OBESITY AND SET-POINT THEORY

Course overview

OBESITY IS A CHRONIC DISEASE WITH COMPLEX PATHOPHYSIOLOGY CONTRIBUTING TO SIGNIFICANT MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY. OBESITY SET-POINT THEORY EXPLAINS THE CONCEPT OF HOMEOSTATIC FORCES DEFENDING A SET BODY WEIGHT. THE THEORY DESCRIBES THE COMPENSATORY MECHANISMS THAT POSE CHALLENGES TO WEIGHT LOSS TREATMENTS AND THE RECIDIVISM NOTED AFTER SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT LOSS. THE THEORY ALSO SUGGESTS THAT A PERSON'S WEIGHT SET POINT IS ESTABLISHED EARLY IN LIFE AND REMAINS RELATIVELY STABLE UNLESS ALTERED BY SPECIFIC CONDITIONS. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE CONCEPT OF OBESITY SET POINT, THE FACTORS AFFECTING IT, AND THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN MANAGING OBESITY.