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Your fat cells are with you for life.

Swedish scientists have discovered that the number of fat cells in our body is set during childhood and adolescence and then remains constant during adulthood. So every time a fat cell dies during adulthood, our body helpfully replaces it (darn it!). The number of fat cells in an adult’s body is a major determinant of fat mass – which means our body shape in childhood and adolescence will impact us for life. Yet another great reason to encourage youngsters to follow a healthy lifestyle.

Source: Nature, June 2008