Quick Answers
What is cellulite? How do I get rid of the cellulite that is accumulating on the backs of my thighs?
Fat cells are stored in small compartments separated by
connective tissue. Cellulite is enlarged fat cells that
bulge out of their compartments and push into the skin
causing a bumpy appearance. Cellulite is not a special
type of fat. It does not differ from other types of fat.
Women are more likely to develop cellulite because
they have more irregular patterns of connective tissue
than men. You don't have to be overweight to have
cellulite. In fact, many very lean women suffer from the
so-called "cottage cheese" syndrome.
Exercise and dietary changes can help reduce the
appearance of cellulite but it may never entirely
disappear. There have been attempts to eliminate the
appearance of cellulite by using various
over-the-counter creams. Skin creams may decrease the
appearance of cellulite by causing the skin to swell but
the effect is minimal and non-lasting.
Stephen D. Ball, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri Extension
Jo Britt-Rankin, Ph.D., Associate Dean, State Specialist, Associate Professor, College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri Extension
Candance Gabel, M.S. R.D., Assistant Program Director, College of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Missouri Extension
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Last update: Thursday, December 04, 2008
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