Weight loss can help to reduce cellulite in some women, although it can actually worsen the condition in others, a study has found.
Patients who start off with a higher body mass index (BMI) and lose a larger amount of weight tend to achieve the greatest improvement in cellulite, while those who initially have a lower BMI and lose less weight commonly have more cellulite.
Approximately 85 per cent of women are affected by cellulite, according to Dr John Kitzmiller, co-author of the study, which features in August's issue of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal.
Dr Kitzmiller, who is a member surgeon of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), commented: "Cellulite is not specific to overweight people, but excess weight may worsen the condition."
The study involved 29 women, all of whom were participating in medically supervised
weight loss programmes, such as low-fat meals, medication and
obesity surgery.
"We found that weight loss in overweight patients improved the appearance of cellulite but, for a few, it actually worsened the condition," revealed Dr Kitzmiller.
Seventeen of the patients found that their cellulite had improved with weight loss, while nine experienced a worsening of the condition, even though they had lost weight.
In addition, the study found that those patients whose skin became significantly looser following weight loss experienced a worsening of their cellulite.
"Although the appearance of cellulite diminished for the majority of patients, weight loss did not totally eradicate the condition," the surgeon added.
"The dimples appear to be permanent features that lessen in depth as the pounds come off."
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Obesity treatment news : 17/08/2006
