Tardy occurrence of adipocyte hyperplasia in cafeteria-fed rat

White adipose tissue cellularity was studied in rats during a diet characterized by a free choice of highly palatable items. At the 8th wk the increase in adipose stores is due to hypertrophy. Between the 8th and 20th wk hypertrophy persists, but hyperplasia appears both in retroperitoneal and epididymal sites. The probable role of carbohydrate intake in the onset of hyperplasia is discussed.