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Nutrition
Nutrition

Storage Fat (Adipose Tissue)

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Historical reference: its only source is the original reference manual, and some of it may be out of date. Not used for AI answers until re-sourced.

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DefinitionA short reference note, not a full lesson.
Definition

Storage fat is the fat held in adipose tissue beneath the skin and around organs — the fat we generally do not want to accumulate.

Detail

The total amount of fat in the body exists in two sites. The first is depot (essential) fat. The second major site is storage fat in adipose tissue. This fat protects internal organs and is the fat deposited beneath the surface of the skin. It is the fat we do not want to accumulate.

For reference, college-age men average about 18% of total weight as fat and college-age women about 22%; physically active people tend to carry less fat than untrained counterparts.

Key facts

  • Storage fat is held in adipose tissue (subcutaneous and around organs).
  • It protects internal organs.
  • It is the fat we generally do not want to accumulate.
  • Contrasts with depot/essential fat (see Essential Body Fat).

Connections

Sources

Historical reference · reference manual (page cited)
p.484
Section: "Skinfold Measurements."

See how this applies in practice, with honest limits on what the plan changes.

Build my planYour plan sets calorie and protein targets from your body, activity and goal by a fixed formula. This lesson explains the reasoning; reading it doesn’t change them.Save the lessonFree account · keeps it in your LibraryAsk a question about thisAnswers cite the Library’s own articles

Educational content only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for individualized guidance, especially around injury, pregnancy, or medical conditions.

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Atlas Connections

3,500 kcal = 1 lb Adipose Tissue Rule
About 3,500 kcal per pound of fat is a fair short-term estimate, but weight loss is not linear: expenditure falls as you lose weight, so a fixed 500-kcal daily deficit loses less than 1 lb a week over time.
Body Composition (Lean Body Mass vs. Fat Mass)
Total body weight divides into lean body mass (all non-fat tissue) and fat mass; some fat is essential for health.
Essential Body Fat
Essential fat — the minimum needed for health — is 3% to 5% of body weight in adult males and 11% to 14% in adult females.
Skinfold (Fatfold) Measurement
Because roughly half of body fat lies just beneath the skin, measuring subcutaneous fatfolds lets you predict total body fat.