The term “love handles” is a common, non-medical description for the soft deposits of fat that accumulate around the sides and back of the waist, often referred to as the flank area. This prominent tissue is primarily adipose tissue, not muscle, and serves as a common place for the body to store excess energy.
Identifying the Tissue in the Flank Area
The tissue that forms a “love handle” is specifically categorized as subcutaneous adipose tissue, meaning it is body fat stored directly beneath the skin. This fat is distinct from the deeper visceral fat that surrounds the internal organs within the abdominal cavity. While both types of fat contribute to overall midsection size, the visible, pinchable tissue on the sides is the subcutaneous layer.
This tissue functions as a storage depot for potential energy, insulation, and organ cushioning. The size of this area results from the expansion of fat cells, or adipocytes, which grow and shrink based on the body’s energy balance.
The Core Muscles Beneath the Surface
Directly beneath the layer of subcutaneous fat and connective tissue in the flank area are several layers of functional muscle that make up the core. These muscles are the structures the fat rests upon. The three main muscles that form the sides and deeper layer of the abdominal wall are the external obliques, the internal obliques, and the transversus abdominis.
The External Obliques are the most superficial of the side abdominal muscles, lying just under the fat layer, and their fibers run downward and inward. They work to rotate the trunk to the opposite side and assist with lateral flexion, which is bending the torso sideways.
Underneath the external obliques are the Internal Obliques, whose fibers run in the opposite direction, upward and inward, perpendicular to the external layer. These two oblique layers work together to stabilize the torso and produce powerful twisting movements. The internal oblique contracts to rotate the trunk to the same side.
The deepest of the flat abdominal muscles is the Transversus Abdominis (TrA), which wraps horizontally around the midsection like a natural corset. This muscle does not primarily produce movement, but it plays a significant role in stabilizing the trunk and maintaining intra-abdominal pressure. The TrA is a foundational muscle of the core, protecting the spine and aiding in forced exhalation.
Biological Reasons for Fat Storage in the Midsection
Fat accumulation in the midsection, including the flanks, is governed by a complex interplay of genetics, hormones, and lifestyle factors. Genetics significantly predispose individuals to store fat in specific patterns, meaning some people are naturally more inclined to accumulate fat around the abdomen and hips than others.
Hormonal fluctuations exert a strong influence on where the body deposits fat. Cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, promotes fat deposition, particularly in the abdominal region when levels are chronically elevated. Changes in sex hormones also affect fat patterning throughout life.
In women, a decrease in estrogen levels, such as during and after menopause, often leads to a shift from a “pear-shaped” fat distribution (hips and thighs) to a more “apple-shaped” distribution (abdomen and waist). For men, testosterone levels, which naturally decline with age, are also associated with changes that favor increased abdominal fat storage. Hormones like insulin control how and where energy is stored, and imbalances can lead to increased fat accumulation around the abdominal area.