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 of growing concern to a huge number of women and many consider different ways of reducing it including bariatric surgery or a tummy tuck liposuction procedure, diets and other methods, 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.
It always puzzles me when people remark that massage removes toxins, especially if circular motions are involved, how’s that work then, are you simply squeezing the cells like you might squeeze spots? What toxins in particular are not simply removed by the motion of blood plasma, metabolism by the liver, and filtration in the kidneys? Please expand on your unsubstantiated remark.
Given the number of women desperate to rid themselves of cellulite, there are a slew of anti-cellulite treatments available on the market, many in the form of topical creams and serums. Although some are obviously more effective than others, a Dermatologic Surgery study found that some topical treatments really do reduce the number of fat cells in the skin, thus improving the appearance of cellulite. As Dr. Newburger goes on to say, ‘Cellulite creams work great to pull fluids out of the spaces between cells and induce lipolysis – fat burning in the layer just below the skin’s surface’.
Other benefits of topical treatments include boosting the circulation and, if applied in a circular, massaging motion, encouraging the removal of toxins from the body. Applying the cream to warm, moist skin, for example after exercising or taking a hot shower, also aids in absorption allowing the treatment to get to the problem areas faster.
Interesting post. I think that if women in general knew more about cellulite and were more aware of what it is, then they could use this knowledge to their advantages for weight loss.
@Chidi Thanks for your input Chidi. I have to disagree that there is a “right” and a “wrong” way, although I perhaps get we’re you’re coming from. There are almost as many fad diets as there TV channels and to think that any single approach might be a panacea for the obese descendants of savannah prowling hunter-gatherer apes is a myth.
Yes cellulite can be a major cause of concern for many people especially women. As a reviewer of many weight loss products and a weight loss expert i have helped scores of people lose weight fast and easy. Now losing weight will and will not help you get rid of cellulite. There is a right way to lose weight and a wrong why. If you check out my review site at weightlosssolutionsreviewdotcom. You can review 5 top weight loss diet systems and make an informed choice.