I read this. But I have 2 different interwoven thoughts and theories on this. Most would agree that stubborn areas of fat are usually the ones that start accumulating fat first. Stomach, love handles in men and buttocks, hips, thighs in women generally barring metabolic and hormonal derangements. 1.) I think stubborn fat is more linked to the fat composition of the tissue. The higher Polyunsaturated fat is in the diet the more is stored percentage wise. The fat the body produces on its own is more saturated. The body also prefers to burn saturated fat first since polyunsaturated fats slow metabolic rate by interferring with the thyroid. The net effect is accumulation of PUFAs over the years and thus a more "suboptimal" fat ratio. Since certain areas seem to be first to store and last to lose, it stands to reason that those areas become more condensed with the PUFA the body is reluctant to burn (oxidize).2.) Heat also has a part in an organisms ratio of production towards saturated or unsaturated fats (thinking plants here mostly). The colder the temperature the higher percentage of fat created will be unsaturated in order to stay liquid in the conditions. The higher the temperature the higher percentage of saturated fat (think coconuts) will be created since saturated fat is more stable. How does this relate to us? Well I conceed this second idea is less likely a factor than my previous statement, but I find it significant that the fatter areas of the body do indeed have less blood flow and usually exhibit cooler temperatures than the leaner or less fat bound areas. Would an adaptive mechanism to this be to store a higher percentage of unsaturated fat in these areas in order to avoid the congealing that would occur to saturated fats?

One correlate that I'm not sure they mentioned in that article was that muscle mass burns more energy than fat mass.  In addition to everything the article stated, if you're doing extra leg and core work and building up the muscles in problem areas, wouldn't it stand to reason that the extra lean mass in those areas would break down more fatty tissue in those problem areas for energy? (on the proper diet for the individual?)

I read this. But I have 2 different interwoven thoughts and theories on this. Most would agree that stubborn areas of fat are usually the ones that start accumulating fat first. Stomach, love handles in men and buttocks, hips, thighs in women generally barring metabolic and hormonal derangements. 1.) I think stubborn fat is more linked to the fat composition of the tissue. The higher Polyunsaturated fat is in the diet the more is stored percentage wise. The fat the body produces on its own is more saturated. The body also prefers to burn saturated fat first since polyunsaturated fats slow metabolic rate by interferring with the thyroid. The net effect is accumulation of PUFAs over the years and thus a more "suboptimal" fat ratio. Since certain areas seem to be first to store and last to lose, it stands to reason that those areas become more condensed with the PUFA the body is reluctant to burn (oxidize).2.) Heat also has a part in an organisms ratio of production towards saturated or unsaturated fats (thinking plants here mostly). The colder the temperature the higher percentage of fat created will be unsaturated in order to stay liquid in the conditions. The higher the temperature the higher percentage of saturated fat (think coconuts) will be created since saturated fat is more stable. How does this relate to us? Well I conceed this second idea is less likely a factor than my previous statement, but I find it significant that the fatter areas of the body do indeed have less blood flow and usually exhibit cooler temperatures than the leaner or less fat bound areas. Would an adaptive mechanism to this be to store a higher percentage of unsaturated fat in these areas in order to avoid the congealing that would occur to saturated fats?

By temperature you mean body temperature?

Mostly. People with lowered metabolisms usually have much lower average body temperature and pulse rate/blood flow. But also fat builds on top of itself and gets further away from the "core" and becomes more exposed to the elements. So that in colder enviroments these areas can be even colder than the bodys internal averages. The skin over fat in the love handle areas for instance is always colder to touch than everywhere else on me. That speaks to the lower blood flow that they mention in the article but I believe it may also skew the ratio of fatty acid make up. I did a really piss poor search but couldnt find anything that would validate this idea. Just theory at the mo. I think my first idea would hold more water.

Mostly. People with lowered metabolisms usually have much lower average body temperature and pulse rate/blood flow. But also fat builds on top of itself and gets further away from the "core" and becomes more exposed to the elements. So that in colder enviroments these areas can be even colder than the bodys internal averages. The skin over fat in the love handle areas for instance is always colder to touch than everywhere else on me. That speaks to the lower blood flow that they mention in the article but I believe it may also skew the ratio of fatty acid make up. I did a really piss poor search but couldnt find anything that would validate this idea. Just theory at the mo. I think my first idea would hold more water.

Perhaps it's just that the body recognizes the extra insulation there, thus it doesn't need as much blood flow to regulate body temp. Pure hypothesis.

Theres also the theory that fat is stored around the abdomen as an evolutionary shock absorber for the internal organs.

Just came across this site where the guy posted a few studies about the different ratio of fatty acid composition in various parts of the body. http://www.functionalps.com/blog/2013/11/19/thigh-and-buttock-fat-depots-more-unsaturated-than-abdominal-fat-depots/This lends more credence to my thoughts on 'Stubborn' area's of fat being more unsaturated and thus easier to store and harder to lose from.