During Weight Gain and Loss Non-obese gain fat by increasing fat cell size. Adult onset obesity - fat is increased by increasing both fat cell size and number. With weight loss, the fat cell number stays the same. Early nutritional practices can influence adipose cellularity. It is prudent for parents to avoid overfeeding children especiall prior to age 2 years.
Weight loss is accompanied by a reduction in fat cell size only .
Animals forced to exercise during growth and given unlimited access to food had less body fat due to less fat cell number and size. In adult life - exercise only decreases cell size. Early prevention of obesity through exercise and diet rather than correction of obesity once it is present may be the most effective method of curbing the overfat conditiion. Spot Reduction Spot reduction - is a myth where it is believed that by exercising one part of the body most of the fat will be lost from that specific anatomical area. Mobilization of fat during selective exercise occurs from fat depots all over the body with the areas of the most fat storage supplying the greatest amount of energy regardless of the muscle groups exercised.