Is adiposopathy (sick fat) an endocrine disease?

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Disease Research
• Obesity Medicine

Background:

• Consensus and controversy exist regarding classifying obesity as a disease.
• Adipose tissue's role in promoting metabolic dysfunction is a key area of investigation.
• Understanding when excessive body fat constitutes a disease is crucial for clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current understanding of obesity as a disease.
• To examine the pathogenic potential of adipose tissue in metabolic disease.
• To evaluate the utility of 'adiposopathy' and 'sick fat' as clinical terms.

Main Methods:

• A panel of endocrinologists reviewed medical literature.
• Focus was placed on the pathological and pathogenic aspects of adipose tissue.
• The review emphasized the link between excessive body weight and metabolic diseases.

Main Results:

• Evidence supports pathogenic adipose tissue as a disease state.
• Challenges remain in public and clinical acceptance of obesity as a disease.
• 'Adiposopathy' offers a framework to define adipose tissue abnormalities and their health consequences.
• Adiposopathy explains how excess caloric intake can lead to detrimental metabolic and immune responses from fat tissue.
• The concept of 'sick fat' aids patient understanding and adherence to weight loss recommendations.

Conclusions:

• Adiposopathy (sick fat) is classified as an endocrine disease.
• This classification aids in justifying weight loss as a therapeutic strategy for metabolic diseases in overweight and obese individuals.