A larger bottom ‘could be good for your health

“There is ‘good’ fat and ‘bad’ fat – just like there is good and bad cholesterol.

“The cells in lower body fat work differently from the cells in upper body fat – so it could be said that celebrities like J-Lo are better role models for women’s health than supermodels who have much less lower body fat.”

High levels of this type of fat around the bottom and thighs have been linked to lower levels of heart problems and lower cholesterol, according to the study published in the International Journal of Obesity.

The team behind the review called for more research to test the effect of increasing the amount of the fat, called gluteofemoral fat, on health.

They add: “Body fat distribution is a major determinant of metabolic health and gluteofemoral (fat) exerts specific functional properties that are associated with an improved … cardiovascular risk profile.

“The protective properties of gluteofemoral fat have been confirmed in large population studies.”

The fat reduces the effect of harmful proteins, called cytokines, which can lead to inflammation and illness.

Obesity is calculated using the Body Mass Index (BMI), a ratio of weight in comparison to height.

A BMI score is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by their height in metres squared.

A score of between 18 and 25 is considered normal, while 25 to 30 is overweight, 30 to 40 obese and over 40 morbidly obese.