The chemical composition of the tissue lost by obese patients on a reducing regimen

Abstract

The excess weight of obese people is not all attributable to fat. Adipose tissue contains cells with their nuclei, blood vessels and nerves in addition to fat. I n most obese people there may be hypertrophy of skeletal and cardiac muscle, and perhaps of other organs, which have to support and move the increased mass of fat. Keys & Broiek (1953) introduced the term 'obesity tissue' to describe the material laid down in response to an excessive calorie intake. Obesity tissue is composed of fat, protein and other cell solids and water. It is described in chemical terms and so distinguished from adipose tissue, which is an anatomical term.