Definition: A theory suggesting that each person's metabolism adjusts itself to maintain a weight that is normal and healthy for that person. The set point may be outside what is considered the healthy range according to standard weight tables designed to apply to the entire population.
For example, the "ideal body weight" for a medium-framed woman who is 5'5" tall is between 127 and 141 pounds. But one woman in this category may have a set point of 146 pounds. Another woman's set point might be 132. Or 155. Set point is unique for each person.
The set point theory is sometimes cited as an explanation for why weight-loss efforts sometimes stop producing weight loss even when a dieter stays on the diet.
Alternate Spellings: setpoint
Examples: When she found that she couldn't seem to lose any more weight, Talia decided that she had reached her set point and worked on becoming comfortable in her new body.
