It is not ideal to assume that all black people have larger backsides than other racial areas, but it is fair to agree that this is a common trait associated with black women. Perhaps this trait has a lot to do with inheriting certain genes from one’s parents or taking up a lifestyle that affects the size of their butt.
Various body shape ideals will continue to evolve throughout the centuries and certain factors have contributed to achieving them. Some of these factors include genetics, diet, exercise, lifestyle, and hormones. There may be scientific evidence to prove how these factors work to affect a person’s butt size, but let’s look into each of them.
What Causes Differences in Butt Size?
While a lot of people are interested in enhancing their butts to get the perfect shape, a common thread runs that most black persons may not need to because of one of the following factors.
1. Genetic Factors
The truth about black people having an increase in the size of their butts is that a large part of it is due to their genetic makeup. In other words, genetics is a major component that determines the size and shape of one’s backside. You can have a good idea of what your behind will look like throughout your lifetime by taking a look at your mother’s bum.
While a mother’s diet or lifestyle can contribute to the way their body looks, certain aspects of their shape and size will most likely be a part of you too. However, if your mother doesn’t have a big butt, and is unable to enhance it through workouts or diets, chances are that the same will happen to you.
2. Hormones
Despite the differences in age and gender, some people tend to add weight as they grow. Certain sex hormones in the body drive the deposition of fat in the butts and thighs of women and the bellies of men. These hormones are major determinants of regional body fat distribution.
An increase in estrogen levels (that encourages the body to store fat in the buttocks, hips, and thighs)A briefs to an increase in central fat mass. Studies have shown that at the same level of BMI, most black women have greater SSAT (abdominal superficial subcutaneous adipose tissue), but less VAT (visceral adipose tissue) than most white women. The ethnic difference in body fat distribution between black and white women may also be associated with differences in the gene expression of hormones like ERB, ERA, and CYP19A1 in the adipose tissue.
3. Lifestyle and Diet
Naturally, there are a lot of curvy women with thick thighs and rounder butts. However, while some are genetically endowed, others have to put in more work by changing their diets and lifestyle to gain weight at the right place. Whatever the case may be, building a big butt requires dedication and commitment to a strict diet plan.
If you want to gain weight on your butt and hip muscles, you need to increase your calorie intake. More so, it is possible to control where the gained body fat goes with a consistent and healthy lifestyle. To increase your protein intake for bigger buttocks and thighs, you need to consume dairy products like lean meat, chicken, and eggs and plant-based proteins like beans, peas, lentils, and soy protein.
4. Exercise
Exercise is a common way to make butts bigger, but it is usually not an easy thing to do without a regular workout routine. You would have to head to a gym and work out a lot for a long time to get the best results. In most cases, it usually takes 6 to 8 months to notice any results.
Darker Skin and Butt Size
1. The Relationship Between Melanin and Body Shape
Melanin plays a major role in the body by protecting the body from the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun and producing a brownish pigment. Black people have more melanin than people with white skin and may need more exposure to sunlight to make a certain amount of vitamin D than white people. Several studies show that black people are at a higher risk of developing vitamin D deficiency, which is quite unhealthy for muscle and bone growth.
2. The Role of Vitamin D in Butt Size
As earlier mentioned, it takes consistent workouts and training, as well as a balanced diet to build muscles in the body. Vitamins are also a major part of building muscles, but vitamins alone will not help you achieve your goal. You also need a good diet and workout routine to achieve a toned and lifted butt.
Vitamins are organic substances that cannot be synthesized by your body, yet you need them in small amounts to perform certain metabolic activities in the body. More so, vitamin D helps in muscular growth and contributes to healthy muscular contraction.
The evolutionary advantages of a larger butt in people with darker skin
- Butt fat is relatively harmless. Unlike the excess white fat that surrounds organs and leads to inflammation or high blood pressure, big butts are full of subcutaneous yellow fat, which is not harmful in that area.
- Makes Blacks Biologically More Attractive. According to a study published in Evolution and Human Behavior, some evolutionary psychologists believe that men will prefer to go out with women with fuller butts because it improves the appearance of the curvature of their spine, which is a desirable trait.
- Protect your Lower Back. If your butt is not big enough, it may not be able to propel your legs forward as you walk. This can lead to strains in specific places like the back, hips, and knees.
Cultural Perceptions of Big Butts in Different Communities
The historical and cultural significance of big butts in African and Afro-Caribbean communities.
- The female butt is seen as a symbol of fertility and beauty since early human history. It is an indication of the shape and size of the pelvis, which contributes to the reproductive capability of the body. Since the development of the butt begins at the first occurrence of menstruation and declines with age, a big butt is said to be a symbol of youth.
- Among many African and Afro- Caribbean cultural traditions, women with big butts are considered more beautiful than those with less developed gluteus maximus (large muscles that form the buttock and hip area).
The growing mainstream acceptance of bigger butts in Western societies
- It is important to note that there is no new era of appreciating a big butt, especially in the Western community. The blacks have accepted big butts for a very long time so it’s no news that it keeps growing over time in history.
Addressing Misconceptions and Stereotypes
There are a lot of misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding the idea of black women with big butts. Let’s clear some of them below:
1. Debunking Harmful Stereotypes About People with Bigger Butts
Everyone is allowed to make their own decisions, especially when it comes to their bodies. It is important to start treating people of all butt sizes with respect. The following information debunks harmful stereotypes about big butts:
- High Butts are Unhealthy: If having big butts are as bad as they say, then fat loss in the butt should bring about a lot of healthy benefits. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Big butts are full of a certain type of fat that is not in any way harmful in that area.
- Black Women with Big Butts are Highly Sexual. This stereotype comes from the legacy of an idea about big-butted black women, that was formed out of what happened to Sarah Baartman in the early 19th century.
Society will always talk, but if you insist on having a big butt, you must be ready to embrace it or accept positive attention for it. In other words, make it part of your brand.
2. Promoting Body Positivity and Self-acceptance for all Body Shapes and Sizes
Body positivity goes a long way in promoting acceptance of all bodies, regardless of size and shape, including the butt. It involves loving your body despite the odds and even against society’s standards. Besides, instead of concentrating on your physical appearance, the focus should be more on the body’s abilities and non-physical characteristics.
Conclusion
The science behind black people’s butts cannot be fully explained in a three-page paper, however, it makes more sense to inquire about the subject. Further research into the topic will help improve and formulate your thoughts about the topic. Factors such as hormones, genetics, diet, and exercise shape a black woman’s body type with some of them playing major roles than others for some black people.
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