Obesity is a function of both number and fat content of adipocytes. In adults with juvenile-onset obesity, the number of adipocytes is increased in comparison with average nonobese persons. By weight loss, such obese adults can decrease the fat content but not the total number of cells. If the periods of adipocyte multiplication can be pinpointed, prevention or early treatment of obesity may be possible.
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Jules Hirsch (1972) studied this question.
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