Obesity
Problem areas where fat settles and is hard to budge, such as on the stomach, arms and thighs, are a common complaint of women, whatever their size and shape.
Other areas high on the list of Britain's biggest body hang-ups were saddlebags (where fat sticks to the outer thighs) and muffin tops (where fat creates a slight overhang roll on the stomach).
Results from LoveLite cosmetic clinic reflect the changing body shape of British women. The ‘apple’ body, which results in a flabby middle as weight settles on the stomach area whilst leaving arms and legs fairly slim, is an increasingly common body type in the UK. With celebrities, like Cameron Diaz and Frankie Sandford, often pictured parading their toned, washboard stomachs, it seems this has left British women more self-conscious of their middles than ever.
Indeed Frankie’s bandmate Mollie King has in the past admitted: “I’m very self conscious in a bikini and I would never get my tummy out onstage."
Additionally MIC’s Binky Felstead has also spoken out about her body insecurities, revealing she doesn’t like her “tummy and love handles” and is currently undergoing sessions of non-invasive fat reduction treatment, Lipoglaze, to help with shifting the weight on these areas.
A pear shaped body, where fat heads to the lower half and leaves women with bigger hips and thighs, is also common and is likely to contribute to the thigh area coming second in the women’s biggest body hang-ups poll.
Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe is a classic example of the pear shape, and had a non-invasive procedure in 2010 to try and overcome her body insecurities.
Jennifer is not alone, as celebrities from Cheryl Cole to Jessica Alba have admitted insecurities about their legs, Cheryl saying: “I don't like my legs. I haven't got much of them for a start. If I was dressing myself I'd probably cover them up".
Katherine Heigal has even gone so far to admit: “I always complexed about my thighs. I think they're very fat. This is the only part of my body which I have no control of. My thighs are my obsession.”
Lovelite's Lipoglaze really could be the solution to Britain's body anxieties. The non-invasive procedure is able to target stubborn areas of fat by freezing fat cells and so allow customers to pinpoint particular hang-ups. The most popularly targeted area is on the stomach and sides of the torso with 67% of their customers requesting this.
Donnamarie McBride, co-founder of the Lovelite clinic said: “We’ve noticed for a long time that women are self-conscious of their hips and want to lose their lovehandles. Fat on the hips can be the most noticeable, and is hard to disguise if trying to keep up with the latest fashion for skinny jeans and body con dresses.
“Women will always focus on parts of their body that they don’t like, it’s almost in our DNA to obsess over these things. Lipoglaze is designed to target specific areas that the customer chooses, it's a great tool as often weightloss through diet and exercise can make you lose weight from areas you're less concerned about. Lipoglaze is non-invasive alternative to liposuction and helps women target and thus overcome their body insecurities - the area might even become their favourite part of their body after treatment.”
It's comforting to hear that even the most body-confident celebrities have parts of their form that they don't like.
Even Elle ’The Body’ Macpherson is not immune to insecurities about her figure, admitting: “It's taken me a long time to feel good about my body. Just like everyone, and despite my nickname, I have felt unhappy in my skin.”
And Kelly Brook, who is regularly voted as having the best bikini body by both men and women, confessed to her body concern: “My arms are a bit wobbly.”
Equally praised for her bikini body Kim Kardashian, despite admitting to body issues, is still able to focus on the positives saying: “I’ve never been a big fan of my thighs, but I do love my stomach when it’s in shape.”