Gaby
People who constantly struggle with excess weight often hear the advice: “Eat less and move more.” They are blamed for a lack of self-discipline and neglecting a proper diet. However, it turns out that these criticisms are often unfair. For many, the battle against obesity is influenced by biological mechanisms that go beyond willpower.
A team of researchers from Concordia University in Montreal has stated that the roots of these failures lie in the complex science of metabolism.
There’s Something Wrong with Fat Tissue
The real reason behind problematic weight loss often lies in the fat in our bodies, particularly in the fat beneath the skin, known as subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). This tissue plays a crucial role in energy regulation and metabolic health. When there is too much fat in the body, SAT can malfunction, leading to excessive fat accumulation in the liver and muscles. This, in turn, increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
The authors of the SAT study at the university’s metabolism, nutrition, and obesity lab aimed to find new effective approaches to treating obesity that take into account the individual characteristics of each patient.
One of these individual differences is the location of SAT accumulation. Subcutaneous fat in the lower body, around the thighs and buttocks, functions differently than fat that concentrates around the abdomen. The scientists examined the cellular and genetic aspects of these different fat deposits and their connection to obesity and diabetes.
According to the team, obesity is not just excess weight; it is a result of how the body stores and processes fat. The behavior of SAT is also influenced by gender. Depending on gender, different depots of subcutaneous fat behave differently. In other words, gender is linked to how fat tissue manages fat.
A closer look at SAT under the microscope revealed that this tissue consists of various types of cells, including fat cells (or adipocytes) and immune cells. Adipocytes are passive storage units. They regulate energy, produce hormones, and interact with other systems in the body. However, when these cells stop functioning properly, they can lead to inflammation, insulin resistance, and other metabolic disorders.
Immune cells are also important components of fat tissue, playing a significant role in inflammation and metabolic disturbances.
The characteristics of SAT are also influenced by the age at which obesity develops, as reported by Science Alert.
Why Is This Research Direction Important?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are over 2.5 billion adults worldwide who are overweight, with 890 million suffering from obesity.
Previous studies have shown that women with obesity face significant challenges in their professional lives. They earn four percent less and have a 5.3 percent lower chance of finding a job compared to women with a healthy weight.
The authors of the study believe that instead of blaming people for a lack of discipline, the focus should shift to understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms. This will enable experts to create targeted treatment methods aimed at addressing the root causes of obesity. By tailoring treatments to the metabolic profile of each patient, researchers will ultimately find universal approaches to tackling the obesity problem.
The team argues that the public health issue lies in the tendency to rely on tried-and-true weight loss methods, such as medication, exercise, and diet, while often overlooking the functioning of fat tissue.
