What's your Body Type?

Why is it that my boyfriend can eat a block of cheese at midnight and not gain an ounce, but I'll gain 3 pounds eating half a bagel with the middle scooped out before noon? A winner of the genetic lottery clearly I am not.

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 Gynaeoid ("guy-noid") body type and it applies to women only.

In the new body type classifications, the Gynaeoid ("guy-noid") body type is characterized by "excessive estrogens promote fat deposition around the lower parts of the body as well as cellulite". "Pear-shaped" is a accurate description for Gynaeoid body type.

Gynaeoids 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 Gynaeoid body type.

Gynaeoid 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., losing pounds and inches from the lower regions is more difficult.

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

It's no coincidence that Android is synonymous to androgyny: Android women tend to be "boyish" in the hip area. They are shaped more like ruler than an hour-glass. The waistline is not accentuated.

World-re-known entertainer Madonna is a perfect example of the Android body type.

Android women have an anabolic metabolism, which favors body building tendencies. Like the Mesomorph, Android body types build muscle fairly easily. They also tend be mentally tough as well.

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.

The prevailing myth is that Endomorphs have trouble losing weight. Ectomorphs can't keep seem to gain weight, and Mesomorphs have the best of both worlds - that is they can eat whatever they want and never gain an ounce.

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.

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

To Your Health & Well-Being.

Jay Greene