Abstract
Excessive expansion of the adipose tissue in obese humans and laboratory animals can be achieved either through an increase in adipose cell size (hypertrophic-normal cellular obesity) or an increase in adipose cell number and size (hypercellular-hypertrophic obesity). Adipose hypercellularity appears to be related to the age of onset and to the severity of the obesity. In general, the earlier in life obesity begins and the more severe the obesity the greater the likelihood of an increased number of adipose cells; however, hypercellularity can occur in adult life and in those who are not massively obese. Hypercellularity appears to be irreversible, once established. The possible role of, and mechanism by which the cellular character of the adipose tissue (cell number and/or size) contribute to the development and maintenance of obesity is discussed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 48-53 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Obesity and Metabolism |
Volume | 1 |
Issue number | 1 |
State | Published - 1981 |
Externally published | Yes |