When a woman asks: 'Does my bum look big in this?' she should hope the answer is yes, according to health experts.

Studies show that having a generous rear end and thighs, rather than a pot belly, cuts levels of 'bad' cholesterol and raises levels of the 'good' cholesterol that protect against hardening of the arteries.

Celebrities like Beyonce are healthier role models, say scientists. 

The findings tie in with studies showing that the ratio of a person's waist to their hips is a better predictor of heart disease than BMI, the GPs' rule of thumb for judging healthy weights.