Set point weight theory claims that a person’s body aims to maintain fat mass and weight at a predetermined range. It may explain why people tend to regain the weight they lost while dieting. This ...

Understanding the Context

Forbes: Why Your Weight Set Point Rises And How It Drives Weight Gain Why Your Weight Set Point Rises And How It Drives Weight Gain Everyday Health: What Is Set-Point Theory and How Does It Affect Weight Loss? Psychology Today: When the Shoe Fits, Wear It: Understanding Body Weight Set Point The hardest part of losing weight may be keeping it off. Research supports this conclusion. Some scientists believe that the human body has a set point weight that it returns to.

Key Insights

If you lose weight, ... Your defended weight range can gradually shift upward through hormonal, metabolic, environmental, and microbiome-driven changes that push the body toward higher weight. Questions about why weight gain ... Most people think of weight loss as a math problem: calories in versus calories out. In reality, your body sees it as a survival threat.

Final Thoughts

When calorie intake falls or body fat decreases, biological ...