I'm A Pear

There are four common body types for women, I'm a pear. I gain weight in my hips and thighs first and that's the last place I lose it.

The descriptions (according to Wikipedia) are:

Apple (triangle downward)
Apple shaped women have broader shoulders and bust, and narrower hips. Apple shaped women have (much) higher androgen levels compared to women with other body types. Because of this high androgen level, the skeleton develops in a masculine pattern. Fat is mainly distributed in the chest, face and abdomen.

Banana or straight (rectangular)
The waist measurement is less than 9 inches smaller than the hips or bust measurement. The body has a relatively high androgen level compared to the estrogen level, and this causes the skeleton to develop in a more masculine pattern and body fat to be distributed predominantly in the abdomen, buttocks, chest and face.

Pear or spoon or bell (triangle upward)
The hip measurement is greater than the bust measurement. The distribution of fat varies, with fat tending to deposit first in the buttocks, hips and thighs. As body fat percentage increases, an increasing proportion of body fat is distributed around the waist and upper abdomen.

Hourglass shape (triangles opposing, facing in)
The hip and bust are almost of equal size with a narrow waist. Body fat distribution tends to be around both the upper body and lower body. This body type enlarges the arms, chest, hips and rear before other parts, including waist and upper abdomen. Because of the preference shown to physical symmetry, many celebrities falsely claim hourglass measurements but actually rate closer to a straight figure or apple.

According to an article by AOL Health, a study, conducted by University of Utah anthropologist Elizabeth Cashdan, found that women with a higher waist-to-hip ratio are stronger, more competitive,and better equipped to deal with stress and overall healthier than those with a smaller waist.

Further studies by The Institute of Preventive Medicine in Copenhagen (IPM) found that women with a hip measurement of 40 inches (a size 8 or 10) or more may live longer than apple-shaped women. Because pear-shaped women carry most of their fat on the hips they are less likely to gain dangerous visceral fat in their abdomens. Plus, subcutaneous fat located under the skin and stored on the hips is relatively harmless and may also result in an 86 percent reduced risk of coronary heart disease and 46 percent reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to IPM.

It's not all good though. Pear shaped women are more likely to experience more severe symptoms of menopause and develop osteoporosis because subcutaneous fat produces a less potent form of estrogen. I'm not so excited about that news at all.

You can find out more about the health benefits or risks of your body shape from the book The Body Shape Solution to Weight Loss and Wellness
by Marie Savard.


Try the Calorie Counter at MyFoodDiary.com


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