Human visceral fat in different anthropometric patterns and in diabetes: a morphometric study.

Objective: To evaluate the cellularity of the adipose tissue and the size of adipocytes in unrelated adults and investigate any correlation between morphometric and anthropometric or clinical variables.

Study Design: Surgical biopsies of visceral fat (epiploic appendixes) were obtained from the large intestines of 56 patients. A morphometric model was applied to obtain the volume fraction occupied by adipocytes and the size distribution and number in unit volume of the adipocytes.