Now that two-thirds of U.S. residents are overweight or obese, a whole new language has sprung up to describe various fatty body parts. One term you may have heard and, like me, wonder what it meant is “FUPA.” In the vein of college or urban humor (read: funny if you’re in the mood, not funny if it applies to you), FUPA means “fat upper pubic area” or “fat upper pelvic area.” Since both men and women can have FUPAs, sometimes the “P” in FUPA is said to refer to specific genitals of either sex.
The medical term is “panniculus.” It’s derived from the word “pannus,” which refers to a flap, or apron, of hanging tissue. Unwanted tissue can grow over corneas, joint cavities (in rheumatoid arthritis) and artificial heart valves. When a pannus is present on the lower abdomen, it's called a panniculus.
People afflicted with a panniculus are either overweight (usually obese), or their abdomen has shrunk several sizes post-pregnancy or after weight loss. The tissue itself is made up of skin and fat and is graded by degree of severity:
- Grade 1: the panniculus reaches the pubic hair but not the genitals
- Grade 2: the panniculus lies over the genitals down to the thigh crease
- Grade 3: the panniculus reaches down to the upper thigh
- Grade 4: the panniculus hangs down to mid-thigh level
- Grade 5: the panniculus reaches the knees
Yes, in severe cases this apron of skin and fat can reach the knees and beyond. Search Google on the terms “pannus” and “panniculus” and you’ll see.
If you enjoy slightly raunchy humor, you can tune in to various FUPA songs and dances on the Web. Just know that those with a panniculus—especially beyond grades one and two— won’t be amused. Problems stemming from hanging abdominal skin and fat can range from annoying, such as difficulty fitting into clothes, to altering the quality of ones life, such as inability to have sex. Beyond those issues are even more serious problems such as hygiene difficulty (leading to skin infections), chronic infection of the panniculus itself, and, for some, the inability to walk.
Obese people
with a large panniculus should seek medical care.
Comment on this postWe value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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