Obesity is turning itself into a global problem, whether it is really true the way they put it or it is an old problem but not taken serious previously, it is something to debate. Below one can see a map of obesity. Some claims that it is a problem of "developed" countries, however some countries with rich natural resources also soon will face this problem such as Brazil, predicted to assume the 5th position by 2025.
 |
| Obesity Map. The intensity goes from light yellow to red: source: Wikipedia, 2015. |
It is not uncommon people that spend their lives on diets, and in some cases exercises, looking for losing weight. It is not uncommon as well that they fail. Scientifically, it is a challenge. Two theories mainly try to give a glimpse on the "whys". That is to say: set point and settling point theory.
The set point theory has been around for a longer time and basically it says that the body tries to recover from diet changes by eating more or less, trying to optimize the difference between current body weight and a pre-defined values, that some assumes to varies, with more tendency to increase than decrease.
One way to study hypotheses is by models, e.g. computer-mathematical simulations. Below is a computer simulation after implemeting the set-point hypothesis. See that food intake is increased in less caloric food and diminished in high caloric food. The same can be done for the settling point hypothesis. Mainly, it states that our body is a dynamical system, it is the byproduct of body and eating and living habits (environment). Both of the theories has defenders and deniers.
 |
| Food intake in a set point hypothesis, by mathematical modelling. Source: own codes and simulatons |
 |
| Body weight in a set point hypothesis, by mathematical modelling. Source: own codes and simulatons |
 |
| Body weight in a settling point hypothesis, by mathematical modelling. Source: own codes and simulatons |
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário