When it comes to women, you'd be hard pressed to find one that isn't obsessed with the size of her thighs. However, a new study shows that the thicker your thighs, the stronger your heart may be.

While obesity and heart health have been proved connected numerous times, the study, published in British Medical Journal, shows that people with thinner thighs run a higher risk of getting heart disease. After studying more than 2,800 women (and men) around average age of 50, researchers found that heart disease more than doubled for individuals who had a thigh circumference of less than 55 centimeters (22 inches).

Let's be clear here, though - larger thigh circumference does not translate to a higher amount of body fat (put the ice cream down), but rather, more muscle. Associate Professor David Cameron-Smith of Deakin University in Melbourne says this is a powerful and growing body of research linking a sedentary lifestyle with increased heart disease.

Muscle provides a very strong protective effect against heart disease and diabetes, said Cameron-Smith, and thigh circumference and muscle mass are broad indicators of just how much physical activity you do.

"It's been known for a long time that muscle mass and strength are important determinants of longevity and health," he said. "Even moving from no activity to some activity has a dramatic effect.

Though it is usually women complaining about their thighs, this study shows that the risk associated with lower circumference is about the same for men as it is women. This could be due to the age of the participants, as women display similar body morphologies as men around menopausal age.

Professor Tim Olds of the University of South Australia's School of Health Sciences finds the study "interesting and solid" and suggests that "interventions which protect or increase muscle mass, such as weight training, may be effective in reducing cardiovascular disease even if no loss of body fat occurs."

What? So we exercise, but don't lose weight? Keep in mind the many, many benefits that come with exercise - improved respiratory and circulatory systems, higher immunity against illness, a better mood overall, and now, reduced risk of heart disease (the number one killer of Americans.)

Seems like a no-brainer. Tell us why you exercise in our poll.

P.S. You can choose as many answers as you like, we know there are many good reasons!

via Discovery