'Cankle' Anxiety Grips Body-Conscious

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!" 
(More weight loss stories.)