Body Types

There’s three main body types.

Ectomorphic: characterized by long and thin muscles/limbs and low fat storage; receding chin, usually referred to as slim.

Mesomorphic: characterized by medium bones, solid torso, low fat levels, wide shoulders with a narrow waist; usually referred to as muscular.

Endomorphic: characterized by increased fat storage, a wide waist and a large bone structure, usually referred to as fat.

Testosterone helps build and maintain muscles through exercise.

Males have around 20 times more testosterone than women.

Prominent muscles of the body include the pectoral muscles, biceps and triceps in the arms and quadriceps in the thighs.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, those people with a larger waist (apple shaped) have higher health risks than those who carry excess weight on the hips and thighs (pear shaped).

People with apple shaped bodies who carry excess weight are at greater risk of high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.

Jennifer DiDonato shares some insight into the different body types and why certain body types lose weight, gain fat, gain muscle, or stay the same more than others.

It’s sometimes not just about the numbers – sometimes genetics is to blame.