Doctor Says Thigh Muscle May Be a Clue to Longevity

Dr. Amir Khan, a well-known British physician and television presenter, says thigh size may help indicate long-term health and life expectancy. In an Instagram video, he argued that strong thighs with more muscle can be one of the most important signs of healthy aging, and said, “Thick thighs can really save lives.” He added that people with thinner thighs face a significantly higher risk of heart disease and early death.

Khan stressed that the issue is not fat in the area, but muscle mass. “We were taught to focus on body weight, reduce our measurements and get rid of fat,” he said. “But what if one of the most important predictors of our future health is actually how much muscle we have?”

To support his claim, Khan cited a 2009 study published in the medical journal BMJ. The study followed thousands of participants for more than a decade and found that people with smaller thigh circumference were more likely to develop heart disease and die younger. He said this does not mean larger thighs magically prevent disease, but that they often reflect better muscle mass.

Khan explained that leg muscles, especially the thighs, are an important store of energy and protein, help regulate blood sugar, and support metabolic and heart health. Low muscle mass, he said, is often linked to inactivity, declining fitness, and a higher risk of chronic illness. He recommended regular activities that work the leg muscles, including brisk walking, climbing stairs, cycling, squats, and other resistance exercises, saying the goal is not appearance but better function and lower future health risks.