[beautifulone]

I didn't know where to post this, so here we are

I have heard/read many conflicting opinions on this, I was wondering if anyone knew for sure, that when we gain weight - do we increase the number of fat cells we have OR do we keep the number we have but they increase in size?

So then when we lose weight, do they shrink and we're back at where we would be had we not gained weight or do the ones we have shrink but now we have tons more than we would have had had we not gained weight? The argument for "extra fat cells never disappear, they just shrink" also follows to say that after weight loss, it is much easier for someone who was once overweight/obese to gain weight than someone who was always a healthy weight because we have many more fat cells.

I don't know what to believe, I would much rather they just increase in size than number, but maybe the verdict's still out on that one?? Anyone know?

[Meg]

A couple of years ago, I attended a conference on fat cells (in the context of growing stem cells from fat cells). I recall that one presenter talked about fat storage - how the 'fat' in fat cells is in liquid form (like Crisco oil!) and the cells fill up and up until they're about to burst. And then if excess calories keep rolling in, new cells are forced to form to act as little storage tanks.

So I think the answer is both: fat cells GROW ... and then when they can't get any bigger, then they MULTIPLY.

It's kinda gross when you think about it.