Human obesity is associated with increased heat production while subcutaneous depots provide an insulated layer that prevents heat loss. The objective of this study was to examine the body heat management in obesity using temperature profiles of the hands and abdomen under thermoneutral conditions. Abdominal skin temperature was cooler and fingernail-bed temperature was warmer in obese patients (body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2) compared to normal weight participants (BMI=18-25 kg/m>2). This study provides additional evidence that body regions with increased adiposity provide a significant insulating layer that blunt heat loss and that heat dissipation from peripheral regions, such as the hands, is augmented in obesity to maintain normothermia.
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