Although not always visible, fat deposits in the armpit area can cause some people to feel insecure. Anyone, including those with a thin body, can develop armpit fat. What causes fat deposits in the armpits, and how do you fix them? Let's take a look at the following article:.
Causes of fat accumulation in the armpit
The underarm area is often a beauty problem for many people. Aside from dark armpits and odor, fat accumulation in the armpit area can also contribute to a lack of confidence. Fat accumulation in the armpits is typically only visible when wearing sleeveless tops. Although rarely seen, fat in the underarm area can make it difficult for people to choose clothes.
Fat accumulation in the arms and armpits is perfectly normal. Some factors that cause fat accumulation in the armpits are:
Genetic factors
Genetic factors affect how your body stores and spreads fat. If you have a family history of underarm fat accumulation, you are more likely to develop the condition. Underarm fat accumulation is also more common in women, but it can occur in anyone.
Weight factor
People who are overweight or obese tend to accumulate fat in their armpits.
Hormones
Hormonal changes during puberty, menstruation, and menopause can cause the breasts to enlarge, making the chest appear fuller and fat accumulation in the armpits more noticeable.
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Axillary breast tissue
Excess breast tissue, also known as axillary breast tissue, can manifest as underarm fat. This condition is rare and is generally only experienced by 2–6% of women or 1–3% of men.
Posture
Poor posture can make underarm fat more noticeable. For example, people with a hunched shoulder posture are more likely to have underarm fat than those who are well-built.
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Exercises to reduce underarm fat
An effective way to deal with underarm fat is to lose weight, maintain a healthy diet, and do regular exercise. To camouflage underarm fat, you can wear bras or underwear that can suppress fat in the area.
Some exercise options for reducing underarm fat include the following:
Push ups
This movement activates multiple muscles at once, including those in the upper arms, shoulders, and chest. Begin by lying prone on the floor and positioning your hands slightly wider than your shoulders. Gaze straight down and extend your legs backward in a tiptoe position. Push your body to the floor with your arms, and then lift it back up. Repeat a few times.
Cat-cow
The cat-cow position works the back, abdomen, and chest muscles. The trick is to position the body on all fours on a yoga mat. The hands support the shoulders, while the knees are under the hips. Push the spine up into an arch (cat position), then push down until the midsection drops and the abdomen curves toward the floor. Repeat a few times.
Chest press
Strength exercises like the chest press can help build the underarm muscles. Lie on the mat with each hand holding dumbbells. Lift the dumbbells until the hands are straight, then return the hands to the right and left sides of the body, respectively. Repeat a few times.
Downward-facing dog
This pose targets the upper limbs, specifically the arms, chest, and abdomen. Kneel on the mat and place your hands shoulder-width apart. Hold the body with your hands; the head should be aligned with a straight back, and your body will form a triangle. Hold this position for a few minutes and repeat several times.
Underarm fat can be removed with exercise and diet. If you need diet advice, you should consult a nutritionist or a doctor.
If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- Sean Edbert Lim, MBBS
Silver, N. (2023). Cardio and Weights to Tone Underarms. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/underarm-fat
Whelan, C. (2021). What Causes Armpit Fat?. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/what-causes-armpit-fat#
Rail, K. (2023). The 9 Best Exercises to Get Rid of Armpit Fat. Available from: https://www.livestrong.com/article/185825-exercises-to-get-rid-of-armpit-fat/
Galic, B. (2023). The 6 Best Exercises to Tone Your Underarms. Available from: https://www.livestrong.com/article/13775377-exercises-for-underarm-fat/