There are many different body types. and advice you receive regarding weight loss should be appropriate to your specific body style or type. Inherited genes determine your basic body type as well as your susceptibility to weight gain. Recognizing your body type can help you develop a successful weight-loss program.
Somatotype
The concept of somatotypes, or body types, can help you better understand your body. There are three different body types: ectomorph, endomorph and mesomorph. Evaluating body type is important because there can be an association between somatotype and diseases, a fact highlighted in a 1997 study looking at somatotype and cardiovascular risk published in the European Heart Journal. However, individuals can be a combination of the body types.
Ectomorphs
The characteristics of this category include narrow, long, thin arms and legs; little body fat; and long, lean muscle. Ectomorphs have a fast metabolism that burns calories quickly; they find it hard to put on weight so they can be more relaxed about calories. The best exercise for them involves short bouts of high-intensity aerobic exercise rather than long bouts of low-intensity calorie-burning aerobic exercise.
Mesomorphs
The characteristics of this category are an athletic muscular frame with wider shoulders and a narrow waist. A mesomorph body type responds well to weight training; however they gain fat more easily than ectomorphs so they must adopt appropriate dietary controls.
Endomorphs
The characteristics of this category are a medium to large frame, short limbs and a rounder figure. Weight loss is more difficult for endomorphs, and they need to watch their calorie intake. Endomorphs find it very easy to gain weight, but this weight is fat rather than muscle. To help achieve weight loss, endomorphs must adopt both cardio and resistance exercise.
Body Composition
No matter what body type you inherit, you must work at your body composition throughout your life. Metabolically active lean tissue wastes with age, contributing to a slowing metabolism and increased risk of developing fat. If you don't adapt your diet and exercise plan, your body composition will alter and you will become more endomorphic as you age. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, healthy adults age 18 to 65 need at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity five days each week.
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