Each person’s body is different in terms of size and shape. A person’s body type is determined after puberty, but it may change according to the amount of activity, eating habits, lifestyle, and hormonal changes. In this article, we will explore different body types, so stay tuned.
What is the meaning of body type?
The body type of each person is determined according to the distribution of fat and muscle in his body. Some people are tall and lean, while others are more curvy. Similarly, some people find it difficult to gain weight, while others find it difficult to lose weight.
Men’s body types
In the 40s, a psychologist named William H. Sheldon proposed the concept of body types or somatotypes. Some people think that this type of classification is only for men, but it can be used to define women’s body types as well. Based on this classification of body types, people are placed in 3 different categories according to the amount of thinness of the person or the ease of storing fat in the body.
1. Ectomorph body type
People with this body type have a thin and elongated appearance, and their fat and muscle volume are less, and they can hardly gain weight. They may even eat a lot of food, but their appearance does not change, and often, gaining weight is their biggest goal in life. Models in the fashion world have an ectomorph body type.
2. Endomorph body type
Endomorph body type is seen in people who have more fat and muscle and gain weight quickly. However, they are not always overweight. Even if someone with this body type gains weight, they may still appear thinner than they are.
Being an endomorph does not mean you are doomed to be weak. You can still look quite strong and be as healthy and fit as older, more muscular people. But if you want to gain weight, you need to eat more than before. Marilyn Monroe and American football offensive players are examples of endomorph body types.
3. Mesomorph body type
Athletic and strong people have this type of body. They are not overweight or underweight. People who are mesomorphs can achieve a good body shape more quickly than the other two types. Building muscle and burning fat is relatively simple for this type of person. Swimmers and volleyball players are in this category.
Mixed body types
1. Ecto mesomorph
This body type is seen especially in the world of athletes who have beautiful and admirable bodies. Men and women with the ectomesomorph body type are fit. These people are lean and agile and have a muscular body. Their torso is also V-shaped, and they have strong (not bulky) legs and arms.
2. Meso endomorph
Among mixed body types, meso-endomorph is the most common. Many bodybuilders and athletes in sports where body contact is expected (such as football) have this body type. The characteristics of this body shape are thick arms and legs and a broad chest. The body of these people keeps water and a layer of fat on top of their muscles.
3. Ecto-endomorph
Usually, this body composition is acquired; that is, someone with an ectomorph body composition has added a lot of fat to his body due to improper nutrition, inactivity, or a combination of these two. These people usually have elongated fleshy arms and legs and thin bones; their mid-body is soft, and their breasts are sagging.
Types of women’s body types
Women have more body fat than men. Their bodies are also curvier due to wider hips and larger breasts and hips and thighs. In the following, we have examined women’s body types.
1. Triangular or pear-shaped
The shoulders of people with this body type are narrower than their hips. The most weight distribution of these people is in the hips, thighs, and pelvis.
2. inverted triangle
When the lower half of the body is smaller than the upper half, and the shoulders are more comprehensive than the hips, the body type is an inverted triangle. People with this body type gain weight in the upper body and abdominal areas. They also have larger chests and narrower hips.
3. rectangular
The hip and shoulder width of these people are the same, and their waist circumference is small and relatively the same size as other parts of their body.
4. hourglass
When the upper and lower halves of the body are the same width, the body shape is hourglass. The waist of these people is smaller than their chest and pelvis.
5. Oval or apple-shaped
Another type of body type is oval or apple-shaped. In this body form, the lower and upper halves of the body are narrow. People with this body type gain weight in the abdomen and chest and have little legs.
What factors determine body shape?
- Genetics;
- gender;
- Age;
- diet ;
- The amount of physical activity.
Changing the amount of physical exercise and diet may affect a person’s body shape. For example, if a person has an ectomorph type and wants to gain weight despite needing more effort, he can achieve this goal by following a proper diet and regular exercise.
How do we create a better mental image of our body?
Sometimes, people are not satisfied with their body shape. For example, a person whose body is more curved wishes to have a rectangular body or vice versa. Social networks especially have made people look for the ideal body shape or type, but in reality, there is no such thing, and the health of the body is the most essential thing that you should pay attention to.
If you want to get a better idea of what your body looks like, consider these points:
- Remember that beauty is not necessarily about appearance.
- Hang out with people who have a positive mindset.
- Avoid self-criticism.
- Wear comfortable clothes that boost your confidence.
- Be less influenced by the appearance of people on social networks because, most of the time, they do not show the reality.
It is essential to believe that everybody is beautiful and different in every shape, and the appearance of each person’s body only describes him to a certain extent. If you suffer from narcissistic disorder, be sure to seek help from a specialist.
How do you recognize your body type?
In the following, we have written a test to identify the body type, which includes three-choice questions. Note how many times your answer was A, B, or C. If most of your answers are A, your body type is ectomorph, and if you chose B or C, most of all, you are mesomorph or endomorph, respectively.
If your answer numbers for two options are relatively the same, for example, 5 and 5 or even 6 and 4, you probably have a mixed body type. For instance, if your answers are divided between options A and B, you have an ecto-mesomorph body type, and if you chose options B and C almost equally, you are a meso-endomorph. The number of equal or nearly equal answers between options A and C indicates that you have an ecto-endomorph body type.
Body type test
1. When you look at your body in the mirror, which of the following parts stands out the most?
a) bone, b) muscle, c) fat
2. How do your shoulders compare to your hips?
a) The width of my shoulders is less than my hips.
b) Their width is almost as big as my hips.
c) My shoulders are more comprehensive than my hips.
3. Which of the following objects is most similar to your body?
a) pencil
b) hourglass
c) pear
4. If you hold one wrist with the middle finger and thumb of the other hand:
a) My middle finger and thumb are slightly overlapping.
b) My middle finger and thumb are hard to touch.
c) My middle finger and thumb do not meet.
5. If you wanted to gain weight, which statement best describes your effort?
A) It is difficult for me to gain muscle or body fat.
b) I can quickly gain or lose weight.
c) It is easy to gain weight, but I can hardly lose weight.
6. What did you look like when you were a teenager or a young adult?
a) My body looked stretched and thin.
b) My body looked strong and plump.
c) My body looked firm and soft.
7. What happens to your body if you exercise regularly and then don’t exercise for a few months?
A) The volume of my body’s muscles decreases quickly.
b) My body will not change much.
c) My body becomes very soft, and I may gain weight.
8. When you wear tight jeans, where on your body do the pants stick the most?
A) It doesn’t stick, and I must use a belt.
b) My muscular thighs stick to the pants and make them a bit difficult to wear.
c) The pants stick to my stomach or hips.
9. When you eat a high-carb meal (like a plate of pasta or several slices of pizza), how do you feel afterward?
A) I am as usual, and I have no problem.
b) I feel good overall, but I feel like my stomach muscles are very tight or my stomach is full.
c) Most of the time, I feel tired or bloated a few hours later.
10. How is your bone structure?
A) I have small bones.
b) I have medium bones.
c) I have relatively big bones.
Conclusion
Everyone’s body is unique. However, people can be placed in different categories regarding body shape. Ectomorph, endomorph, and mesomorph are body types, each with its characteristics. Unfortunately, some people are unsatisfied with their body shape; in such a situation, they should consult a specialist and not change their diet arbitrarily.
you say
Which of the body types we introduced in this article describes you best? Please share your opinion with us and other users. Also, if this article is helpful to you, you can send it to your friends.
Warning! This article is only for educational purposes, and to use it, it is necessary to consult a doctor or specialist.
