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Big Butts Are Healthy, Study Finds

Pear-shaped bodies contain fat that could help prevent diabetes

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted May 7, 2008 6:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – The kind of fat found in the hips and buttocks may actually help fight diabetes, a result that surprised Harvard doctors performing the research that produced the finding. Although belly fat is known to raise the risk of diabetes, subcutaneous fat injected into the abdomens of mice actually increased their sensitivity to insulin and even helped them lose weight, Reuters reports.

"We actually found it had a beneficial effect, and it was especially true when you put it inside the abdomen," the study's lead doctor said, referring to the subcutaneous fat. "It's an important result because not only does it say that not all fat is bad, but I think it points to a special aspect of fat where we need to do more research."

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

The kind of fat that accumulates around the hips and hindquarters may help to ward off diabetes, and even counter the negative effects of abdominal fat. (Flickr)

It is well known by now that abdominal fat confers a higher risk of diabetes, but was surprising that subcutaneous fat injected into the abdomen had a beneficial effect. (Flickr)

Belly fat can contribute to diabetes, but obese people who also have lots of fat on their bottoms and hips might actually be somewhat protected from the disease. (Flickr)

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Big Butts Are Healthy, Study Finds