Distribution of excess fat predominantly around the hips, thighs, and buttocks. If sufficient, it results in ‘pear-shaped’ obesity (figure 29). It is more common in females than males. This type of fat responds to female sex hormones which makes it easier for the fat to be broken down into fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation. Pear-shaped people, men as well as women, seem to be less prone to the harmful consequences of moderate obesity than apple-shaped people (see android fat distribution). This may be because fat around the hips is less likely to be mobilized during stress than fat around the waist. Therefore, the fat remains in the hips and does not enter the bloodstream where it can become deposited in the walls of blood vessels. See also waist-hip ratio.
Figure 29 Gynoid fat distribution. Comparison of the two main types of fat distribution
