What’s the size of your *ss got to do with it?

The theory of body types or “Somatypes” categorizes basic unisex human body types: the Endomorph, characterized by an abundance of body fat; the Mesomorph, marked by a well-developed lean, musculature; and the Ectomorph, distinguished by a lack of either much fat or muscle tissue.

Body typing has been around fitness and bodybuilding circles for decades. It was pioneered by American physician, Dr. William H. Sheldon around 1940.

Dr. Sheldon’s original body types have been renamed in recent years. Ectomorphs have become “Thyroids“; Endomorphs became “Lymphatics” and Mesomorphs turned into “Androids“.

A new body type category was created too. It’s called the “Gynaeroid” (“guy-ner-oid”) body type and it applies mostly to women.  Although, come to think of it, a “pear-shaped” man probably does exist in nature.  Somewhere.

Anyway, the Gynaeroid body type is curvaceous and hippy with a small, tapered waist. “Pear-shaped” is a accurate description for Gynaeroid body type.

Gynaeroids tend to have small to medium shoulders and the breasts vary in size. The hips and thighs curve outwards and weight gain occurs only below the waistline.

Actress-Singer Jennifer Lopez is the poster child for the Gynaeroid body type.

Gynaeroid women tend to have a predominance of the estrogen which targets the uterine region, the hips, thighs and breasts.

If weight loss is attempted by following a very low fat low calorie diet, there is a reduction from the breasts, shoulders and arms etc., but usually not from the thighs and butt area.

In contrast, the Android or Mesomorph body types are characterized by broad shoulders, a large rib cage and strong shapely muscular limbs.

Android body types are somewhat straight up and down with a narrow pelvis and hips that do not curve outwards. The waistline is not accentuated.

The entertainer, Madonna Ritchie, is a perfect example of the Android body type.

Android women have an anabolic metabolism, which favors body building tendencies. Strength, both physical and mental, are prominent characteristics of Androids.

Weight gain occurs in the upper part of the body and on the front of the abdomen, so that an “apple-shaped” torso may develop.

Overall, these body type characteristics are very broad descriptions.

Although they do exist, it is rare to find anyone who is a pure “ecto”, “endo”, “meso” “andro” or “gyno”.

We tend to be unique combinations of each inheriting genetic characteristics from our family gene pool.

For example, I have an Ectomorpic/Thyroid frame (narrow, thin bones), but my body composition is solidly Android/Mesomorph with annoying Endomorphic/Lymphatic tendencies around my mid-section (many inches to pinch) and rear end parts.

It’s extremenly important to know which body type you most favor because what often works for one body type when it comes to diet, exercise and weight loss (or gain) can be absolutely disastrous for another.

Getting to know your body type combination is THE KEY to taking the right action to improve your current health situation for the better.

To Your Health & Well-Being.

~Jay