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Bodies are all unique and come in many shapes and sizes. To help understand bodies, researchers and other healthcare experts classify bodies into three main types: ectomorph (long and lean), mesomorph (more muscular), and endomorph (more curves and greater body fat). The process of classifying a body type is called somatotyping.
Knowing your body type can help you understand aspects of your health, including how your body may gain weight, lose weight, build muscle, and change with age. Knowing your body type can also help you determine what health conditions you may be at risk for.
Take this quiz to see where your body might fit based on the characteristics of different body types:
Body types, also called somatotypes, are used to categorize body shape based on physical characteristics and body composition. The concept was introduced in the 1940s by researcher and psychologist William Sheldon. He classified people into three physical body types. He also connected these types to predictions about personality and behavior, which is not backed by research.
Today, somatotyping focuses on physical characteristics and body composition. Body types differences are based on fat, muscle, and skeletal frame.
There are three main body types: ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph. The classifications can be applied to any body, regardless of sex, because they focus on how easily a person stores fat and builds muscle.
| Ectomorph | Mesomorph | Endomorph | |
| Appearance | Slim and lean with less body fat and less muscle; slender shoulders and hips | Naturally more muscular and athletic-looking; medium frame | Larger bone structure; larger waist; looks rounder |
| Weight changes | Has more difficulty gaining weight | Can more easily gain or lose weight | Gains and stores fat more easily; may have more difficulty losing fat |
| Metabolism | Fast metabolism | High metabolism | Slower metabolism |
| Ability to build muscle mass | Hard | Easy | Easy |
| Typical examples | Runway models | Professional athletes | Some football players and gymnasts |
Other Body Type Classifications
Since every body is unique, fitting them neatly into specific categories is hard. For that reason, researchers also acknowledge hybrid body types. These blend characteristics from two different body types and include:
- Ecto-mesomorph: A combination of both ectomorph and mesomorph characteristics
- Meso-endomorph: Features from both mesomorph and endomorph body types
- Ecto-endomorph: Ectomorph and endomorph characteristics
Knowing your body type can help you figure out how easily you gain weight and build muscle. This can help you determine:
Activities you may be good at: Your body type might naturally perform better doing certain exercises or sports. Athletes, like basketball players, can use body type information to decide which position they will succeed most on the team.
Exercises to focus on: Once you know your body type, you can learn how to create exercises to help accomplish your workout goals. For example, an endomorph can manage weight by creating a fitness routine with strength and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). An ectomorph may focus on doing more strength training to build muscle.
Diet: Knowing your body type can help you set dietary goals. For example, because mesomorph body types have a high metabolism, you may need more protein or calories to accommodate the fast rate at which food is turned into energy.
Health condition risks: Some body types may be associated with certain conditions. While more research is needed, studies have explored links between body type and many diseases, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
