BODY FAT

Fat cells can be stored in three ways: essential, subcutaneous, or visceral fat.  

Essential fat is necessary for a healthy, functional body. Subcutaneous fat makes up most of our bodily fat and is found under the skin. 

Essential (functional) fat	Storage fat
Essential fat is defined as the fat needed to maintain normal physiological functions.	Storage fat is the fat which is stored in the adipose tissue, mostly beneath the skin (subcutaneous fat) and around the major organs in the body. The storage fat is used as an insulator to retain body heat and as an energy substrate for metabolism.
Essential fat is found in such tissues as muscles, nerve cells, bone marrow, intestines, heart, liver, and lungs. This essential fat constitutes about 3% of the total weight in men and 12% in women	Subcutaneous (under the skin)	Visceral (between the inner organs)

Our external body shape (body contour)  depends on   distribution of the fatty tissue   under the skin  abdominal cavity
	The fat tissue number and distribution of fat cells are genetically determined, the filling of the fat cells is environmental (e.g. malnutrition, obesity / adiposity, …..)

Body fat distribution is hormone-dependent, and therefore different in  men and women. 

Women, compared to men, have higher percent body fat and deposit it in a different pattern, with relatively more subcutaneous adipose tissue in the hips and thighs, wheras men have more (visceral fat) around the abdomen

Obesity is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat.

Obesity isn’t just a cosmetic concern. It’s a medical problem that increases the risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers.  

The Body mass index (BMI) provides a first rough indication of body weight. 

Body Weight (kg)  BMI =   ——————————–           Body Height² (m²)

Diagnostic and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity needs a multidisciplinary team approach