Aug 16, 2006
Cellulite and weight loss
New research into weight loss and its effects on cellulite is making a big splash. Losing weight can reduce the appearance of cellulite for some women, according to research undertaken by plastic surgeon John Kitzmiller and colleagues. But, here’s the rub, weight loss could make the condition much worse for others.
About 85% of women (that’s 8.5 women in every ten ;-) are affected by cellulite, Kitzmiller claims, “Cellulite is not specific to overweight people, but excess weight may worsen the condition. We found that weight loss in overweight patients improved the appearance of cellulite, but for a few, it actually worsened the condition.”
He examined 29 women [not the biggest most statistically significant sample] who enrolled in medically supervised weight loss programs including low-fat meals, liquid diets, medication, and bariatric surgery. Seventeen patients experienced an improvement in the appearance of their cellulite, while 9 worsened. The average weight loss was 30.5 pounds (range 2.3 – 102 pounds).
Those women who lost most weight and reduced their thigh fat too saw the greatest reduction in cellulite. These patients had a significantly higher starting body mass index (BMI) and had more severe cellulite on average. “Patients” whose cellulite worsened started with a significantly lower BMI, lost smaller amounts of weight, and had no change in percentage of thigh fat.
“There is no answer for completely eliminating cellulite, however, it appears the more weight one loses, the better its appearance,” explains Kitzmiller. “Although the appearance of cellulite diminished for the majority of patients, weight loss did not totally eradicate the condition. The dimples appear to be permanent features that lessen in depth as the pounds come off.”
Cellulite is a huge concern to a growing number of women, while others really couldn’t care less about the superficial dimpling of their subcutaneous fat, moreover it provides yet another example of the medicalisation of a perfectly harmless “condition” as exemplified by the description of “sufferers” as patients. Needless to say the cosmetic industry and plastic surgeons the world over will be rubbing their hands with glee at Kitzmiller’s revelations. Meanwhile, those women who should be reducing their weight for genuine health reasons who are looking for another reason to procrastinate may find the study most useful in providing them with another reason to put off that new fitness regime and low-cal diet.
About David Bradley
Sciencebase FAQ
Click to contact me
Nature Reviews Drug Discovery
Add me on StumbleUpon
Poke me on Facebook
MyBlogLog Profile
View my Flickr photos
Pownce Page
Tumblr Newspage
BloggingZoom
Network with me on LinkedIn
Shout me on Digg
del.icio.us ne.ws
Mellissa said,
August 23, 2006 at 7:23 pm
Many thin women have cellulite. I think that losing weight quickly and without exercise will aggravate the occurrence of this enemy of women.
Mellissa
Gerry said,
September 8, 2006 at 9:51 pm
I was working out all the time and i just couldnt get rid of my cellulite. Well, like most people, I knew about Endermology, but I was just told about this new one at my spa that is endermology but it is much smaller but has the same attatchment. Its called the E-6. So I started the treatments on my things, stomach, and bum and not only is it getting rid of my cellulite but I am actually losing inches too! My body really looks amazing! Anyway, if you want Endermologie, check out some spas and see if they do the treatments. Less expensive than the doctor’s office too.
sciencebase said,
September 11, 2006 at 8:50 am
It’s funny isn’t it how half the spam one receives is about losing inches, and the other about gaining them!
Mary the Spammer said,
December 29, 2007 at 11:07 am
Hello, This is Mary
I am 36 years old with 2 toddlers. My youngest just started day care last week- which still feels a little strange. I haven’t had this much time to myself in years. First thing I want to do is lose the extra pounds I put on during the last pregnancy. One of the girls next door has suggested I join her walking group two days a week. After my first pregnancy I lost around 35 pounds using the Herbalife products, but when I called the man that sold them to me three years ago he told me this week he doesn’t sell them anymore. He told me to look on the internet. It’s disappointing because he was really nice and he called me regularly to make sure I was using their products correctly. It was nice to have someone checking in with me every week to see how I was and it kept me motivated.
I searched on the internet for someone that sells Herbalife in New Jersey. I found many websites but I don’t want
just to buy the products, I want to find someone trustworthy that sells the products so I can also meet them and get started again.
Could anybody here recommend someone in New Brunswick?.
Thanks, Mary The Spammer