Everybody dislikes a big tummy, but what about a big butt? The shape of your butt can have significant health implications.
It not only affects your appearance and the size of jeans that fit you but also reveals a lot about your metabolic health.
Butt Fat Vs Visceral Fat
Visceral fat, mostly located around your internal organs such as the liver, kidney, intestines, and heart, is a metabolically active fat.
This fat is pro-inflammatory and associated with various health risks such diabetes, NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), and ischemic heart disease.
Contrary to visceral and tummy fat, glueal fat (butt fat) prevents the harmful fatty acids in the blood from affecting your vital organs.
Butt fat is less harmful, rather beneficial for your metabolic health compared to visceral fat. Remember, a big tummy is a warning sign. A big butt indicates a healthier fat distribution that lowers the risk of chronic medical conditions.
Butt fat is primarily regulated by hormones, particularly in females. This is one of the many reasons why women with balanced hormones are inherently at lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Is a Big Butt Good for Your Heart?
Yes. Especially when comparing a big tummy vs a big butt. Butt is like a metabolic sink, it stores excess fatty acids, convert them into inactive form, and does not allow these fatty acids to enter the bloodstream.
Hence, the chances of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases are much lower. In contrast to tummy fat or visceral fat, butt fat is high in omega-3 fatty acids which are good for your heart.
Can a Big Butt Help Prevent Diabetes:
Yes, having a larger amount of gluteofemoral fat (fat stored in the buttocks and thighs) may help reduce the risk of diabetes and other metabolic disorders. This protective effect is due to the following reasons [Ref]:
- Better Glucose and Lipid Profiles:
- Gluteofemoral fat is linked to better blood sugar and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of developing diabetes.
- Storage of Fatty Acids:
- Your butt traps the excess fatty acids. These fatty acids are long chain and can not easily enter the bloodstream to cause atherosclerosis and inflammation.
- Anti-inflammatory Role:
- Butt fat depot has a proportionately more anti-inflammatory hormones (leptin and adiponectin). A lower inflammatory load improves insulin resistance and results in better metabolic health.
Butt fat is a metabolic depot (metabolic sink) storing fats and make them inactive, not allowing them to enter the blood stream.
Big butt is not necessarily bad. Rather its better to have a big butt than a big tummy.
If You Have a Big Butt, You Are More Intelligent and Healthier
Studies suggest that butt fat contains a higher percentage of omega-3 fatty acids, which improve sugar metabolism and positively affect brain health.
Research links a bigger butt to:
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Improved sugar metabolism
- Higher omega-3 fat levels, promoting brain health
Fun Fact: Omega-3 fats are vital for cognitive function and brain development. This could explain why individuals with bigger butts are sometimes found to be more intelligent!
Here Is What the Shape of Your Butt Says About Your Health …
Primarily, there are four distinct shapes that your butt may resemble:
- Square-Shaped
- V-Shaped
- Heart-Shaped
- Round (Circular-Shaped)
Each butt shape tells something about your health. Although, the shape of your butt is primarily determined by your genes, you can reshape it with diet and exercise to some extent.
Square-Shaped Butt:
- Description:
A flat appearance with fat around the waist or weak glute muscles.
- Image:

Fats around the waist
Weak Gluteal Muscles
- Health Implications:
Square-shaped butt is a sign of poor muscle tone. It could also indicate excess fat around the love handles.
- Tips for Improvement:
Incorporate glute-focused exercises like squats and lunges, and add core strengthening workouts to reduce waist fat.
Heart-Shaped Butt:
- Description:
Full at the bottom, tapering near the waist. Fat may accumulate in the upper thighs.
- Image:

Narrow Waist
Full at the bottom

- Health Implications:
While aesthetically desirable, fat in the thighs may pose long-term health risks. With age, fat redistribution can lead to midsection fat storage.
- Tips for Improvement:
Focus on lower-body strength training and maintain a consistent cardio routine to prevent fat redistribution.
V-Shaped Butt:
- Description:
Narrower at the bottom, common in older women due to fat redistribution and hormonal changes.
- Image:

Less Fat at the bottom

- Health Implications:
Indicates reduced estrogen levels and fat moving to the abdomen, increasing cardiovascular risks.
- Tips for Improvement:
Engage in hormone-balancing activities like weight training and monitor fat intake.
Round-Shaped Butt:
- Description:
Full and well-distributed fat in the glutes.
- Image:

Evenly distributed fats

- Health Implications:
Generally healthy, though slight excess fat may accumulate at the top.
- Tips for Improvement:
Maintain a balanced diet and include cardio and resistance training to keep the shape defined.
How to Keep Your Butt Healthy
Focus on your tummy, but don’t forget your butt. Its not only about the looks, your butt shape can tell you about changes in your body hormones, physical activity, muscle loss, and diet.
Keep your butt healthy by following these steps:
- Regular Exercise:
- Focus on glute activation exercises like squats, deadlifts, and hip thrusts.
- Healthy Diet:
- Include lean protein, whole grains, healthy fats, and Omega-3-rich foods and anti-oxidant/ herbal tea.
- Consistent Activity:
- Stay active throughout the day to improve circulation and prevent fat buildup.