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Question no. 87405

Which of these factors has the ability to shift the body’s set point?

Select your answer for: Which of these factors has the ability to shift the body’s set point?
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Answer: A. over feeding in childhood

Explanation

Overfeeding during critical periods in childhood can increase fat cell count, permanently shifting the body’s metabolic set point. An elevated set point drives increased hunger and makes long-term weight maintenance exceedingly difficult. Biological mechanisms work aggressively to defend this established weight threshold against reduction. The set-point theory suggests that the body biologically regulates weight around a specific preferred level. Adipose tissue proliferation during childhood development creates lasting physiological changes in metabolism. Hormones like leptin and ghrelin signal the brain to regulate appetite and energy expenditure.

Childhood nutrition programs emphasize healthy eating habits to prevent lifelong metabolic set-point shifts. Adult dieters often experience weight regain because their bodies vigorously defend an elevated set point. Understanding set-point regulation helps physicians design realistic clinical weight management treatments. External eating cues influence meal timing rather than permanently altering the underlying metabolic set point. Severe dieting typically triggers compensatory metabolic slowdowns rather than raising the body set point. Low self-esteem is a psychological factor associated with emotional distress rather than physiological set-point shifts.

Subject
Psychology
Category
Psychology
Topic
—
Difficulty
medium

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