Are you an apple who carries excess weight around their tummy or a pear who straps it onto their backside?

After swaying on this for long, a new research by the University of Oxford, has found that you’re better off carrying extra junk on your trunk than tires around the belly. Even though low-waist jeans will be your daily struggle, the extra lining around your backside, thighs and legs could even protect against diseases.

Before you start gloating over your derriere, here’s a disclaimer - this study does not imply that your mid-year resolution should be to store excess body fat, it simply means if you happen to have a little extra flesh, some places are better to store than others. Here’s how:

Fat Bums Might Be Healthy

1. You’re Less Likely To Have Dangerously High Levels Of Cholesterol

Oxford University researchers found women with big butts and smaller waists tend to have lower levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol and higher levels of ‘good’ cholesterol that protects against the hardening of arteries. The study also found that pear-shaped people run a lower risk of diabetes.

The reason behind it is that bum fat breaks down more slowly than belly fat (ask anyone who has tried to lose inches on their hips), and produces far fewer inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) which are linked to heart disease and obesity.

2. Diabetes Will Not Mess With You

Another advantage of a generous backside - the slower burning fat produces a higher dose of hormone adiponectin that protects arteries and promotes better blood sugar control and fat burning.

3. Big Bum = Smarter Kids?

Buttocks and thighs store omega-3 fatty acids. This not only increases the supply of breastmilk but these important fats, integral for brain and nervous system development can mean brighter kids.

But it’s not all gloom and doom if you have a flat buttock. Your child can be Einstein Jr. from many other ways too.

Not All Fat Is Equal & Belly Fat Is a Health Disaster

There’s a reason why no one mistakes a beer belly as a sign of prosperity any longer. Abdominal fat, or visceral fat is the reason behind many health problems because it sits next to your integral organs like the heart, liver, kidneys - pressing them, feeding them poisons on a daily basis.

Just like there’s a good cholesterol and bad, no fat is equal. In the mirror, the fat on your arms might look the same as your belly but under the microscope, it is much more active and dangerous.

A Canadian study of more 8,000 people done over 13 years, found that, people with the weakest abdominal muscles had a death rate more than twice as high as those with strong core muscles. The study upholds the fact that flat abs do more than turn heads at the beach.

Doctors say that an overall fat person has a lesser risk of lifestyle diseases than someone who is thin with protruding belly. Clearly, it is the shape that matters and where fat gathers and not just your weight.

Must Read: Five Yoga Poses For a Guaranteed Flat Tummy

The Final Word

A big bum is equivalent to having a built-in cushion. Imagine falling on a flat butt! Ouch... Gruesome. Sadly, where your body decides to stock fat is down to genetics but no way does this research give you the right to be a couch potato.

So keep calm and repeat after me - Healthy is not a goat. It is a way of living!

Also Read: Are You Fated to Be Fat?