Are Regular Fat and Skinny Fat the Same Thing?

Aug 28, 2024

The popular spiel online and on social media, including too many medical professionals, claims that regular white/yellow fat (1, 2) and skinny fat (3) are the same thing. Yet, the Standard BMI definition (4) clearly states that once a person is inside safe BMI — 18.5 to 24.99 — they no longer have too much/any excess regular white/yellow fat (5, 6). The scientific/medical definition (7) of skinny fat (normal weight obesity) is having too much fat on your body when within safe BMI — but it cannot be and is not too much/excess regular white/yellow fat.

You can technically lose 100% of your regular fat but your skinny fat (thin fat, cellulite) will remain. Just ask 80%+ of the women (8) and less than 10% of men (8) worldwide who are experiencing cellulite skinny fat. There is no scientifically documented evidence that a single one of them — 0% — has ever gotten rid of it. No matter how much regular fat they lose, how much muscle mass they add, or how many FDA-approved ways they pay for, they cannot permanently get rid of their cellulite. They can only reduce it.

Kinds of Human Body Fat – Are Regular Fat and Skinny Fat the Same Thing?

White Fat, Brown Fat, Beige Fat — mdvip.com

The kinds of fat (1, 2, 3) that are found in the human body are:

Regular White Fat/Yellow Fat Tissue – the most common and abundant fat in the human body is white fat. It is widespread across the body and can be found almost anywhere, but is typically most common on the chest, abdomen, and legs. White fat can look yellow because humans can’t properly metabolize yellow carotene in vegetables and grains, which migrates to and settles in our white fat cells. Visceral fat and subcutaneous fat (9, 10) are typically white fat.

Brown Fat Tissue – most abundant in newborn babies (11, 12), with small amounts remaining into adulthood, brown fat is significantly less abundant than white/yellow fat. It is typically found around the shoulders and neck and positively affects body temperature regulation and metabolism. In certain situations, white fat tissue can turn (13, 14) into brown fat tissue. Visceral fat and subcutaneous fat can be brown fat (15).

Beige Fat Tissue – a combination of white fat cells and brown fat cells. Like brown fat tissue, this tissue positively affects metabolism by burning calories to regulate body temperature via converting white fat to brown fat. White fat tissue can turn (16) into beige fat tissue under certain instances. Visceral fat and subcutaneous fat can be beige fat (10).

Skinny Fat - Normal Weight Obesity, Thin Fat, Cellulite - Are Regular Fat and Skinny Fat the Same Thing? — Research Participant 1170

Skinny Fat Tissue (3) – the newest type, we are still technically uncertain what kind of tissue — thin fat and cellulite — skinny fat really is. We know it is not muscle tissue. We know it is not white/yellow, brown, or beige fat tissue. But we are certain it exists, as a person can lose all of their regular white/yellow fat yet their skinny fat will remain.

There is no scientific evidence at this time that white/yellow, brown, or beige fat can turn into skinny fat, or vice versa. It is also unclear whether thin fat can become cellulite, although this is likely the case, as it would explain why some people notice more cellulite as they age. Only subcutaneous fat can be skinny fat (thin fat tissue, cellulite tissue).

Research Participant 1170, Skinny Fat (Normal Weight Obese, Thin Fat, Cellulite) - Are Regular Fat and Skinny Fat the Same Thing? — Skinny Fat (Normal Weight Obese, Thin Fat, Cellulite) – Research Participant 1170

What Type of Fat Causes Regular Obesity?

Obese - Too Much Regular White Fat/Yellow Fat - Are Regular Fat and Skinny Fat the Same Thing? — Research Participant 1303

The scientific/medical definition (5, 17) of being overweight (BMI 25 to 29.99) or obese (BMI 30+) is having excess/too much regular white fat/yellow fat. Only regular white fat causes a person to be overweight or obese. Whereas, brown fat and beige fat positively affect and help mitigate obesity (18, 19) and being overweight by improving metabolism (20) and burning more calories.

If you are experiencing skinny fat (3) where you genetically should have default genetic muscle/mass, anywhere you have skinny fat tissue you are more prone to putting on regular white/yellow fat and being overweight or obese. And the harder it can be to lose regular fat weight and keep it off. You will have to be more diligent with your diet, exercise, and lifestyle throughout your life. Skinny fat can exist at any BMI, although being normal weight obese (NWO) can only occur when you are within safe BMI.