Adipose tissue development and metabolism

Abstract

Excess body fat is associated with many medical complications and obesity has become a major health problem in the United States and most other industrialized countries. The existence of adipose tissue as a specialized organ reflects the mechanism developed by organisms over time to cope with irregular and unpredictable supplies of nutrients. This ability to store fat was probably a survival feature of Homo sapiens; however, excess body fat has become a major heath problem. This chapter will briefly examine development and metabolic functions of adipose tissue and how these processes are regulated. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.