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Why are women's thighs bigger than men's?

Published in Body Composition 2 mins read

Women tend to have larger thighs than men primarily due to hormonal differences and the way fat is distributed in the body. The female hormone estrogen encourages fat storage in the hips and thighs, while testosterone, the dominant hormone in men, promotes fat storage in the abdomen.

This difference in fat distribution is linked to several factors:

  • Evolutionary Advantages: Women's bodies are designed to carry and nourish a fetus during pregnancy. Storing fat in the hips and thighs provides vital energy reserves and cushioning for the baby.
  • Health Benefits: Research suggests that women with larger thighs may have a lower risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This may be because fat stored in the thighs is less metabolically active than fat stored in the abdomen.
  • Genetics: Family history plays a significant role in body shape and fat distribution. If your mother or grandmother has larger thighs, you are more likely to inherit that characteristic.

It's important to remember that everyone's body is unique. While women generally have larger thighs than men, there is a wide range of variation within both genders.

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