:::: THE BIG PROBLEM website :::: Fat Free :::: What is fat?

What is Fat?
Fat is used as an energy source. When there is plenty of food, fat is stored for future use and then converted back to energy when it is needed. Normal amounts of fat are not a problem for the body. In fact, we need some fat to make cells and to help the body run properly. People become obese when they take in more calories than they use. There are many other things that make us gain weight like genetics, metabolism, culture and lifestyle.

Where is fat stored in the body?
Fat is usually stored under the skin but is also stored on top of your kidneys and inside your liver and muscles. Men tend to store fat on their chest, waist and buttocks and women on their breasts, waist, hips and buttocks.

What do we mean when we say fat?
Well, fat tissue is made up of fat cells. Think of many tiny little bags that hold a drop of fat. These fat cells start growing before we are born and we make them only while we are kids. The next big fat storage stage is during puberty, when the sex hormones, estrogen and testosterone start to kick in. Luckily, we do not grow any more fat cells after puberty. Our cells just get larger or smaller to hold the fat inside our bodies.

Men tend to store fat on their chest, waist and buttocks and women on their breasts, waist, hips and buttocks. Copyright The Big Problem