The Uniqueness of Your Body
Line up about three to five people together, and you will be surprised (or not) to find out they are not the same in their physical outlook. Much like many other things in the human body, no two people have body types exactly the same, no matter how similar they may seem. Naturally, even children born from the same womb will have different body types and shapes. Although we may not be able to pinpoint the exact cause, the contributing factors are not implausible.
The Types of Body
Experts and scientists as far back as the 20th century gave us different types of human somatotypes. Notably, a psychologist, Dr. William Sheldon, gave three categories of body types. He gave them as ectomorphs, mesomorphs and endomorphs. He gave these categories based on height, weight, front, side and back views
We believe every other body type falls into one of these categories, and some people have a mix of two or more.
Ectomorphs are visibly noticeable by their thin, long, and lanky features. Their bodies are poorly muscled, and people with this type of body find it difficult to gain weight.
Endomorphs are visibly characterised by their soft and rounded body type, and they are easily susceptible to being overweight because of the presence of more body fat for people with such body types.
Mesomorphs are characterised by more muscle mass and broad shoulders, with a compact and athletic look.
Other Body Types?
Different research works that came after William Sheldon’s have criticised these three body types, stating that they are unreliable and subjective.
Because of this, other researchers have posited other body types, such as ectomorphic-mesomorph, mesomorphic-ectomorph, endomorphic-ectomorph, etc. This means that some body types combine two or more features from the three categories that Dr. Sheldon gave and should be regarded as unique body types.
Although there may not be an exhaustive or conclusive report on the body types, the fact remains that there are different types.
The different body types also suggest the type of physical activity, jobs, environment, and professions that one can undertake.
Despite differing opinions, we believe that body types also influence nutrition, specifically the types of food we consume and how we consume it. This is because different body types require different nourishment and maintenance strategies.
Eating Right
The different body types have been identified, but nutrition, exercise, and other factors can change them. It’s not impossible for a skinny and lanky person to transform into an endomorph with more body fat and a rounded shape and also an endomorph into a mesomorph. All these changes are possible and can be achieved mostly through feeding, but we are not discussing transitioning today.
Our focus is on eating right for your body type. Whatever your body type is at the moment, there is a nutritional style that fits it for its maintenance. Many people who are comfortable with their body type need to maintain it through proper nutrition.
If you are an ectomorph, chances are that you will require more intake of food with high calories and energy sources because ectomorphs burn calories quickly even in a state of rest and at a high rate of metabolism. This means your body breaks down food fast, and you may likely need to eat more times than others to combat the ensuing hunger. This body type has a high tolerance for carbs, and because of this, the major nutritional requirements should be carbohydrates and a bit of lean protein to supplement.
A high intake of carbohydrates is not advisable for an endomorph because the body has a low tolerance for carbohydrates. The body breaks down carbohydrates and stores them as sugar and fat, which increases the risk of diabetes. Endomorphs should eat meals that include equal amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats.
As a mesomorph body type owner, your body warrants a higher level of calorie intake to help it build muscle mass and so requires a higher level of protein intake than other body types. Nutritional requirements for this body type will feature complex carbs, proteins, and fats in various types.
In all of these, it is worthy of note that basic nutritional rules for healthy living apply to all three or more body types.
Are you still confused or unsure about your body type and the type of nutrition that best suits it?
Book a free consultation with our dietitian, and we will help you identify what works best for your body type.
