Adipöse

Adipöse is a German adjective used in medical contexts to describe obesity or, when applied to a noun, adipose tissue. The term stems from adipositas, meaning an excessive accumulation of body fat, and from the Latin root there is a medical usage that designates fat tissue or conditions related to excess fat. In German, adipös is commonly used to characterize a person with high body fat, while adipöses Gewebe refers to adipose tissue.

Adipose tissue is a specialized connective tissue that stores energy as triglycerides and serves endocrine and insulating roles. It consists of adipocytes embedded in a supportive matrix and communicates with the rest of the body through adipokines such as leptin and adiponectin. There are several types: white adipose tissue (primarily for energy storage and hormone signaling), brown adipose tissue (specialized for heat production through thermogenesis), and beige adipose tissue, which exhibits properties of both white and brown fat under specific stimuli.

In humans, adipose tissue is distributed subcutaneously and viscerally. Visceral fat is more strongly associated with metabolic risks, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, compared with subcutaneous fat. Obesity is usually classified by body mass index (BMI), with BMI of 30 kg/m^2 or higher indicating obesity, though fat distribution and metabolic health are also important considerations.

Etiology and management of adiposity involve genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors that influence energy balance. Treatments range from lifestyle changes—dietary modification and physical activity—to pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery for severe cases. The concept of “metabolically healthy obesity” is debated, illustrating that adiposity and health outcomes can vary among individuals. The term adipöse can carry social stigma, making precise, respectful usage important in clinical and public discourse.