Neither shape is inherently better or healthier than the other.
Genetics also help explain why exercise and dieting do not produce identical results for everyone. Although physical activity can strengthen muscles andchange body composition, it cannot completely override a person’s inherited skeletal structure.
In other words, a fuller figure is often simply a natural variation in human anatomy.
2. Body Fat Distribution Makes a Difference
The buttocks contain both gluteal muscles and a layer of subcutaneous fat, which is the fat stored directly beneath the skin.
The amount and distribution of this fat can significantly influence the appearance of the area.
Some women naturally store more fat around their hips, thighs, and buttocks. Others tend to store a greater proportion aroundtheir abdomen or other parts of their bodies.
These patterns are influenced by genetics, age, hormones, and overall energy balance.
Estrogen, a hormone involved in several aspects of female physiology, is associated with patterns of fat distribution that often favor the hips and thighs during the reproductive years. However, individual responses vary considerably, and body shape alone cannot reveal a person’s hormone levels.
