Cellulite in women is a common — even ordinary — phenomenon, affecting 80 to 90% of them. It is far rarer, however, to see cellulite in children or teenagers. That said, between the rise in childhood obesity and increasingly early puberty, it is becoming more and more common to notice the premature appearance of cellulite in young girls. So how is this possible? And more importantly, what can be done about it?
Adipose tissue in children
At birth, every child has adipose tissue, accounting for around 15% of their total body mass. This is entirely normal — every individual is born with a “reserve” of fat, which provides the body with:
- An energy reserve
- Thermal insulation
- Optimal functioning of vital processes, as certain fat cells can transform into muscle or bone cells
Children therefore have a certain number of pre-adipocyte cells, which remains stable during the first year — these cells do not multiply, they simply grow larger (hypertrophy). From that point until adolescence, they multiply continuously (hyperplasia). It is at puberty that their number “explodes”, driven by sex hormones — testosterone in boys, oestrogen in girls.
Oestrogen stimulates the development of subcutaneous fat (adipogenesis) in the chest, hips,buttocks andthighs, while testosterone and androgens encourage the development of adipocytes in the abdominal area.
It is therefore during this pivotal moment thatcellulite is likely to appear — and young girls will be more prone to it than youngboys. This can be explained by several factors:
- A pubescent girl is capable of reproduction. The female body is naturally designed to “build up fat reserves” in preparation for a potential pregnancy.
- The structure of adipose tissue differs between girls and boys, which is why cellulite is visible in women.
- Girls have a higher number of adipocytes.
- Boys have thicker skin.
At what age does cellulite appear in teenagers?
There is no universal answer to this question. 90% of women have cellulite, but it will not be visible in all women at a predetermined age. Everything depends on:
- Hereditary factors: if the young girl’s mother (or grandmother) experienced “juvenile” cellulite, there is a strong chance the same will happen to her (thanks, Mum!). The same applies tovenous and lymphatic insufficiency, which is a contributing factor to cellulite.
- Hormonal activity: this varies from person to person. But if a young girl experiences significanthormonal fluctuations, with pronounced oestrogen peaks, she will be more prone to developing cellulite.
- Diet: a diet high insugar, saturated fats andsalt can have a significant impact on the body, even in teenagers. An overly rich and unbalanced diet can lead to the development of cellulite (adipose cellulite from excess sugar and fat,water-retention cellulite from excess salt).
- Physical activity: a sedentary lifestyle is a contributing factor to excess weight and cellulite, in teenagers just as much as in adults.
Cellulite is therefore amultifactorialphenomenon — whether you are a young girl or a grown woman!
How to address cellulite in children?
1- Diet
First and foremost — without being overly restrictive with the child — it is important to rebalance their diet. If eating habits are chaotic, with an abundance of saturated fats and sugar, it is essential to course-correct as early as possible. This matters all the more because healthy eating habits formed in childhood tend to carry through into adulthood. Without creating too much frustration, it is important to offer children and teenagers adiet that is varied, supports their growth and helps maintain a healthy weight:
- Fruit and vegetables at every meal
- Dairy products, which contribute to healthy bone development
- Complex carbohydrates, for energy and cognitive health
- Protein, to support muscle development
- Iron-rich foods, as 25% of girls who have started their periods are anaemic
- Hydration based primarily onwater
The occasional sweet treat or burger is not going to trigger cellulite! The key is simply to ensure thatfast food, nutritionally poor foods (ready meals, white bread, chocolate spread…) and sugary drinks do not become a child’s daily staple. This helps prevent an increase in the number of adipocytes and, in turn, reduces the risk of excess weight and cellulite.
2- Exercise
It is important for teenagers to engage in regular physical activity.Sport allows children to:
- Develop their motor skills: coordination, balance and flexibility.
- Strengthen their heart, respiratory capacity and bone density.
- Prevent excess weight and, in young girls, the premature appearance of cellulite.
- Support their mental and emotional wellbeing.
It is therefore advisable to guide your child towards sport — helping them find an activity they enjoy and in which they can truly thrive.
3- Hormonal balance
In the case of young girls, it is essential to wait until growth is complete — meaning until puberty has run its course — before addressing the possible appearance of cellulite. Until hormonal balance is achieved, it is difficult to make any assessment or decide on an “anti-cellulite action plan”. Once hormonal balance is established — with a relatively stable menstrual cycle — a conversation with a GP, or even a first visit to a gynaecologist, can be considered. A healthcare professional will be best placed to assess the state of the cellulite (if present) or to suggest ways to limit its development.