Adipose tissue (commonly known as body fat) is found all over the body: under the skin (subcutaneous fat), packed around internal organs (visceral fat), between muscles, within bone marrow and in breast tissue.

Men tend to store more visceral fat, leading to obesity around the middle of their abdomen. However, women tend to store more subcutaneous fat within the buttocks and thighs. These differences are due to the sex hormones produced by males and females.

Adipose tissue is a very important and active endocrine organ; 𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑐𝑦𝑡𝑒𝑠 (or fat cells) play a vital role in the storage and release of energy throughout the body. In addition to adipocytes, adipose tissue contains numerous other cells that produce certain hormones in response to signals from the rest of the organs throughout the body. Through the actions of these hormones, adipose tissue plays an important role in the regulation of glucose, cholesterol and the metabolism of sex hormones.

Both too much (obesity) and too little (anorexia nervosa) adipose tissue can have severe health implications.