Adiponectin is a protein hormone that modulates a number of metabolic processes, including glucose regulation and fatty acid oxidation.[5] Adiponectin is exclusively secreted from adipose tissue (and also from the placenta in pregnancy[6]) into the bloodstream and is very abundant in plasma relative to many hormones. Levels of the hormone are inversely correlated with body fat percentage in adults;[7] however, a meta analysis was not able to confirm this association in healthy adults.[8] The association in infants and young children is less clear. Similarly, circulating adiponectin concentrations increase during caloric restriction in animals and humans, such as in patients with anorexia nervosa.