A woman's big hips are caused by a combination of genetics, hormones (especially estrogen during puberty), and evolutionary factors related to childbirth, leading to a wider, flatter pelvis and fat storage in the hips and thighs for reproduction, creating a distinct female body shape.
Hormones drive the deposition of fat around the pelvis, buttocks, and thighs of women and the bellies of men. For women, this so-called sex-specific fat appears to be physiologically advantageous, at least during pregnancies. But it has a cosmetic down-side as well, in the form of cellulite.
Some familiar examples of these body types are:
When you hit puberty, estrogen causes you to develop what's referred to as secondary sex characteristics: Your breasts develop, your hips widen, and you grow pubic hair and armpit hair.
Higher hip circumference – unlike waist circumference – is in fact protective against metabolic disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease and can also reflect greater muscle mass. “We knew that higher hip circumference was protective against metabolic diseases such as diabetes as well as death.
Body Shapes with the Highest Risk of Health Problems
Apple and pear body shapes tend to have the highest risk. Apples tend to be at greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, and strokes because they hold a larger amount of tummy fat.
Using CT scans, they determined that the width of people's pelvises continued to grow after skeletal maturity was reached at age 20. Specifically, the pelvic inlet widened–evidence of actual pelvic growth.
Hormonal imbalances show up as symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, weight changes, irregular periods, skin issues (acne), hair changes, sleep problems, brain fog, low libido, digestive issues, and temperature sensitivity, affecting energy, body functions, and mental well-being, often linked to stress, thyroid, or reproductive hormones.
Weight gain around the hips and buttocks. Estrogen is the hormone that promotes the body composition and shape that is classically associated with the female form: wider hips, larger buttocks, and breasts. Estrogen “encourages” fat deposition in these areas. This is not inherently a bad thing.
The rarest female body type is generally considered the hourglass, characterized by shoulders and hips of similar width with a significantly narrower, defined waist, with studies suggesting less than 10% of women naturally fit this description, while some data points to the inverted triangle (broad shoulders, narrow hips/waist) also being quite rare, potentially under 1% in some views, though hourglass is more consistently cited as the least common overall.
A new study has revealed that South African women have the biggest average hip size in the world, ahead of countries like Nigeria and the United States. “The statistic states that, on average, South African women have a hip size of 41.73 inches,” the study revealed.
Like large breasts, wide hips are a symbol of femininity. Wide hips aren't always easy to style, but once you know your body type, choosing the right outfits is a breeze. To create a silhouette that flatters your big hips and accentuates other parts of your body, you need to master a few basic styling tricks.
Mikel Ruffinelli is an American woman who currently holds the record of widest hip in the world, according to the World Record Academy.
Let's add another fruit to our mix: the Banana, aka the rectangle or column. This shape can be defined as long and slender “boyish” figure or athletic build. While proportionally the Banana has a balanced upper and lower body and quite a slender frame, at times may have a less defined waist.
Having extra weight on your behind, big hips and solid thighs "is good for you", British researchers said on Tuesday. Carrying fat on the hips, thighs and behind, rather than around the waist, has a range of health benefits and actively protects against diabetes and heart disease, experts at Oxford University said.
What are the signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance?
Listen to your body — it's trying to tell you something
Chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, which are in charge of sending impulses between nerve cells, are the main hormones linked to depression and sadness. In specifically, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin are three neurotransmitters that are vital.
Widening of the hip bones occurs as part of the female pubertal process, and estrogens (the predominant sex hormones in females) cause a widening of the pelvis as a part of sexual differentiation. Hence females generally have wider hips, permitting childbirth.
Waist Circumference: Another study found that both men and women tend to have an increase in waist size as they age. This means the belly area can get bigger, making the body appear wider.
Bigger Hips: The new feminine trend
The shape of the hips is largely determined by genetics, but other factors such as diet, physical activity, hormone levels, and body composition also play a role.
The abdomen is particularly susceptible to weight gain in large part because it has more fat cells than other regions of the body. Moreover, these abdominal fat cells do not break down as easily as the average fat cells. Hence, you may notice that you still have belly fat even after trimming down in other areas.
Diet Strategies to Reduce Hip Fat
Focus on Protein: Incorporate lean protein sources, such as chicken, fish, beans, and lentils, to induce feelings of fullness and maintain bulky muscle mass. Protein can help in staying fuller without needing to overeat.
The most common stubborn fat areas include the belly, thighs, hips, lower back, upper arms, and neck. These regions tend to store fat more easily and resist weight loss, making them challenging for many people. Fat in these areas is often influenced by factors like hormones, genetics, and lifestyle choices.