Women: Love handles

Love handles is a lovely name for something that often causes complexes to develop in women and men. These rolls or fat deposits gradually appear on the hips and are generally difficult to get rid of, causing great frustration: our body looks less proportionate and it sometimes stops us from wearing certain types of close-fitting clothes. In fact, there is always a layer of fat under our skin, and its thickness varies from person to person. The fat is made up of adipose cells – or adipocytes – which are specialized in storing fat, and which become larger or smaller depending on energy intake.

If someone has love handles it does not necessarily mean that they are overweight. In fact, it is possible to have a slim, well-proportioned body and have these rolls of fat, even if you do regular physical exercise, eat healthy, well-balanced food or follow diets. Losing weight from your hips and getting rid of love handles has never been easy. But why are these fat deposits on specific areas of the body so stubborn?

The body’s anatomy and genetics play a key role. Firstly, in these areas there is a deeper and more stubborn layer of fat with distinctive characteristics. In some ways, it acts as a type of “reserve” in case the body experiences extreme conditions. Secondly, women are genetically prone to storing excess fat on the lower body, on the buttocks, thighs and hips.