THEORIES OF OBESITY
1. FAT CELL THEORY
▪ Fat cell - A cell containing fat and is also called an
adipocyte.
▪ A fat cell, or adipocyte, is a connective tissue cell that
has differentiated and become specialized in the
synthesis (manufacture) and storage of fat.
▪ The fat cell (adipocyte) is important to the body in
maintaining proper energy balance, storing calories in the
form of lipids, mobilizing energy sources in response to
hormonal stimulation, and commanding changes by
signal secretions.
▪ The fat the cells store provides warmth and protection to
the body, and transports essential vitamins such as A, D,
E, and K throughout the body. Most importantly, the
energy in the fat can keep an individual alive for months,
if the need ever arises.
▪ Fat, or adipose tissue, is found in several places in the
body. Generally, fat is found underneath the skin
(subcutaneous fat).
▪ Some cells on the top of the kidneys. In addition to fat
tissue, some fat is stored in the liver, and an even smaller
amount in muscle.
▪ Fat concentration in the body depends upon the gender
i.e whether a man or woman.
▪ An adult woman tends to carry fat in her chest, hips,
waist and buttocks, creating a "pear" shape.
▪ The difference in fat location comes from the sex
hormones estrogen and testosterone.
▪ Fat cells are formed in the developing foetus during the
third trimester of pregnancy, and later at the onset of
puberty, when the sex hormones "kick in."
▪ It is during puberty that the differences in fat distribution
between men and women begin to take form.
▪ Fat cells generally do not generate after puberty perhaps
the body stores more fat, the number of fat cells remains
the same.
▪ Each fat cell simply gets bigger.
▪ There are two exceptions where the fat cell increases in
number, the body might produce more fat cells if an
adult gains a significant amount of weight or has
liposuction performed.)
▪ Total number of fat cells are set early in life but in cases
of juvenile obesity the number of fat cells increases in
number and adult obesity causes an increase in the size
of the fat cell.
▪ Individuals with large number of fat cells face difficulties
in maintaining the body weight when compared with
those of having large size of fat cells.
2. SET POINT THEORY
▪ The set-point theory was originally developed in 1982 by
William Bennett and Joel Gurin to explain why repeated
dieting is unsuccessful in producing long-term change in
body weight or shape.
▪ DEFINED: Set point theory is an internal “thermostat”
that regulates body fat.
▪ Set point theory states that the body maintains its weight
and body fat level with internal regulatory controls.
▪ According to the popular theory, some people have a
high set point, meaning they tend to have a naturally
higher weight as a set point, while others have a low set
point and therefore a naturally lower body weight.
▪ The set point definition simply states that your body will
fight to maintain a given weight, even if the weight is too
high.
▪ If the thermostat is set high, then the body is destined to
carry more fat - even when tried to lose with diet and
exercise.
▪ But if the thermostat is set low, then the body is going to
be lean.
▪ In the theory, the speculation on going on a weight-loss
diet is an attempt to overpower the set point, and the set
point is a seemingly tireless opponent to the dieter.
▪ According to the set-point theory, the set point itself
keeps weight fairly constant, because it has more
accurate information about the body’s fat stores than the
conscious mind can obtain.
▪ In the first few weeks of dieting, weight is usually lost,
but it is almost always gained back.
▪ This is a sign that the body is trying to fight to retain its
natural weight.
▪ The dieter who begins a diet with a high set point
experiences constant hunger, as part of the body’s
attempt to restore the status quotient.
▪ At the same time, this system pressures the conscious
mind to change behaviour, producing feelings of hunger
or satiety.
