White adipose tissue accumulation and dysfunction in children with obesity

Abstract

The development of obesity begins early in life. The period between 3 and 6 years of age appears critical; once established, childhood obesity regularly persists into adulthood. In normal weight children the expansion of fat mass is characterized by hypertrophy and hyperplasia of adipose tissue, both being exaggerated with development of obesity. In addition to the mere expansion of fat mass, there are alterations in adipose tissue function associated with adipocyte hypertrophy, inflammation and fibrosis in adipose tissue depots, and an imbalance in adipokine secretion. Although the consequences of obesity are generally recognized in adults, this early emergence of obesity and hence prolonged exposure not only to increased fat mass but also adipose tissue dysfunction drives the early development of obesity-related comorbidities.