What is the distribution of fats in the human body?
Fatty tissue is found almost everywhere in the human body, it serves as a cushion for sensitive organs and functions as a building material and “gap filler”. It can be found on the heart, in the muscle, the kidney and even in the brain. However, the main mass of body fat and also the visible part is the subcutaneous fat tissue.
Usually, stored fat tends to accumulate at the trunk of the body, but the distribution can vary considerably: The “pear shape” is typical for women, i.e. an accumulation of fat on the hips and thighs. For men, the “apple shape” is widespread, so the fat accumulates mainly on the abdomen. Studies show that the accumulation of fat on the stomach is associated with an increased risk of inflammatory vascular diseases.
The number of white fat cells (adipocytes), which make up the majority of fat cells in adults, usually does not change after puberty. The extent of the adipose tissue is then only determined by how large the fat accumulation is within the individual fat cells. Where these white fat cells form ultimately depends on the genetic disposition, which is not yet understood in every detail.
