Not that men are really complaining, but women have always been curvier in their backside and thighs.
And it seems science now has the answer as to why!
It apparently all relates to babies brains - their development relies on the fat supplied by women in their thighs and buttocks, especially during breastfeeding.
This is according to a study by professor Will Lassek of the University of Pittsburg, who found that the quality of the fat in these areas might affect a child's intelligence.
He and his team worked out the quantity of such fat supplies may also play a role in their babies chance of survival.
The results also provide some more insight into why some men seem to be evolutionarily hardwired to prefer curvier women (guilty), as their children would be more likely to survive with a mother sporting more curves.
Professor Lassek says the fats in a woman's backside and thighs are high in docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA.
“The fat in these areas is a depot for building a baby’s brain...you need lots of fat to make a nervous system and the fats in these areas are also enriched in DHA, which is a particularly important component in the human brain. It looks as if women have evolved to accumulate these fats and hold on to them — until a baby arrives.”
Professor Lassek says it's forever been a “complete mystery” as to why women have so much fat.
“Mammals’ and primates’ bodies typically have about 5-10 per cent of fat but in human women that rises to 30 per cent on average,” he said.
“This is similar to the levels seen in bears going into hibernation or whales living in cold Arctic seas. Women have traded muscle for fat so they are about a third as strong.”
Now that's an interesting stat!
So how much of the DHA required for a babies brain comes from the mother's stored fat?
According to Professor Lassek, 80 per cent!
“Less than 1% of body fat is DHA so a lot of fat has to be shifted. That’s why lactating women may lose a pound of fat a month,” he said.
Interesting findings that somewhat solves the problem lots of women frequently ask - "why do we have so much more body fat then men?!"
Well, now you know!
***FURTHER READING - THE ULTIMATE FAT LOSS GUIDE FOR FEMALES***
"Stay Fit, Stay Flexed!"
Author
Dayne Hudson