Hip dips are currently circulating on social platforms as a new twist on the body positivity movement. But what exactly is it and can you do something about the supposed blemish? Does the latter even make sense and is it necessary?
What are hip dips?
Most women dream of a shapely hourglass figure. This means that a narrow waist turns into rounded hips. In reality, however, very few women correspond to this ideal of beauty. The so-called hip dips are lateral dents in the hips. The dents are at the base of the thighs, which gives the silhouette a slight optical “kink”.
This kink is by no means a health risk. On the contrary: Most women have slight dents in their hips of varying degrees. While some can get along well with their hip dips or even show them off proudly, other women are dying to get rid of them. Both are perfectly legitimate.
What Causes Hip Dips?
In order to be able to take appropriate countermeasures, you should first understand the causes of hip dip dents. Three key factors play a role here:
1. The body fat percentage
The typical distribution of fat in women means that love handles tend to form on the hips, thighs, and buttocks. From a biological point of view, this makes sense, but the aesthetic aspect is debatable.
However, you can actively influence your body fat percentage. The higher the total body fat percentage, the more pronounced your hip dips are. The less body fat you have, the less noticeable they are. This applies even if a corresponding assessment exists.
So if you are overweight, try to lose the extra pounds with a combination of exercise and a healthy diet. Don’t make the mistake of starving yourself massively! This only leads to the dreaded yo-yo effect, so that the dents in the hips become even more pronounced afterward.
2. The muscles
With the weight reduction to your normal weight, an important step has already been taken to counteract the hip dents. However, you need muscles for a well-formed, tight silhouette! The best way to do this is through regular strength training. By the way, women with a pronounced gluteal musculature have hip dips much less frequently.
The dents in the hips will not disappear completely through strength training, but they can be significantly reduced in their severity. Tip: To boost muscle growth, you should consume enough protein. A daily guide value of 1.5 g of protein per kilogram of body weight applies as a benchmark for amateur athletes.
3. Bone structure and genetics
In contrast to the first two factors mentioned, you cannot influence your bone structure. If you have a naturally wide pelvis, neither exercise nor diet can change this.
Inheritance also plays an important role. If the majority of your female relatives also have hip dents, there is a high probability that the predisposition runs in your family. Only self-acceptance helps here, but that in no way means that the hip dips cannot at least be reduced in extent.
Why has the number of people concerned about body figures and hip dips gone up?
The number of people concerned about body figures and hip dips has gone up. This is because more people are becoming aware of the importance of health and fitness, which has led to an increase in the number of companies that offer health and fitness-related products.
The rise in concern about health and fitness can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, there is a growing awareness that people need to take care of their bodies. Secondly, there is an increasing number of companies that offer products related to this area such as diet plans, exercise gear, supplements, etc. Thirdly, the Internet has played a major role in making people aware of these topics. Finally, social media platforms such as Instagram have helped spread information on this topic among young adults who are more likely to be concerned with their body figures than older generations.
Read also: Global Obesity : Can Leanbean Really Help Fight the Obesity Epidemic?
How can you spot the signs of someone who is struggling with their mental health because of too much concern for body appearance and hip dips?
Mental health is a serious issue. It is important to know the signs of someone with mental health issues so that we can help them in the right way and not make it worse.
The signs of someone struggling with their mental health due to too much concern for their appearance are:
- They feel like they need to lose weight or get bigger in order for people to like them.
- They constantly worry about how they look and how others perceive them.
- They are always trying new diets or fad diets and exercise regimes in order to get the weight off.
Embrace Your Hip Dips To Improve Mental Health
If you have a dip in your hip, it means you are flexible, healthy, and happy. According to Mai Delacruz, fitness trainer and health coach, hip dips are a sign of good health, not poor health. The human body is meant to move and change shape constantly with the help of our muscles and bones.
Hip dips are just one of many ways that our bodies communicate with us. Other ways include posture, facial expressions, heart rate variability (HRV), and more.