List Of Certain Types Of Body Fat

Four basic types of tissue are found in the human body. One of the four is connective tissue, and adipose tissue is a type of connective tissue that makes up the fat in a human body. Categorizing human body fat by types can be done in one of several ways, for example, by location, by color, or by function. Regardless of how human body fat is categorized, little difference exists in the makeup of the substance, basically all of which is adipose tissue.

Identification

Dietary fats, eaten in moderation, are not metamorphosed into human fat tissue. Calories consumed in dietary fats that are not needed and used by the body immediately are converted into human fat, as are excess calories from carbohydrates, proteins and anything else we consume. The physiological and anatomical term "adipose tissue" can be used synonymously with the common term body fat. Adipose tissue stores energy for the body to use later, provides insulation and produces hormones. This tissue is necessary to a properly functioning human body in proper amounts. In excess, adipose tissue poses a serious health risk.

Location

Subcutaneous, visceral and yellow bone marrow are three ways to separate types of body fat by location. Subcutaneous human body fat is the fat tissue immediately under the skin layers. This layer of fat insulates the body, protecting our organ systems from temperature extremes. Visceral body fat insulates the internal organs and provides padded protection. Yellow bone marrow contains primarily specialized fat cells. Categorizing body fats by location is not always systematic. For example, belly fat usually contains both subcutaneous and visceral body fat.

Color

Studies have been done to determine the differences between brown and white body fats. The majority of body fat in an average human is white. Very little of the total is composed of brown body fat. According to a study titled "Brown Adipose Tissue: Function and Physiological Significance" in a 2004 issue of the American Psychological Society, brown adipose tissue produces heat when the body is in need. Studies show that although brown adipose tissue constitutes only a small percentage of total body mass, during times of thermogenesis, (i.e., heat production), the brown fat uses all the available oxygen in the human body to further the process.

Function

Another means of categorizing body fats are by function, as in reserve, storage, and structural. Reserve fats fuel the muscles during times of activity when immediate calories are not available for use. Structural body fats are those that pad muscles and bones and protect internal organs, ( i.e., visceral body fats.) Body fats accumulated for storage provide an energy source for the body especially in times when food consumption does not meet everyday needs, such as during a serious illness, famine or during dieting to reduce weight. However, when the body needs energy, reserve and structural fats are tapped before storage fats.