How is Body Fat Created?
Body fat is created when you consume more calories than your body expends. These excess calories are stored as fat in specialized fat cells called adipose tissue. Your body either enlarges existing fat cells or creates new ones to accommodate this excess energy.
The creation of body fat involves several key steps:
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Caloric Surplus: When you consistently consume more calories than your body burns through activity and metabolism, you create a caloric surplus. This excess energy needs to be stored.
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Adipose Tissue: The body primarily stores this excess energy in adipose tissue, which is found throughout the body. Adipose tissue is not merely a storage depot; it's also an active endocrine organ, secreting hormones and proteins that affect various bodily functions. (Harvard Health, NIH, Cleveland Clinic, Harvard Nutrition Source)
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Fat Cell Growth: Adipose tissue stores fat by either increasing the size of existing fat cells (hypertrophy) or by creating new fat cells (hyperplasia). Research indicates that most new fat cells originate from cells in the walls of blood vessels within fat tissue itself. (NIH, Premier Vein & Vascular)
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Fat Cell Function: Fat cells don't just store fat; they also play a role in immune function and the production of steroid hormones. (Harvard Nutrition Source)
Dietary Fat's Role
While dietary fat contributes to overall calorie intake, it's not the sole determinant of body fat. The body uses fatty acids from various sources (including dietary fat) to build the fats it needs. However, a caloric surplus from any source (carbs, protein, or fat) will lead to fat storage. (Mayo Clinic)
Types of Body Fat
It is important to note that body fat is not uniformly distributed. Visceral fat, located around vital organs, is considered more harmful than subcutaneous fat, found under the skin. (healthdirect)
