Any body type can have an apron belly as apron belly is not tied to one specific body type.
People that are overweight are more likely to have an apron belly, but even skinny people and people with normal weight can have an apron belly.
An apron belly is when you have excess skin and fat hanging from your lower abdomen, which resembles an apron.
Apron belly's can occur after pregnancy, major weight loss or even aging.
The apron belly can also range from a small fold to hanging over your thighs or knees and the apron belly can cause issues with hygiene and even potential health risks.
Solutions for fixing apron belly increase shapeware, lifestyle changes and even surgery like a panniculectomy procedure for severe cases.
The apron belly is essentially a sagging fold of skin and fat "pannus" below the waistline, and its technically known as abdominal pannus.
The apron belly hangs from your lower belly, often over your pubic area, and can also extend to your upper thighs or even your knees in severe cases, which is known as panniculus morbidus.
Apron belly is different from regular belly fat as apron belly involves significant excess skin that does not retract, unlike the typical abdominal fat in belly fat.
Common causes of apron belly are genetics, aging, significant weight loss and pregnancy.
During pregnancy the skin and muscles stretch significantly to accommodate the growing baby, which can lead to apron belly.
When you have significant weight loss, your skin also loses elasticity and does not fully shrink back after the substantial weight loss.
And aging causes loss of skin elasticity and weakened abdominal muscles, which can also contribute to apron belly.
And a predisposition to store fat in your lower abdomen due to genetics can also cause apron belly.
Apron belly can cause skin irritation, mobility issues and even underlying health risks can be a concern with apron belly.
Apron belly can sometimes be associated with metabolic issues like diabetes and heart disease, especially if the apron belly is linked to extreme obesity of a BMI of >40).
Having apron belly and a large pannus can also restrict your movement.
And the folds in apron belly can also trap in moisture, leading to infections, rashes or ulcers.
Eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, low in sugar and bad fats and regular exercise like squats, walking or planks can also reduce visceral fat but might not eliminate loose skin.
Shapewear with firm compression cam also help smooth the appearance of apron belly and provide support and for significant excess tissue in apron belly, surgery such as a tummy tuck can be used or even a panniculectomy to remove the pannus can be a permanent fix to apron belly.