When it comes to body shapes, people generally fall into one of four categories: the apple, the pear, the hourglass and the rectangle. Yes, Western society dictates the hourglass is where it's at, although not everyone can achieve such a shape. Body shape is largely determined by genetics, although your lifestyle and eating habits also play a part, Go For Your Life explains.
Shapes Explained
The body shape category descriptions are fairly self-explanatory. Apple shapes have an upper body that's larger than their lower body, like an apple. Pear shapes have a wider hip area, like a pear. Marilyn Monroe epitomized the hourglass shape, with a thin waist between proportioned upper and lower bodies. A rectangle shape, also known as athletic or straight, has very few curves and the measurements for the hips, breasts and waist are usually very close.
Shape and Weight Gain
Your body shape often determines where your weight gain will show up, Love to Know notes. Apple shape weight tends to fall around the waist while pear shapes get bigger lower hips and butts. Hourglass shapes don't have a predetermined weight gain pattern and the rectangle shape weight gain is usually evenly distributed.
Shape and Health
Your shape can play a part on your health, MayoClinic.com reports. People with apple shapes are more prone to developing a number of conditions that collectively lead to metabolic syndrome. These conditions include high blood pressure and insulin levels, abnormal levels of cholesterol and excess fat around the waist. Metabolic syndrome, in turn, leads to increased risk of diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Apple shapes are also at a greater risk for developing some types of cancer, says the Food Standards Agency. People with narrower waists, such as the pear shapes, are less likely to get heart disease, diabetes or other conditions related to metabolic syndrome.
Shape and Self-Esteem
Some people hate their natural body shapes and go to great lengths to change them, even when they are at a healthy weight, Go for Your Life says. This often results in unhealthy eating habits, eating disorders, a poor self-image and low self-esteem. Body shape often dictates fashion, with different clothing styles designed to disguise natural body shapes with visual tricks. Wearing shoulder pads, for instance, instantly beefs up the top of a pear shape or adds some curves to the rectangle.
Member Comments