Wide hips are a prominent feature of human body shape, particularly in females, resulting from a complex interplay of skeletal structure, hormonal signaling, and fat storage patterns. Science approaches this physical characteristic through objective measurement and anatomical structure, moving beyond subjective visual assessment. Standardized anthropometric methods are used in health and research to quantify this trait and provide context for individual body composition. The medical relevance of hip width is primarily understood when measured in relation to the waist, a calculation that offers significant insight into metabolic health risks.
Anatomical Basis of Hip Width
The foundation of hip width is the bony structure of the pelvis, which exhibits marked differences between the sexes, known as sexual dimorphism. The female pelvis is structurally adapted for childbirth, resulting in a broader, more basin-like shape compared to the male pelvis, specifically increasing the dimensions of the birth canal. This structural difference is largely mediated by sex steroid hormones during puberty, leading to a female pelvis that is wider and shallower.
The visual width of the hips is also significantly determined by the distribution of adipose tissue. The second major contributor is the subcutaneous fat stored around the hips and thighs, termed gluteofemoral fat. This fat storage is hormonally influenced by estrogen, which directs fat away from the metabolically active abdominal area. The accumulation of gluteofemoral fat dramatically increases the overall hip circumference, defining the visual perception of “wide.”
Objective Measurement and Anthropometry
Researchers use anthropometry, the scientific measurement of the human body, to define hip size objectively. The most common measurement is the Hip Circumference (HC), taken with a flexible tape wrapped horizontally around the body at the point of maximum protrusion of the buttocks. HC captures the combined width of the skeletal structure, muscle mass, and the overlying gluteofemoral fat.
To determine if a measurement is considered “wide,” it must be compared to large population datasets. Mean hip circumference measurements typically range from 94 to 105 centimeters for men and 97 to 108 centimeters for women across various populations. A hip measurement falling significantly above the 50th percentile or mean for a person’s sex is objectively considered larger or wider than average.
A more specific bony measurement is the Biiliac Breadth, which quantifies the distance between the outermost points of the iliac crests. Unlike circumference, which includes soft tissue, biiliac breadth is a measure of skeletal frame size and requires specialized calipers. While HC provides the overall, visually apparent width, biiliac breadth offers a precise measure of the underlying bony structure.
The Role of the Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) in Health
While a large hip circumference quantifies width, the medical assessment of body shape focuses on fat distribution, which is better captured by the Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR). The WHR is calculated by dividing the waist circumference by the hip circumference, providing a simple index of where the body preferentially stores fat. This ratio is a superior predictor of metabolic health risk compared to Body Mass Index (BMI) alone, because it distinguishes between “apple” and “pear” body shapes.
The “apple” shape, characterized by a higher WHR, indicates a concentration of visceral fat in the abdomen, strongly associated with conditions like heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Conversely, the “pear” shape, with a lower WHR, indicates fat stored in the gluteofemoral region (wide hips). This lower-body fat storage is considered metabolically safer and may even be protective against some chronic diseases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides clear thresholds for WHR that indicate increased health risk. A WHR greater than 0.90 for men and greater than 0.85 for women suggests abdominal obesity and an elevated risk for metabolic complications. Having wide hips that contribute to a smaller overall ratio is a favorable distribution pattern. The wide hip measurement is medically beneficial when it results in a low WHR, confirming that the ratio of fat distribution is the factor for health.