Adipose tissue cellularity in obese nondiabetic men in an urbanized Pacific island (Polynesian) population.

In a Pacific island (Polynesian) population exposed to Westernized food-stuffs and sedentary life during adulthood, the fat cell size in the gluteal region in obese men was 71% higher than in age-matched nonobese controls. Rough estimations of body fat from anthropometric measurements suggest that the obesity of these men were mainly due to fat cell enlargement. Increased blood glucose and plasma lipids were associated with the obesity.