Energy balance
Fat cell hyperplasia (increase in number) is the primary competitive strategy of adipocytes, leading to increased partitioning of nutrients to fat and poorer treatment outcomes for weight loss compared to hypertrophy (increase in size).
If you have been obese for a long time, you may have more fat cells (hyperplasia). This makes weight loss harder because each cell competes for nutrients. Consistent physical activity and dietary management are crucial to manage this increased capacity for fat storage.
Hyperplastic obese individuals have a poorer treatment outcome following diet-induced weight loss than hypertrophic individuals.
Why this rating
Cites multiple studies across species showing the link between hyperplasia and treatment resistance.
Source
Cell-Specific “Competition for Calories” Drives Asymmetric Nutrient-Energy Partitioning, Obesity, and Metabolic Diseases in Human and Non-human Animals
Edward Archer et al. · Frontiers in Physiology · 2018
DOI 10.3389/fphys.2018.01053
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