The colloquial term “love handles” refers to the excess adipose tissue that accumulates around the sides of the waist and above the hips. This common area of fat storage is technically known as the flank, and its appearance is a manifestation of the body storing surplus energy. The accumulation of this tissue is determined by a complex interplay of genetics, hormones, and overall energy balance.
Defining the Flank: Location and Type of Fat Tissue
The fat that forms the visible “love handles” is anatomically located on the flanks, extending from the sides of the abdomen to the lower back, often overlying the oblique muscles. This specific accumulation is primarily subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), meaning it lies just beneath the skin and can be easily grasped or “pinched.” Subcutaneous fat serves as a stable energy reserve and is considered less metabolically active than other forms of body fat. It is important to distinguish this from visceral adipose tissue (VAT), which is located deeper within the abdominal cavity, surrounding the internal organs. Visceral fat does not make up the “love handle” itself, but its presence often correlates with increased subcutaneous flank fat, making the overall waistline larger.
Biological Drivers of Fat Accumulation in the Midsection
The deposition of fat in the midsection is governed by individual genetic programming and hormonal signaling. A person’s genetic makeup largely dictates their body type, influencing whether fat is preferentially stored in an “apple” shape (central abdomen) or a “pear” shape (hips and thighs). Even with an overall energy surplus, the body will route the excess energy to these predetermined storage sites.
Hormones play a significant role in determining where this storage occurs. The stress hormone cortisol, when consistently elevated, promotes the storage of fat, particularly in the central abdominal area. This is compounded by insulin, a hormone that drives the storage of sugar into cells and promotes the conversion of excess glucose into fat.
Sex hormones also influence the pattern of fat distribution across the lifespan. Estrogen in premenopausal women typically directs fat storage toward the gluteofemoral region, resulting in a “pear” shape. Conversely, men tend to accumulate more abdominal fat due to the influence of testosterone. After menopause, the drop in estrogen levels often leads women to adopt a fat storage pattern similar to men, with increased central and visceral accumulation.
Health Significance of Excess Abdominal Fat
While the subcutaneous fat of the “love handles” is a stable energy store, its presence indicates a broader metabolic profile. When fat is stored centrally, it often signals elevated levels of the more hazardous visceral fat. Visceral fat is metabolically active and secretes pro-inflammatory molecules, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), directly into the portal circulation, which goes to the liver.
This inflammatory signaling is linked to serious health issues, including chronic systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and the development of type 2 diabetes. Excess abdominal fat is also strongly associated with cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Health professionals use waist circumference as a screening tool to estimate visceral fat and assess this risk. A measurement exceeding 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women indicates a higher health risk due to central obesity.
Understanding Fat Metabolism and Spot Reduction
A common misconception is that exercising the muscles underneath the “love handles,” such as the obliques, will specifically burn the fat in that area, a concept known as “spot reduction.” Scientific consensus confirms that this is not how fat metabolism works, as the body does not draw energy from the fat cells immediately adjacent to a working muscle.
When an energy deficit is created through diet and exercise, the body mobilizes stored fat globally from reserves all over the body. This process, called lipolysis, converts stored triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol, which are then released into the bloodstream. These circulating fatty acids travel to the muscles to be used as fuel. Therefore, reducing flank fat requires a sustained caloric deficit to lower overall body fat percentage.