Cellulite is a condition that causes the skin in certain regions of the body to take on a dimpled appearance, often compared with the surface of an orange peel. This condition most commonly appears in women on the upper thighs and buttocks. In men, cellulite is less frequently noticed because it appears most often around the waist and abdomen.
The Cause of Cellulite
The dimpled skin texture that characterizes cellulite is due to the presence of a layer of fat accumulating under the skin and pushing up against strands of connective tissue fibers that anchor the skin to the muscle layer underneath. The dimples appear at the points where the connective tissue adhesions prevent the skin from being pushed out by the accumulating fat. As with many characteristics that vary from person to person, there are differences in the length of these adhesions among people giving those with the shortest adhesions the greatest tendency for developing cellulite.
Why is Cellulite More Prominent in Women
Cellulite is generally thought to be a condition more frequently found in women and there is some truth to this. The female hormone estrogen secreted by the ovaries stimulates the storage of subcutaneous fat. With much lower levels of circulating estrogen, men generally have a much thinner layer of subcutaneous fat and, therefore, less tendency to show cellulite. The prominent hormone circulating in men is testosterone, which stimulates the production of proteins. Because of this, men tend to have more dense layers of protein-rich connective tissue within their skin, leading to an overall thicker skin layer. This also reduces the tendency to develop cellulite.
Differences in Cellulite Distribution
Male pattern fat deposits tend to accumulate most frequently in the abdominal region and just above the waist, giving slightly overweight men their characteristic love handles and pot bellies. This accumulation of fat around the midsection gives overweight men a body shape this is characteristic of an apple, where the largest circumference occurs in the middle. Female pattern fat deposits appear on the hips, thighs and buttocks, giving slightly overweight women what is referred to as a pear shape, a fruit in which the largest diameter occurs toward the bottom.
Dieting to Eliminate Cellulite
Reducing body fat through diet and exercise are surefire ways to help get your cellulite under control. Many fat reducing diets work, and one example is provided in the Resources section.
Exercises to Reduce Cellulite
Adding activities that help to burn calories and tone the underlying muscle can help to reduce cellulite. Spot exercises intended for those areas where cellulite appears generally will not work. The best results will be achieved with whole-body aerobic activities and a general program of resistance training. Specific exercise recommendations can be found in the Resources section.
References
- "Exercise Science: Understanding and Evaluating Physical Fitness and Health"; Warren Rosenberg and Ciaran Cullen; 2008
- "Exercise and Cellulite"; The American Council on Exercise Fit Facts; 2006
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