Adipose tissue

Adipose tissue, also known as body fat, is a special kind of connective tissue made mostly of cells called adipocytes. It also includes other cells like preadipocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and different kinds of immune cells, such as adipose tissue macrophages. The main job of this tissue is to store energy as lipids, but it also helps protect and insulate the body.

We used to think that fat just sat there, but scientists now know it is very important. Fat tissue acts like a gland and makes many hormones, such as leptin, estrogen, resistin, and cytokines. When a person has too much fat, the tissue can release substances that cause problems like metabolic syndrome, which includes diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and atherosclerosis.

There are two main kinds of fat tissue. White adipose tissue stores energy, while brown adipose tissue helps keep the body warm. Fat tissue, especially brown fat, was first described by a Swiss scientist named Conrad Gessner way back in 1551. Fat tissue comes from special cells called preadipocytes, and genes help control how it forms.

Anatomical features

Adipose tissue, also called body fat, is found in several places in the body. It is located under the skin, around internal organs, in bone marrow, between muscles, and in the breast. Besides the main cells called adipocytes, adipose tissue contains other cells such as preadipocytes, fibroblasts, macrophages, and endothelial cells.

Adipose tissue has many small blood vessels. Under the skin, it helps protect the body from heat and cold. Around organs, it provides cushioning. Its main job, however, is to store energy in the form of fats, which the body can use when needed. It also helps control hunger signals to the brain.

Obesity

When a person has too much adipose tissue, especially around the abdomen, it is called being obese. This extra fat can make surgery more difficult. Obesity can be managed through exercise, healthy eating, behavioral changes, and sometimes medical procedures.

Visceral fat

Visceral fat, or abdominal fat, is found inside the abdominal cavity between organs like the stomach, liver, and intestines. Unlike the fat under the skin, visceral fat is linked to health issues such as type 2 diabetes and inflammatory diseases. Men often store more visceral fat than women due to sex hormone differences. Regular aerobic exercise and a healthy diet can help reduce visceral fat.

Subcutaneous fat

Most of the fat under the skin is called subcutaneous fat. This type of fat is found in areas like the hips, thighs, and buttocks, especially in women, and is generally less harmful to health than visceral fat. Subcutaneous fat also plays a role in hormone production.

Marrow fat

Marrow fat is a special type of fat found in bone marrow. It changes with exercise and calorie intake, similar to other body fats.

Ectopic fat

Ectopic fat is when fat builds up in organs like the liver or pancreas, where it isn’t normally stored. This can affect how those organs work and is linked to health problems like insulin resistance. Losing weight through diet and exercise can help reduce ectopic fat.

Physiology

Adipose tissue, also known as body fat, is a special type of connective tissue made mostly of fat cells called adipocytes. It also contains other cells like preadipocytes, fibroblasts, and immune cells. Its main job is to store energy in the form of fats, but it also helps protect and insulate the body.

Fat cells play a role in keeping the levels of certain fats and sugars in the body balanced. They also help decide whether the body will have trouble using insulin, a substance that helps manage blood sugar. Fat around the belly, in particular, can affect health and is linked to problems like trouble with blood sugar and heart disease. Scientists are also studying stem cells from fat tissue, which can help regrow tissues and might be useful for treating diseases.

Body fat meter

See also: Bioelectrical impedance analysis

A body fat meter is a tool used to measure how much body fat to weight ratio a person has. Some meters use a method called bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). This method passes a small, safe electric current through the body and measures how much the body resists the current. Using this information, along with the person’s weight, height, age, and whether they are male or female, the meter can estimate body fat percentage. This method is quick and easy to use but is not always very exact. Other ways to measure body fat include skin fold methods with calipers, underwater weighing, whole body air displacement plethysmography (ADP), and DXA.