Abnormal lipid metabolism in fat cells predicts future weight gain and diabetes in women

The inefficient breakdown of fats predicts later weight gain and metabolic complications such as type 2 diabetes in women, researchers report. Low levels of hormone-stimulated lipolysis -- a biochemical process by which triglycerides are broken down into energy-rich fatty acids -- were associated with weight gain and metabolic problems 13 years later. The researchers also developed an algorithm to detect impairments in hormone-stimulated lipolysis using clinical and blood measures.