Let's Talk About Cankles

You know the term "cankles," right? They're described as "chubby ankles" or calves that stretch down to the ankle region without much definition. One major nationwide gym is waging war on cankles, and here's why it kind of bugs me...

Gold's Gym has designated July as "Cankle Awareness Month." According to their Web site: "The word comes from the combination of 'calf' and 'ankle.' It occurs when the calf merges with an obese or swollen ankle."

Gold's claims that cankles are the "fastest growing aesthetic affliction in the United States"--even more than muffin tops and saddle bags. "Millions of people across the country are currently affected by cankles and millions more are at risk," they write on their "Say No to Cankles" Web site. "In fact, it is estimated that if current trends continue, by the year 2012 Cankles will surpass Love Handles as the number one aesthetic affliction in the world."

Guess the country where men prefer size-14 women...

A clever marketing ploy? Yes. But let's be real here: There is no real scientific evidence that cankles will take over the world by 2012. I agree that anything to help fight obesity is a great thing. But here's the rub: What about people who are pretty much fit, yet still have cankles, or just ankles that are a tad bit "thick"? I know a woman who is as fit as they come--runs five miles a day, has toned arms and great abs--and yet her ankles are a little on the thick side. That's just the way her legs look, and no amount of exercise is going to change that.

So here's my question: Is this campaign a bit too harsh, especially when you consider that some people simply can't change the shape of their ankles?