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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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5

'Cankle' Anxiety Grips Body-Conscious

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(Newser) – Body-conscious Americans have been given a whole new area to fret about about in recent years, the Wall Street Journal reports. "Cankle"—a lower calf too chubby for an ankle to be properly defined—has entered the lexicon in recent years. Gyms, plastic surgeons, and shoe companies have been quick to cash in with offers of ways for the cankle-conscious to either lose or hide the excess flesh.

This summer's fashion for sandals and cropped leggings has caused a surge in cankle anxiety and efforts to combat them, although experts warn that fat deposits are hard to "spot-reduce," even through exercise. Many say women should embrace their chubby ankles rather than struggle with self-esteem issues. "I just have really huge ankles. Really, there are bigger things to worry about," explained the founder of a Facebook group called "Cankles Unite!" 

Gyms and plastic surgeons say they have seen a big rise in customers trying to slim down
Gyms and plastic surgeons say they have seen a big rise in customers trying to slim down "cankles."   (Shutter Stock)
The trend for gladiator-style sandals has caused a rise in effort to battle 'cankles.'
The trend for gladiator-style sandals has caused a rise in effort to battle 'cankles.'   (©irina slutsky)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

It's like the calf merged with the foot, cut out the
middle man. - Actor Jason Alexander's character defines the cankle in Shallow Hal

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5 comments
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TerrifiedCitizen
Jul 23, 09 8:45 AM CDT
I think those sandals in the second photo are nice looking. Reply
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+2
Timinator2K
Jul 23, 09 8:53 AM CDT
Cankle, the Next Frontier of the Plastic Surgeon...hear that Madam Secretary?! Reply
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0
Observer
Jul 23, 09 9:23 AM CDT
Cankles are ugly. I dated a great lady for a year but her cankles were too much. I knew it would never last because of them. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Jul 23, 09 2:25 PM CDT
Oh, let me tell you, cankles are a sure sign of Goddessness. If you broke up with a 'great lady' because of something so minor, you're an ass
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+1
laslow
Jul 23, 09 12:24 PM CDT
Here's an idea: ride a bike. Cankles gone. "Many say women should embrace their chubby ankles rather than struggle with self-esteem issues" What a cop-out. Put in some work and they'll go away. Reply
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+2
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