Mums With Big Hips Can Have Kids Who Are Smarter
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Finally, some good news! As women, we have always obsessed over the fat content in our body, desperately trying to get rid of them in as many ways as possible. Even using clothes to our advantage to achieve that slim effect!
But as it turns out, you need that fat, and it’s probably not wise to get rid of all of it. Especially when it comes to fat that’s stored in your hips and bums as it plays a very special and important role for moms-to-be as well as new moms.
Researchers have found out that the fat in your derriere and thighs can help in the brain development as well increase the chances of survival of your baby (1)!
Led by Professor Will Lassek, who is a public epidemiologist at the Pittsburgh University in Pennsylvania, this research provides a conclusive answer to the age-old question of why women have a higher fat percentage than men!
Initially, the reason given was that wider hips and bigger butts are considered to be desirable physical traits by men as they indicate that the woman has “proper child-bearing hips” (2). And now we know why they are indeed better for child-bearing!
Professor Will Lassek explains that, “The fat in these areas is a depot for building a baby’s brain.”
He further goes on to say that fat in the mother’s body is needed for the development of the child’s nervous system. And the child derives this fat from mommy’s hips and thighs. The professor also mentions that the fat in this region of a woman’s body is rich in DHA (docosahexaenoic acid): a substance that acts as a crucial component of the brain.
In this regard, he says, “It looks as if women have evolved to accumulate these fats and hold on to them – until a baby arrives.”
Scientists have always wondered why women have 25% of body fat as compared to men who only have 15% (3). Professor Lassek’s study seems to have solved that mystery.
His research mentions that women store all this fat till childbirth as post-childbirth is when this fat is used for the proper development of their baby’s brains. In fact, all the extra fat that is stored is lost when mothers start breastfeeding. They lose about half a kilo of weight each month when they breastfeed, Lassek added.
The reason for that is these so called brain-building fats in the mother’s milk are derived from the fat is stored in her buttocks and thighs. In fact, 80% of the DHA a baby needs comes from the fat stored in these region in a breastfeeding mother! Plus, DHA makes up for less than 1% of your total body fat, which is why it needs to be shifted accordingly so it can play the role it was meant to. This also explains why it is so hard for you to normally lose weight from your thighs and buttocks and why it becomes easier to do the same when you’re breastfeeding.
This research was published in the book Why Women Need Fat.
So aren’t you delighted now that you don’t have to go through ultra-demanding thigh and butt workouts anymore? Lose that and your baby might not turn out as smart as you want them too!
That said, maintaining a healthy BMI is still equally important as obesity can lead to several pregnancy complications (4).
So keep exercising, eating healthy and flaunt your curvaceous hips and thighs in your favorite pair of skinny jeans as they are your key to having the smartest kid on the block!
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