pages, the most impressive part was the set point. The book defines the set point as a "value that establishes a range of body and muscle mass we tend to maintain". Research findings suggest that there is a certain point of weight that our body tries to keep. If our weight is lower than the set point, levels of appetite and desire for high-calorie foods increase to go back to the set point. On the other hand, if our weight is higher than the set point, we lose appetite of foods and have higher metabolism rate to decrease the excessive energy. However, recent researches argue that there is no fixed amount of weight that we are destined to have. They say that there are range of weights where we can "settle into" by controlling our lifestyle and diet. When I read this part, it was interesting that our body has certain weight that we are sort of fated into. In my opinion, this theme has both strength and weakness. Firstly, its strength is that it explains why people have different figures even they have similar routine of life; and this is because of biological differences among individuals. Weakness is that - it is a personal opinion - I do not think that it sufficiently explains why people become obese. Do we earn weight when we ignore the body's signal going back to the set point? Is the power of set point strong?
Weight loss plans in the textbook are non-realistic. I can't believe that so many people fall into these misconceptions all the time. Usually when people try those types of weight loss plans, they tend to get more weights which is called as "yoyo" effect; does this show that our set points are changed?
Are we destined into certain weights?
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Nice analysis of set points...You talk about them in regards to obesity. What about the opposite extreme, people with anorexia or bulimia nervosa? How are set points affected by these disorders?
Yeah, I believe as well that we are not "destined" to have a certain set weight; I, for example, am a little overweight and I STILL crave high-caloric foods, and you see this in many other people as well. In people who are at the opposite extreme (anorexia, etc.) there might be a psychological set point that says "I should be at 90 pounds because that is normal," even though it is far from normal. These are just guesses in my opinion of course.
I know genetics play a small role in some people's weights and obesity, but I think its FAR too sensationalized and people look to it as something to blame for their problems. Obesity is a mental problem that people need and can overcome. I used to be quite chubby but now I am the most fit I've ever been in my life and am addicted to being fit and healthy. It's a great feeling. Along with this, I think, came that mentality that everyone can do it they just need to have the willpower.
This is interesting to me. The fact that the human body can maintain what it wants, meaning that there is a set point of weight that it desires. If the set point is lower than the path the body has taken, it will reduce the appetite. This amazes me, if it is a true fact that it can do this. On a different thought, I think that people become obese because this set point, or the body's track of itself, is thrown off. The appetite of obese people never seems to put a stop to feeling full. Either way, this topic is very interesting.