An integral absorbent article (10), has a longitudinal article length (26) and a lateral article width (24). An absorbent composite (32) has first and second longitudinally opposed end regions (78 and 79), and has laterally opposed side regions (80). The absorbent composite also includes a first longitudinally terminal end edge (82). The absorbent composite (32) includes a substantially liquid-impermeable backsheet layer (30), a substantially liquid permeable topsheet layer (28), and a retention portion (48) which is sandwiched between the backsheet and topsheet layers. The article includes at least one, first body panel (52) having a body side surface (54), an outward surface (56), and a panel length (58) which is less than the article length (26). The first body panel (52) also includes a first, outboard terminal end edge (60), and a second, relatively inboard terminal end edge (62). In desired configurations, the first, outboard terminal end edge (60) can be substantially coterminous with a first terminal end edge of the article. An expandable attachment section (90) is joined along at least a portion of each side region (80) of the absorbent composite (32) in the first end region (78) of the absorbent composite. Each expandable attachment section (90) is extendible at least outwardly or at least along the article width (24), and each expandable attachment section is configured to secure its correspondingly joined side edge region of the absorbent composite to the outward surface (56) of the first body panel (52).