World Lipodystrophy Day Date in the current year: March 31, 2025

Adipose tissue is a type of connective tissue whose primary function is to store energy in the form of fat. It also produces several hormones, helps keep your body warm, and protects internal organs. Adipose tissue is found under the skin, around internal organs, between and around muscle groups, in the bone marrow, and in the breasts.

It is well known that excess body fat (obesity) is bad for your health; it is less well known that a lack of adipose tissue can be just as harmful, if not more so. Disorders in which the body is unable to produce and maintain healthy adipose tissue are collectively known as lipodystrophy.

Lipodystrophy can be congenital (genetic) or acquired. The former is extremely rare, affecting about one in a million people, while the latter is much more common. Acquired lipodystrophy can have several possible causes, including autoimmune diseases, HIV, side effects of certain medications, and others. In many cases, the exact cause of lipodystrophy is unknown. Most forms of lipodystrophy begin in childhood, but acquired lipodystrophy can develop later in life and most commonly affects women.

How does lipodystrophy affect the body? People with this condition often have low levels of leptin, a hormone that helps maintain body weight by making you feel full. People with low leptin levels may experience extreme hunger and have difficulty maintaining body weight.

In some cases of lipodystrophy, the patient’s body stores fat in non-adipose tissues. This is called lipotoxicity and can lead to a number of health conditions, including insulin resistance, diabetes, fatty liver disease, pancreatitis, hypertriglyceridemia (high levels of triglycerides in the blood, which increases the risk of heart disease and pancreatitis), metabolic syndrome, and coronary artery disease. Although not all people with lipodystrophy develop these complications, there is reason to be concerned.

Treatment and management of lipodystrophy depends on the specific type of lipodystrophy and the presence of comorbidities (associated conditions). It may include medications to increase leptin levels, treat insulin resistance and/or diabetes, and regulate triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Some people may undergo cosmetic surgery to compensate for the lack of fat tissue in cosmetically sensitive areas (face, chest, pubic region).

World Lipodystrophy Day (WLD) was created in 2013 by the International Association of Families and People Affected by Lipodystrophies (Asociación Internacional de Familiares y Afectados de Lipodistrofias, AELIP), an international organization based in Spain that supports people with lipodystrophy and their families. Its main goal is to raise public awareness about lipodystrophy and the challenges faced by people living with this devastating disease.