What term describes the disproportionate decrease in resting metabolic rate after weight loss, contributing to weight regain?

What term describes the disproportionate decrease in resting metabolic rate after weight loss, contributing to weight regain?

• A. Metabolic adaptation (adaptive thermogenesis)
• B. Insulin resistance
• C. Leptin resistance
• D. Increased thermogenesis

Answer: (A)

Metabolic adaptation, also called adaptive thermogenesis, describes what happens when resting metabolic rate falls more than would be predicted after weight loss. As you lose weight—especially fat-free mass—the body's energy needs decrease, and hormonal shifts (such as lower leptin and thyroid hormone levels) plus changes in nervous system activity further suppress energy expenditure. This disproportionate drop in resting energy expenditure reduces total daily calories burned, which can pave the way for weight regain if caloric intake isn’t reduced further or activity isn’t increased. In contrast, insulin resistance affects glucose handling, leptin resistance mainly disrupts appetite signaling, and increased thermogenesis would raise energy expenditure rather than lower it, so they don’t fit this scenario.

Metabolic adaptation, also called adaptive thermogenesis, describes what happens when resting metabolic rate falls more than would be predicted after weight loss. As you lose weight—especially fat-free mass—the body's energy needs decrease, and hormonal shifts (such as lower leptin and thyroid hormone levels) plus changes in nervous system activity further suppress energy expenditure. This disproportionate drop in resting energy expenditure reduces total daily calories burned, which can pave the way for weight regain if caloric intake isn’t reduced further or activity isn’t increased. In contrast, insulin resistance affects glucose handling, leptin resistance mainly disrupts appetite signaling, and increased thermogenesis would raise energy expenditure rather than lower it, so they don’t fit this scenario.