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It is a firm belief in the battle against cellulite: lose
weight and you will help rid yourself of the orange peel''
effect. But research published on August 15 suggested that
calorie-counting and chocolate denial -far from improving
the situation - could make cellulite worse for some.
Women who were significantly overweight looked better after
losing a lot of extra fat. But it was women who had less of
a problem who were most atrisk of exacerbating the problem.
The research, published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,
the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic
Surgeons, is based on a study of 29 women who enrolled in
medically supervised weight loss programmes. These included
low-fat meals and the extreme measure of bariatric surgery,
such as gastric bypass and gastric banding. Seventeen of these
patients (58%) experienced an improvement in the appearance
of their cellulite, but nine (31%) saw their condition worsen.
The patients with the biggest improvements were those who
lost the most weight and lowered their percentage of thigh
fat. They also had a higher body mass index (BMI) to begin
with and more severe cellulite.
Patients whose cellulite worsened started with a ``significantly''
lower BMI, lost smaller amounts of weight and had no change
in percentage of thigh fat.
Those whose skin became looser after weight loss - losing
its elasticity- also had worse cellulite. The average weight
loss was 13.8kg. The study concluded that losing weight had
``variable effects'' on the appearance of cellulite.
John Kitzmiller, a plastic surgeon and co-author of the study,
said that approximately 85% of women are affected by cellulite.
Cellulite is not specific to overweight people but excess
weight may worsen the condition.
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.
Source: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/008200608171142.htm
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