Final answer:
The set point in the lipostatic theory of obesity is an individual's predetermined ideal body weight which the body attempts to sustain. However, this theory has been critiqued for not taking social and environmental factors into consideration. Leptin resistance is another mechanism that may contribute to obesity by preventing individuals from feeling satiated.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the lipostatic theory of obesity, the set point is a concept that suggests each individual has a genetically predetermined ideal body weight, which the body strives to maintain. This set point is presumed to be robust against change, with the body provoking compensatory changes in energy consumption and expenditure to remain at this weight. However, studies have revealed limitations in the set-point theory, particularly its failure to acknowledge the impact of social and environmental factors on body weight regulation, as well as the lack of differences in metabolic rates between individuals with significant weight loss and those without.
Research into leptin resistance has pointed to another physiological mechanism involved in obesity, which is a decreased sensitivity to the hormone leptin that regulates appetite based on fat reserves. This resistance could lead to an inability to feel full and may encourage overeating, contributing to weight gain beyond the hypothetical set point. Obesity, as defined by Body Mass Index (BMI), comes with various health risks, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.