Myth: Lipedema is responsible for weight gain
The Myth Explained
Many women with lipedema are told that their condition is responsible for their overall weight gain. Because the disorder is associated with disproportionate fat deposition on the legs and sometimes arms, it is easy to assume that lipedema itself is the cause of broader obesity.
This myth is reinforced by:
- The frequent co-occurrence of lipedema and obesity
- The frustration many patients feel when weight gain is resistant to dieting
- Online sources that conflate lipedema with metabolic disease
But in reality, lipedema is not responsible for general body weight increase. The relationship is more nuanced.
The Facts
1. Lipedema is not the cause of general obesity
According to the S2k Guideline on lipedema (2024):
“lipedema is not responsible for obesity, although obesity and lipedema frequently occur together.” (S2k Guideline, 2024, Section 2.7, paraphrased)
The guideline distinguishes between the localised, painful fat deposition characteristic of lipedema and generalised fat gain seen in obesity.
2. Obesity is common in women with lipedema
Clinical experience supports that most women with lipedema are also overweight or obese. In one large outpatient cohort at the Földi Clinic, 88% of women diagnosed with lipedema were obese (BMI >30) (Bertsch & Erbacher, 2018).
But this does not mean lipedema caused the obesity. Instead, it highlights how frequently the two conditions coexist.
3. Weight gain worsens lipedema symptoms
While lipedema does not cause weight gain, weight gain exacerbates lipedema symptoms. The Forner-Cordero (2025) cohort study confirmed:
“Progression was related to abdominal fat increase, evaluated as waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). When the patient gained abdominal fat, the volume of their lower limb also increased.” (Forner-Cordero I, Muñoz-Langa J. Is lipedema a progressive disease? Vascular Medicine, 2025)
This means that maintaining a healthy waist-to-height ratio (<0.5) can stabilise symptoms and reduce progression.
4. Dieting alone is not the solution — but lifestyle matters
Repeated restrictive dieting is unhelpful and can contribute to yo-yo weight gain. Instead, guidelines recommend:
- Sustainable, balanced nutrition
- Regular physical activity adapted to joint and pain tolerance
- Multimodal care including compression and psychological support
These approaches improve quality of life, regardless of weight change.
Q&A for Patients
Does lipedema make me gain weight?
No. lipedema causes disproportionate fat on the legs or arms, but it does not cause overall weight gain.Why do so many women with lipedema also have obesity?
Because both conditions are common, they often coexist. But one does not directly cause the other.Will losing weight help?
Yes — healthy weight management, particularly keeping abdominal fat low, can improve symptoms and prevent worsening. But crash diets and strict restrictions are not recommended since they often lead to the yoyo effect.If you have lipedema and struggle with weight, it’s not your fault or personal failure — and lipedema itself is not the cause. What you can do is focus on healthy habits that support your whole body:
- Movement you enjoy
- Food that nourishes you
- Care strategies that reduce pain
You don’t deserve blame or myths that add guilt to your journey — you deserve compassionate, evidence-based care.
Futher Reading for Healthcare Professionals
From the ILA Co-Presidents
“As ILA, we stand for providing evidence-based information to support healthcare professionals and women with lipedema in achieving the best possible diagnosis and treatment. We are committed to dispelling misinformation, and we encourage open dialogue that reflects diverse perspectives to move science forward.”
– Ad Hendrickx and Gabriele Erbacher, ILA Co-Presidents, September, 2025.