Study Shows Obese People Have 'Sicker' Fat Cells

The results of a new study conducted by the Temple University School of Medicine conclude that fat cells in obese people are "sicker" than fat cells in lean people. The researched applied the simple definition of sickness: when something doesn’t work correctly, it is sick. The fat cells in obese people are not working right, and are by the simple definition, sick.

The Temple University School of Medicine study is the first to show that not all fat cells are alike. Fat cells in obese people are often stressed and inflamed, and they produce chemicals that interfere with the body’s ability to process and utilize insulin. As such, many obese people become insulin resistant, one of the early stages in the development of diabetes. In addition, the research suggests that the malfunctioning fat cells strengthen the already strong bond between obesity and the high risk of developing chronic life-threatening diseases (such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease).

The researchers compared fat from the upper thighs of six obese individuals and six lean individuals, finding stress in the obese people's cells. The stress was found in an area called the endoplasmic reticulum, which is found in every cell and affects the production and folding of certain proteins in a way that leads to insulin resistance, and ultimately diabetes if the individual does not make appropriate lifestyle changes necessary to lose weight and improve their overall health.

“Sick” fat cells in obese people are impaired and unable to perform their normal function of storing excess calories. The researchers believe that these “sick” fat cells let excess food energy spill over to other parts of the body such as the liver, resulting in a fatty liver that may eventually become cirrhosis or a cancerous liver if the individual does not lose weight.