A review in the Journal of Obesity has shown that larger thighs and a bigger bum rather than body fat being carried around the gut and chest is healthier.

The research, gathered by obesity researchers at Oxford University looked at the health benefits associated with lower body fat storage. The research team then tried to decide whether storing excess body fat in the lower body - the buttocks and upper thighs - was more benefical to health than carrying excess body fat around the middle.

The suggestion that a bigger bum and thighs carries a number of health benefits, including this area of the body acting as a 'buffer', mopping up and storing excess fat rather than depositing this fat around the stomach or heart.

Also, the Oxford University research team suggest that while shifting excess weight from the bum and thighs is harder than shifting excess fat from the stomach region, this too has its health benefits as this type of body fat storage produces less harmful chemicals, which have been linked to obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

The study highlights that the Waist to Hip Ratio Test is a better indicator of health than the normal tradional Body Mass Index (BMI) test.

This obesity study is great news for the likes of popstar and actress Jennifer Lopez, Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce - and any women that feels their bum is too big in the clothes they wear.

So the next time you're going out for a night on the tiles, pack your big old bum into some tight fitting trousers, skirt or hot pants and flaunt your butt, safe in the knowledge that not only do you look good, but your big bum is keeping you healthy.