Based on analysis of 635,000 monthly searches on fat and weight loss, the new Protealpes study reveals:
- the geography of our body concerns in France
- a constant search for quick, effortless results, which accounts for 14.7% of searches
The belly: the absolute obsession of the French
The desire to lose belly fat dominates massively, with 75,905 monthly searches, or nearly 30% of total volume.
This area crystallizes 3 major complexes/objectives:
- aesthetic (flat stomach)
- functional (abdominal)
- health (digestion).
Combinations of belly and other areas reveal different approaches:
- Belly + thighs (850 searches): the "bikini body" silhouette
- Belly + hips (540 searches): the quest for the wasp waist
- Belly + arms (30 searches): the "upper body" approach
Top 10 most sought-after body zones
Monthly search volume by body zone - 2025 data
The "effortless" seasonal effect is particularly marked for this area: 21.3% of searches for the tummy include terms of ease, reflecting the persistent hope of miracle solutions before summer.
The quest for "effortless" results
In recent years, fitness trends have focused on efficiency and rapid results.
One example is the growing popularity of HIIT (high-intensity interval training) since 2010, which promises results in the shortest possible time.
Today, 14.7% of weight/fat loss research includes a focus on speed or effortless results.
Share of "fast/effortless" searches by zone
Percentage of searches including facility terms by body zone
Beware: starting out with a view to quick results often leads to behaviours that are dangerous to the body in the short or long term.
The figures reveal a worrying level of desperation among more than 20,000 people a month who are prepared to put themselves at risk for unrealistic goals.
A second Protéalpes study revealed that 3.72% of searches "to lose weight" and 20% of searches "to lose weight effortlessly" involve risk-taking.
Examples of risky searches include: vomit to lose weight, laxative to lose weight, pill to lose weight...
Distribution of "lose weight" searches by effort and risk
Percentage of monthly searches by category - France 2025
Implicit gender differences
The study of thighs (20,141 searches) and buttocks (1,561 searches) reveals an interesting gendered fact.
Traditionally "feminine" areas (buttocks, hips, thighs) show higher "fast" search rates.
This trend suggests a particularly strong aesthetic pressure on these body parts, amplified by social networking trends.
The same trend applies to zone combinations:
- Thighs + hips: 41.2% of "effortless" searches
- Belly + thighs: 50% of "effortless" searches
Neglected areas vs. obsessive areas
The analysis reveals a clear hierarchy of concerns and efforts that the French are willing to make to achieve their goals:
Areas of obsession (>20% "effortless") :
- Belly + thighs (50%)
- Love handles (36.8%)
- Buttocks (31.7%)
Zones fonctionnelles (<20% “sans effort”) :
- Back (5.3%): medical approach
- Legs (12.9%): seeking performance
- Arms (16.7%): traditional muscle work
This dichotomy reveals two aspects of fitness in France: appearance (search for ease) and performance (acceptance of effort).
With 57,488 searches, "body in general" shows a growing maturity. 20.4% of "effortless" terms - a moderate rate - suggest a more realistic approach to overall fitness.
These data paint a picture of a society seeking immediate control over its body.
The extraordinary correlation between "visible zones" and "effortless searches" (stomach, thighs, love handles) versus functional zones (back, legs) reveals an approach to fitness that is still very much aesthetic rather than health and "wellness".
