Before you start the Master Cleanse (again) or run that extra mile, there’s something you should know. That round thing you carry around that leaves Black men speechless or only able to muster up a “DAMN,” is actually good for your health. According to a recent study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, women who carry their weight in their butt and thighs are at a lower risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. This means a Nicki Minaj or Beyonce booty may actually help a girl live longer. Big booties are common in our community. Some flaunt their ample tush in tight jeans and form-fitting dresses, while others are more self-conscious, opting for long sweaters in hopes of getting brothers to look inside, instead of behind. It could be a sister’s biggest gift or curse. Whether you value your rump or not, Black men love it. Just flip through the music video channels or the pages of your man’s favorite magazines and you’ll see your (and your neighbor’s) rear end. I learned early on how important buns are to a Black man. In elementary school, the boys were obsessed with copping feels; they’d pull up our uniform skirts and squeeze our butts on the playground. One of my favorite songs growing up was, “Bonita Applebum” by A Tribe Called Quest. When Q-Tip, nearly in tears from Bonita’s onion, declared the young lady’s “38-24-37” measurements in utter admiration, I knew most men shared his sentiment. I doubt Q-Tip knew that the dimensions he described were actually desirable in a doctor’s office too. Studies point out the advantage of the pear-shaped body (smaller top and a bigger bottom) and suggest that the waist to hip ratio is a better indicator of disease than calculating BMI. Big butts are something Black folks have always appreciated, and now it looks like the medical community has embraced (no pun intended) them as well. Do you love your big booty?