Which observation seems to undermine the basic idea of set-point theory?
A)Although laboratory mice and rats will overeat if given a variety of foods to eat, animals in the wild will only eat enough to maintain a normal body weight.
B)Many people have a strong tendency to gain excessive weight as they get older.
C)Even when people are given medications that boost brain levels of serotonin, their weight will gradually decrease with age.
D)The prevalence of obesity is just as great in developing countries as in North America.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Set-point theory suggests that the body has a set weight range that it seeks to maintain. However, the observation that many people have a tendency to gain excessive weight as they get older contradicts this idea. If the body truly had a fixed weight set point, we would not expect to see such widespread weight gain as people age.

Which Observation Seems to Undermine the Basic Idea of Set-Point