What are considered big hips? An in-depth guide to measurements, body composition, and health

September 21, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) above 0.85 for women and 0.90 for men indicates a higher health risk due to abdominal fat distribution. But beyond clinical metrics, what are considered big hips? This guide explores the factors that shape our lower body and the health implications involved.

Quick Summary

Defining big hips goes beyond a single measurement, involving a combination of genetics, skeletal structure, muscle mass, and fat distribution. What's considered "large" can also be influenced by cultural perceptions, health metrics like waist-to-hip ratio, and body type classifications such as endomorph or pear-shaped figures.

Key Points

Genetics & Bone Structure: Hip size is fundamentally determined by your inherited pelvic bone structure, which is set after puberty.
Fat Distribution: Fat stored on the hips, known as gynoid fat, contributes to a 'pear' shape and is considered less harmful than abdominal fat.
Muscle Mass: Developing your gluteal muscles through exercises like squats and lunges can increase the size and shape of your hips and buttocks.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR): A WHR over 0.85 for women or 0.90 for men is a health risk indicator, but is relative to overall body size.
Body Positivity: Social perceptions of "big hips" are subjective; focusing on overall wellness and body acceptance is more important than specific measurements.
Healthier Fat Storage: Fat stored around the hips is linked to lower risks for certain chronic diseases compared to abdominal fat.

Defining 'Big Hips': It's More Than a Number

While clothing sizes and social perceptions might offer a superficial idea, the term "big hips" is not defined by a single numerical standard. Instead, it is the result of several biological and physiological factors. Understanding these components provides a much more complete picture than simply comparing measurements.

The Role of Bone Structure and Genetics

Your underlying skeletal structure, particularly the pelvic bone, is a primary determinant of your hip width. This is largely a matter of genetics and is unchangeable through diet or exercise, especially after puberty. Hormonal changes during puberty, particularly the presence of estrogen, cause the female pelvis to widen in preparation for potential childbirth. This results in the characteristic wider hip structure often associated with women.

Genetic Inheritance: You inherit your basic bone structure from your parents. If your family has a history of wider hips, it's very likely that you will, too.
Pelvic Types: There are four main pelvic shapes, with the "gynecoid" type being most commonly associated with what people call "childbearing hips." This wider, shallower pelvis is favorable for vaginal delivery.

The Influence of Fat Distribution

Body fat distribution is another major factor contributing to the appearance of large hips. Excess fat stored in the hips, buttocks, and thighs is known as "gynoid obesity" and contributes to a pear-shaped body type. In contrast, fat stored primarily around the abdomen is called "android obesity," or an apple shape.

Hormonal Factors: Estrogen influences where the body stores fat. Higher levels of this hormone encourage the storage of fat in the lower body, which is a biological advantage as it provides an energy reserve for pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Health Implications: It's important to distinguish between abdominal fat (visceral fat), which is linked to higher health risks, and lower-body fat (subcutaneous fat), which has fewer associated health problems. In some studies, a larger hip circumference has even been linked to fewer adverse health outcomes, particularly concerning cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

How Muscle Mass Affects Hip Size

Alongside genetics and fat, the muscles of the gluteal region—the gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus—play a significant role in defining hip size and shape. A targeted exercise regimen can increase the size and strength of these muscles, leading to fuller, rounder hips and buttocks. Exercises such as squats, lunges, and hip thrusts can directly contribute to building this muscle mass.

Using Metrics: The Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)

While not a measure of "bigness" in a social context, the Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) is a valuable health metric that places hip size in proportion to waist size. It can be a better indicator of health risk than Body Mass Index (BMI) alone, as it specifically examines where fat is stored.

Calculating Your WHR

Measure Your Waist: Find the narrowest part of your torso, typically just above your belly button.
Measure Your Hips: Measure the circumference at the fullest part of your hips and buttocks.
Divide: Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. For example, a 28-inch waist and 38-inch hips result in a WHR of 0.74.

Interpreting WHR

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a WHR of 0.85 or higher for women and 0.90 or higher for men indicates abdominal obesity and a higher health risk. However, it's crucial to remember that this is a risk indicator and not a definitive diagnosis. It should be considered alongside other health factors and interpreted by a medical professional.

Societal Perceptions vs. Medical Definitions

Culturally, what is deemed "big" or "small" is subjective and constantly shifts with fashion trends and beauty standards. The medical community, however, focuses on metrics and the health implications of fat distribution, rather than aesthetic judgment. It's essential to cultivate a healthy self-image that is not dependent on societal whims. Focus on holistic health, including nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being, rather than being preoccupied with a specific measurement.

Comparison of Body Shape Influences


Factor	Influence on Hip Size	Impact on Appearance	Health Implications (generally)
Genetics/Bone Structure	Direct, predetermined by pelvic shape	Determines fundamental width	Defines childbearing potential, minimal health risk
Fat Distribution	Gynoid fat stores in hips/thighs	Creates 'pear' or 'hourglass' figure	Lower health risk than abdominal fat
Muscle Mass	Built through exercise	Adds fullness and roundness to glutes	Enhances strength, reduces injury risk

Conclusion: Embracing Body Diversity

Ultimately, there is no single answer to "what are considered big hips?" It is a combination of genetic factors, fat distribution, and muscle development. Metrics like WHR are useful tools for assessing health risks related to fat storage, but they don't dictate personal value or attractiveness. Cultivating a positive body image and focusing on overall wellness is far more important than any measurement. Each body is unique, and true health lies in appreciating and nurturing the one you have, regardless of its shape or size.

For more information on body composition and its impact on health, you can read articles published by the World Health Organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. Your hip size is influenced by bone structure, muscle, and fat distribution. A person can have wide hips and be at a healthy weight, particularly if the fat is distributed in the lower body, a pattern often associated with better health outcomes than abdominal fat.

No, your bone structure is determined by genetics and becomes fixed after puberty. You can, however, alter your hip size by building muscle and managing body fat, which sit on top of the bone structure.

According to the World Health Organization, a healthy waist-to-hip ratio is 0.85 or less for women and 0.90 or less for men. Ratios higher than this can indicate a higher risk for health issues.

The idea that big hips indicate fertility is a cultural myth. While higher estrogen levels linked to wider hips can support reproductive health, a person's ability to conceive is determined by a complex mix of hormonal balance and ovarian health, not hip width alone.

Fat stored in the hips and thighs is called gynoid fat and is generally considered healthier than visceral fat, which is stored around abdominal organs. Gynoid fat is often rich in beneficial fatty acids.

Yes, targeted exercises can increase muscle mass in your glutes and hip abductors, which can lead to larger, fuller hips. Effective exercises include squats, lunges, hip thrusts, and side leg raises.

To get an accurate measurement, stand with your feet together and use a flexible tape measure to find the widest part of your hips and buttocks. Ensure the tape is parallel to the floor and held snugly, but not tight.