Have you heard the acronym FUPA and wondered to yourself: What the heck is a FUPA?! Well, you’re not alone. If you’re not up on the latest slang, you may have missed out on this fairly modern acronym, which stands for Fat Upper Pubic Area.
No, I’m not joking. That’s actually what it means.
The FUPA refers to a layer of fat in the area north of the pubic region and south of the abdomen. But it’s not just urban dictionary slang — there’s also a medical name for it. According to healthline, “panniculus” is the official medical term for excess fat over the area right between your hips and above your pubic bone
Where did the term FUPA originate?
Well, I don’t know who originally coined the term, but I do know who made it mainstream famous.
In September 2018, Beyoncé was featured on the cover of Vogue. In the interview inside, she shared a lot of information about her transition to motherhood and the impact of her pregnancy and delivery on her body and her health.
Then, Queen B herself dropped the term in a worldwide fashion publication and, ta-da! FUPA had arrived on the national stage.
Beyonce said,
“To this day my arms, shoulders, breasts, and thighs are fuller… I have a little mommy pouch, and I’m in no rush to get rid of it. I think it’s real. Whenever I’m ready to get a six-pack, I will go into beast zone and work my (butt) off until I have it. But right now, my little FUPA and I feel like we are meant to be.”
Score one for Beyoncé and Team Body Positivity!
How exactly does one get a FUPA?
Everyone gains weight differently, and some women are just more prone to gaining weight in that no-man’s land between the belly button and the pelvis.
Still, the most likely FUPA culprit is pregnancy. As many women are somewhat painfully aware, pregnancy changes the whole body, especially the abdominal and pelvic regions. After the muscles stretch out, they don’t always return to their previous location or condition.
Can you get rid of a FUPA?
Sometimes. Diet and exercise that eliminates body fat overall can reduce the layer of fat in the FUPA region. However, it can be difficult to spot-target this area with toning exercises. Still, some exercises that tone the Tranversus Abdominis may reduce the appearance of a FUPA.
(That’s also an area many women focus on to repair diastasis recti — another frequent postpartum body condition).
Beyond diet and exercise, the only remaining option is cosmetic surgery like an abdominoplasty (also called a “tummy tuck”).
Of course, a FUPA is harmless, so if it’s not bothering you, it’s perfectly fine to leave it as-is. After all, if it’s good enough for Beyoncé. . .