Fat-set point theory is a perhaps unattractive but necessary topic to understand. Culturally, there seems to be an obsession with being thin and dieting. Everything is done to reflect dissatisfaction with the body we have.
In fact, the most critical point here is the awareness of what body weight means. If you would like to learn how your body is programmed to survive and not necessarily to lose weight, read this post! We will discuss this further.
The Fat-Set Point Theory
You may be wondering what the fat-set point theory is and how to determine it. The first thing to understand is that our body operates as a thermostat. Therefore, we are biologically and genetically programmed to stay within a naturally predisposed weight range.
Factors Affecting the Fat-Set Point
When in the natural range, where your body maintains weight, is how your body operates optimally. However, several factors will influence that set point, which include:
- Hormones
- Genetics
- Body composition
- Hunger
- Body structure
- Metabolism
- Environmental factors
This theory advocates that it is impossible to control weight adjustment as much as the color of your skin, hair, and eyes. Weight can range from 10 to 20 pounds and is usually where the body likes to be when it is not in adverse conditions such as:
- Dieting
- Illness
- Pregnancy
Thus, it is crucial to understand that when dieting, the body interprets that it is in a starvation condition, eventually adapting to function at a lower metabolic rate, making long-term weight loss difficult to achieve.
How the body interprets dieting activates a protective mechanism, where it struggles to maintain sufficient energy in the body. Therefore, adapting the endocrines responsible for increasing appetite and decreasing satiety becomes necessary.
Changing the Fat-Set Point in a Healthy Way
The body maintains its natural weight with exercise and regular eating. Natural weight is the one that allows you to function well physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Thus, changing the fat-set point needs to be done healthily. Examining our weight history concerning the body and food is fundamental, especially since there is currently no tool available to determine it.
Thereby, avoid restricting food regularly since you could keep the same weight or even increase it. Likewise, if you exercise excessively, stick to a particular eating regimen, or only eat a certain amount of food, you are most likely not at your body’s fat-set point. These are some signs that you could be far from your fat-set point:
- Ignoring hunger cues
- Eating beyond satiety
- Stress eating regularly
The fat-set point theory is based on an active feedback model, where the amount of body fat is influenced by energy use or expenditure, and calorie intake, which translates into energy.
Following this practice, or any other should be done by the hand of a certified weight loss doctor since the damage to health can be irreversible and could generate unwanted diseases due to lack of guidance.
Leave your weight loss journey in the hands of professional, certified weight loss doctors. They will create a unique plan based on your physical, genetic, environmental, and mental conditions, that will help you lose weight without risking your health.