Hypertrophy and atrophy of fat

Abstract An increase in the size of the adipose tissue beyond the size normally observed in the given population is known as obesity. One localized form of hypertrophy is given the term lipoma, but there is some overlap between multiple or segmental forms of lipomata and obesity, which is a generalized increase in the size of adipose tissues. Atrophies of fat may also be generalized or localized. The term lipodystrophy has been used to describe both atrophy and hypertrophy. The many genetic or congenital forms of fat disorder draw attention to the associations with endocrine disease, growth disorders, and metabolic disease such as diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure are also age-related associations of generalized obesity. Because of the importance of body contour to body image, there are social consequences of obesity, such as loss of confidence, and there are behavior attributes linked to particular types of physique. Taitz 1 points out that children suffer socially from obesity: "some are merely teased, others are bullied unmercifully, and some are virtually ostracized. And it is suggested that fat high school children do less well academically because of emotional problems and because there may be a prejudice against obese candidates at interview." The term endomorphic has been used to describe a particular body shape, and measurements of performance in athletics of schooling have pointed to rather complex interactions between body shape and personality. 2