What Your Body Type Means for Your Health

Your body type (somatotype) – ectomorph, mesomorph or endomorph – can reveal information about your overall health. Knowing yours can help you determine which eating and exercise habits are best for you.

Your body type can influence several aspects of your health. Factors that determine your body type, such as body fat and muscle mass, can also affect your overall health.

Ectomorph

The ectomorph body shape is linear and often long, with long outlines relative to width. This means narrower shoulders and a smaller waist, long, thin limbs, and less muscle mass relative to bone length.

Ectomorph bodies have little body fat and are often tall. Gaining muscle and fat is more difficult for people with this body type.

Health risks of ectomorphs include:

• Advanced and fatal prostate cancer
• Infertility and irregular periods because low body fat can affect the hormones that control the menstrual cycle.
• Schizophrenia, a mental health problem that causes hallucinations

Mesomorph

A mesomorph body is of average build and frame and is often referred to as “athletic.” People with this body type tend to build muscle more easily. They generally have more muscle than fat.

Other features may include:

• Narrow waist compared to waist
• Square or rectangular body shape and larger chest
• Square shaped head
• Strong, muscular limbs and chest
• V-shaped shoulders and abdomen in men, or hourglass-shaped in women

Endomorph

An endomorph body has more body fat than muscle mass, especially in the abdomen (stomach). They have a broader, more compact body shape as well as a larger abdomen and waist.

Other features include rounded shoulders and features, a shorter neck, and a broad face.

Health risks related to endomorphs include:

• Depression
• Heart disease
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Infertility and irregular periods, as excess body fat can affect the hormones that control the menstrual cycle
• Obesity or body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more

Hybrid body types

Most people don’t fit into just one of these three categories. They have characteristics of several types.

Hybrid body types include:

• Ecto-mesomorph: These bodies have ectomorph and mesomorph characteristics. Common signs include a V-shaped torso, narrow waist, and strong shoulders and limbs. Top football players and gymnasts often have this type.
• Meso-endomorph: These bodies exhibit characteristics of mesomorphs and endomorphs, such as square chests and thick arms and legs. Football and rugby players often belong to this type.
• Ecto-endomorph: These bodies have a higher body fat content, often around the abdomen, while still remaining lean. They may have a slimmer upper body and a wider lower half.

How your weight is distributed can also affect your health risks.

Different body shapes include:

• Apple shaped: You have more fat stored in the abdominal area. This body shape is more associated with inflammation, diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome.
• Pear shaped: You have more fat stored in your hips and thighs. This body shape is associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome.

Your body type may change as you age. Aging, particularly in the middle decades of life, can lead to endomorphic body shapes.

Metabolism (your body’s conversion of food into energy) and physical activity levels slow down as you age. People also lose muscle mass and size, which is called sarcopeniaand add body fat more easily.

Men often gain weight until around age 55 and then lose it. Women tend to gain weight until around age 65. As a result, older people may become thinner.

Your body type reflects the factors that influence your weight. Steps for managing weight may vary depending on body type.

Ectomorph

With this body type, weight management goals often involve gaining muscle and adding weight.

You can increase your overall calorie intake, especially if you are physically active. Eat a diet rich in carbohydrates, lean protein, fiber, fresh fruits and leafy vegetables.

Mesomorph

Dietary changes may include adjusting calories. You can increase calories to build muscle or decrease them to maintain your weight.

You can adopt a “mesomorph diet”. It is rich in fresh, unprocessed foods, carbohydrates, lean proteins and healthy fats.

Endomorph

Endomorphs have a slower metabolism, so it’s easier to gain weight and harder to lose it. This makes it more difficult to reach or maintain weight goals.

You can eat a diet rich in unprocessed foods, complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Your body type is related to muscle content and bone structure. This can significantly affect athletic performance.

Certain exercises may also be more beneficial for your body type, depending on how you gain muscle and your metabolism.

Note: This doesn’t mean that only certain body types can play certain sports. However, your body type may play a role in which sports and exercises you excel at.

Ectomorphs

The tall, slim build of ectomorphs can excel at activities like cycling, swimming, or running. They can also build muscle through strength training exercises, such as weight lifting or using fitness bands.

Mesomorphs

Mesomorphs excel at a range of sports and exercises, especially those that require strength. This may include figure skating, gymnastics, soccer, rowing and swimming.

Endomorphs

Endomorphs’ larger build, bones, and weight are well suited to weightlifting and sports like soccer, rugby, boxing, and wrestling.

Fitness plans balance strength training and aerobic workouts, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT), walking and running.