Our obsession with the "thigh gap"
April 19, 2013

Do you have a thigh gap? The term refers to the space visible between the upper thighs when you have your feet together. Don't worry if you don't have one - there are many people who are of a healthy and attractive body size and weight whose thighs touch near the top. However, the "thigh gap" is something many people covet, as proved by the term's trendiness on the popular social network Twitter.
Is the thigh gap healthy?
"I want a thigh gap flat stomach prominent collar and hipbone and skinny arms so bad" tweets one user. Another wonders why she can't "just live in California with a perfect tan, perfect hair" and of course, the thigh gap. You'll see lots of posts like these on Twitter, but you'll also hear plenty of people who discourage such chatter.
"Don't know why everyone raves about a thigh gap. It's nothing special," reads one tweet. A different member on the site reminds us that Beyonce doesn't have a thigh gap, but she's considered by many to be one of the most beautiful celebrities around.
The truth of the matter is, you should be focusing on your overall health rather than comparing your body to others who may have a different bone structure, metabolism or body shape. If you're concerned about your weight, it's always best to consult with a medical professional to discuss your health.
When thigh weight won't go away
If your doctor does advise you to lose some weight, but you find that exercising and diet don't do the trick, it may be time to visit a plastic surgeon. There, you can speak to a board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeon about liposuction, which could help you shed unwanted, but stubborn, fat in various parts of the body, including your thighs.
The mission of the Aesthetic Society includes medical education, public education and patient advocacy. Plastic Surgery News Briefs are summaries of current stories found through various news and magazine outlets that relate to or mention plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures. The views expressed in these news articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Aesthetic Society, but are merely published as an educational service to our members and the general public. For additional information on these subjects and other plastic surgery related topics, please go to www.surgery.org
Related Articles
Latest Articles
ABOUT The Aesthetic Society
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, is recognized as the world's leading organization devoted entirely to aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine of the face and body. The Aesthetic Society is comprised of over 2,600 Plastic Surgeons; Active Members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (USA) or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and have extensive training in the complete spectrum of surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic procedures. International Active Members are certified by equivalent boards of their respective countries. All members worldwide adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must meet stringent membership requirements.
WE ARE AESTHETICS
- Follow The Aesthetic Society on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheAestheticSoc
- Become a fan of The Aesthetic Society on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AestheticSociety
- Check us out on Instagram: www.instagram.com/theaestheticsoc
- Check out our consumer-facing website: www.smartbeautyguide.com
- Locate a plastic surgeon in your area: www.smartbeautyguide.com/select-surgeon