Scientists at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge have discovered a link between a woman’s genes and her body shape.

The research, conducted with Oxford University, has led to the identification of 13 new sets of genes associated with differential fat distribution.

The genes, expressed in both sexes, influence the amount of fat stored either around the abdomen or on one's hips and thighs, leading to the aptly named ‘apple’ and ‘pear’ shaped figures.

It was found that seven of the genes had greater expression in women than in men.

These findings bear relevance to previous research that revealed an association between those  people with an 'apple' shape and an increased likelihood of heart disease and Type II diabetes, compared to those who were ‘pear shaped’.

The academics said the research offered hope for drugs that could alter fat distribution and thereby decrease the health risk of ‘apple’ shaped women.

The results come from the study of DNA of almost 250, 000 people.

The same data also offered further genetic links including 18 sets of genes associated with obesity. This leaves the cumulative total of obesity related genes at 32.

Present estimations put the total number of protein-coding genes in the human genome between 20, 000 and 25, 000.

It was found that people with many of the BMI associated genes weighed 15.4lb to 19.8lb (7 to 9kg) more than those with few of them.

Dr Ruth Loos of the MRC Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge said: "These two studies are the beginning of new insights into the biology of obesity and body shape, which in turn may lead to more targeted approaches to obesity prevention and potentially to the development of new drugs.”

The 13 gene sets associated with 'apples and pears' only account for about one per cent of the variety in waist-to-hip ratios among the population. Similarly, the 32 known 'obesity genes' only account for 1.45 per cent of the variation in BMI.

So although the findings offer important insight into some of the causes of obesity and weight distribution, more research is needed.

Dr Loos also highlighted the environmental factors that affect our size. “We should not forget that, while the genetic contribution to obesity is substantial, a large part of obesity susceptibility remains down to our lifestyle."

Rebecca Dickie, a second-year Law student didn’t think the findings would come as a shock to many women. “This research didn’t surprise me at all. My mum and I have almost exactly the same body shape, as does my sister.”

The MRC Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge specialises in the causes and prevention of diabetes and obesity.

Last month they published results showing that a genetic predisposition to obesity can be reduced by around 40% with regular activity.