South Africa tops as global study ranks women’s average hip sizes
Women in South Africa have the widest average hip size, suggesting that they have the biggest backsides, a new research conducted by market research company GitNux has revealed.
After measuring average hip size in Nigeria and 16 other countries, data from the report titled: “Statistics About The Average Hip Size For Women” ranked South Africa first with an average hip size of 41.73 inches.
By the ranking, South Africa dethrones Brazil, which wasn’t included in the dataset, but is often associated with wide hips and big backsides.
Argentina, known for its thriving plastic surgery scene, particularly Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs), came in second closely behind at 41 inches, while Sweden, defying stereotypes of tall and slender figures, secured the third spot with an average of 40.9 inches.
Rounding out the top five were Greece and Germany, with averages of 40.74 and 40.6 inches respectively. The US was sixth with an average hip size of 40.2 inches.
Nigerian women, on average, were measured at hip size of about 38.56 inches in circumference, the report noted. The measurement, taken at the widest part, is an indicator of pelvic size.
The researchers explained that this is an average based on a sample group and won’t necessarily reflect the size of every Nigerian woman.
India, with the second-lowest obesity rate globally, held the distinction of having the smallest average hip size at 36.1 inches.
While the study doesn’t delve into the reasons behind the rankings, factors like obesity rates, plastic surgery prevalence, and even bone structure could all play a role.
The researchers haven’t stated the exact reasons for these rankings, but suggest a combination of factors could be at play, including obesity rates, plastic surgery prevalence, and inherent bone structure of a population.
According to GitNux, understanding body diversity, including variations in hip measurements, is key for both personal knowledge and health awareness. Data and trends to uncover how hip measurements vary across age groups and regions and exploration of average hip size statistics for women, reveals that hip size is relative.
Factors such as age, ethnicity, and even location play a significant role. The report, however, stressed that a general range of measurements observed through data analysis were just averages.
They point out that individual bodies are beautifully diverse, and by understanding this diversity, the unique forms that women come in can be better appreciated.
Prior to the GitNux study, British researchers noted that women with curves: carrying fat on the hips, thighs, and buttocks may actually be at a health advantage.
In a study, Oxford University scientists found that fat stored around the lower body, creating a pear-shaped figure, offers a range of health advantages compared to fat accumulating around the waist (apple-shaped figure).
Wide hips and big thighs a ‘healthy’ shape, the study noted, noting that body fat distribution plays a role in overall health.
Research has shed new light on the positive impact of thigh fat and larger hip circumferences, suggesting that lower body fat storage offers its own protective benefits.
Another study in the journal “Evolution and Human Behaviour”, noted that spinal structure could have an impact on backside size. In the study, men were most attracted to images of women with a 45-degree curvature from their back to their buttocks.
Another study found that men are attracted to a woman’s curvy figure because it signals an abundance of docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, an omega-3 fat, and a rich resource in the growth and development of a human baby’s brain.
From the study, DHA is stored in women’s hip and leg fats. Akso, most of the DHA in a mother’s milk comes from what she has stored in her lower-body fat.
Curvy women are also perceived to be more fertile.
Research suggests that men evolved to find women with larger backsides attractive because it suggested they were more youthful and fertile
‘This spinal structure would have enabled pregnant women to balance their weight over the hips,’ the team said. ‘These women would have been more effective at foraging during pregnancy and less likely to suffer spinal injuries.
‘In turn, men who preferred these women would have had mates who were better able to provide for fetus and offspring, and who would have been able to carry out multiple pregnancies without injury.’
