gluteofemoral

Gluteofemoral refers to the anatomical region comprising the buttocks and thighs. In human anatomy, gluteofemoral fat describes subcutaneous adipose tissue located in the gluteal and proximal femoral regions. This fat depot, distinct from visceral adipose tissue, serves primarily as an energy reserve and has different metabolic properties. It tends to store lipids more readily and release fatty acids more slowly than visceral fat, and is influenced by sex hormones, particularly estrogen.

Epidemiological and physiological data indicate that women typically accumulate more gluteofemoral fat than men, which is linked to a relatively favorable metabolic profile and reduced risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, compared with central obesity. The precise mechanisms remain under study, but gluteofemoral adipose tissue is thought to act as a metabolic sink, limiting ectopic fat deposition in liver, muscle, and other organs; it may also secrete adipokines that influence systemic metabolism. During weight gain, individuals often gain gluteofemoral fat; during weight loss, loss patterns vary by sex and individual. Aging can reduce regional fat and alter distribution.

Measurements of the gluteofemoral region can be done with imaging methods such as DXA, MRI or CT. In clinical context, changes in gluteofemoral fat are considered in obesity and metabolic syndrome research, though it is not typically a direct target of therapy. Its protective role is an area of ongoing investigation.