Everything You Need to Know About the Butt š
Letās talk about one of the most iconic and celebrated parts of the human body ā theĀ butt. Known by many names across cultures and contexts, itās more than just a place to sit. So buckle up, because what youāre about to read may surprise you ā and even inspire a few squats!
š¬Ā The Many Names of the Butt
The butt goes by a whole bunch of colorful names ā from clinical to cheeky (pun intended). Hereās a sampler:
Behind, bottom, ass, arse, buttocks, booty, derriĆØre, bamsee, backside, bum, glutes, posterior, gluteus maximus, hindquarters, tail,Ā and in more formal terms:Ā callipygianĀ andĀ steatopygia.
šĀ What Is Considered a Big Butt?
Size is subjective ā but if youāre wondering what qualifies as ābig,ā an international benchmark suggests that a butt measuringĀ 49 inches (122.5 cm) or more falls into that category.
š§¬Ā Butt Size: Itās in Your Genes
Genetics andĀ circulating estrogen levelsĀ largely determine the natural size and shape of a womanās butt. Women generally have larger butts than men due toĀ higher estrogen levels.
šŖĀ The Anatomy of the Glutes
Your glutes consist of three powerful muscles on each side:
- Gluteus MaximusĀ ā the largest and strongest muscle in the human body.
- Gluteus Medius
- Gluteus Minimus
These are covered byĀ gluteofemoral fat, giving the butt its shape and softness.
TheĀ intergluteal cleftĀ (commonly known as theĀ butt crack) is the groove between the cheeks.
šŖĀ Butt Shapes & Conditions
Butts come in various shapes:Ā round, square, heart-shaped, or V-shaped.
A small or flat butt may be influenced by:
- Genetics
- Age
- Low estrogen levels
- Inactivity
Good news? You can build a bigger butt withĀ squats, lunges, uphill running, and proper diet. Done consistently, you could see visible results inĀ 6ā8 weeks!
šØĀ Things That Affect the Butt
- Prolonged sitting can lead toĀ dormant butt syndromeĀ ā glute atrophy, tight hip flexors, and pain.
- Hair growth is typically lighter in female butts.
- Common causes of butt pain includeĀ muscle injuryĀ andĀ nerve compression.
- Boils are usually caused byĀ bacterial infections.
- Twerking isnāt just for show ā it improvesĀ hip flexibilityĀ and strengthens thigh muscles.
- Long sitting sessions may causeĀ numbnessĀ in one or both cheeks.
šĀ Health Benefits of a Big Butt
Turns out, having a larger derriĆØre comes with real perks:
- š§ Ā Smarter Kids: Oxford researchers found that women with bigger butts tend to haveĀ more intelligent children.
- šāāļøĀ Better Mobility: Stronger glutes improveĀ posture, balance, and mobilityĀ ā reducing your risk of falls.
- šŖĀ Pain Relief: Well-developed glutes helpĀ alleviate lower back pain.
- š«Ā Heart & Metabolic Health: Butt fat is often referred to asĀ āprotective fat,āĀ linked to a lower risk ofĀ diabetes and heart disease.
- š¶Ā Easier Pregnancy: A bigger butt helps counterbalance a growing belly, allowing for betterĀ mobility during pregnancyĀ andĀ easier childbirth.
- š§¬Ā Longevity: Some Harvard researchers suggest that people with larger butts tend toĀ live longer.
- šĀ Less Hunger: The extra fat helps stabilize hunger hormones.
- š§Ā Cushion & Shock Absorber: It provides natural padding for sitting and protection during falls.
- š¦µĀ Hamstring Protection: Buff glutes shield your hamstrings during tough workouts.
- šĀ Sex Appeal: Evolutionary psychologists say a fuller butt enhances theĀ curve of the spine, which can make women appear more attractive to men.
š¶Ā A Cultural Celebration
In Caribbean culture, the big butt is a point of pride. As Allison Hinds, queen of soca, sings in her empowering anthemĀ Born With It:
My great great grandmother pass it down
My great grandmother pass it down
My mother get it from my granny
And mommy give it to me
Cause we was born wit it
Born wit it
West Indian girls was born with it