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Metabolic Set-Point Variance

Meaning

Metabolic Set-Point Variance describes the degree to which an individual’s intrinsic homeostatic mechanisms allow their body weight, body composition, and basal metabolic rate to deviate from a stable, genetically or environmentally programmed equilibrium. A high variance indicates a flexible metabolism that can readily adapt to changes in caloric intake or energy expenditure without aggressive counter-regulatory hormonal shifts, whereas a low variance suggests a rigid system highly resistant to change. This concept is clinically relevant for understanding the difficulty some individuals face in achieving and maintaining body composition goals.