Hormonal
In young healthy men, larger baseline subcutaneous adipocyte size protects against overfeeding-induced insulin resistance and ectopic lipid accumulation, whereas smaller adipocytes are associated with worsened metabolic outcomes despite similar weight gain.
If you have larger subcutaneous fat cells, you may be metabolically protected against the negative effects of occasional overeating compared to someone with smaller cells. However, this does not mean overeating is safe; it still causes weight gain and some metabolic stress. Focus on long-term health rather than trying to 'shrink' fat cells, as smaller cells may actually predispose you to insulin resistance during periods of excess energy intake.
In contrast, smaller fat cells were associated with a worsened metabolic response to overfeeding. ... subjects with smaller fat cells had a larger reduction in insulin sensitivity despite a greater expansion of the subcutaneous adipose depot.
Why this rating
Well-controlled prospective study with rigorous metabolic clamps, but small sample size (n=29) and short duration (8 weeks).
Source
Effect of 8 Weeks of Overfeeding on Ectopic Fat Deposition and Insulin Sensitivity: Testing the “Adipose Tissue Expandability” Hypothesis
Darcy L. Johannsen et al. · Diabetes Care · 2014
DOI 10.2337/dc14-0761
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