body shapes categories...

Body Shape

Most women generally fall into a single body shape classification - the Apple shape, or the Pear shape. These body shapes have significant implications for both health and weight loss.

However recent research has shown that a woman's figure can be classified in a number of different ways.

Hourglass

Bust and hips are basically the same circumference - though the bust can be up to 1" larger than the hips. The waist is then 9" or more smaller than the bust.

Spoon

Where the hips are 2" or more larger than the bust. The waist is less than 9.25" smaller than the bust.

Rectangle

Where the bust and hips are basically the same circumference. The waist is less than 9" smaller than the bust.

Triangle

The bust is 3.6" larger than the hips and the waist is less than 9" smaller than the bust.

What about Apples or Pears?

Apple and pear classifications are useful in determining body fat distribution. It is generally thought that there are more health risks for the apple shape. This can be determined by measuring your waist to hip ratio. A ratio of 0.8 or above indicates that you are an apple shape. A ratio of under 0.8 means you are a pear shape.

Apples

The apple shaped woman carries most her body fat in the abdominal region. She will generally have narrow hips, larger breasts, and a relatively large waist. Apple-shaped women have more fat surrounding their internal organs (visceral fat).

This kind of fat presents many more risks than subcutaneous fat; it decreases insulin sensitivity, raises blood pressure, and decreases levels of 'good' (HDL) cholesterol. These are all key indicators of heart disease risk and diabetes risk.

The higher the waist to hip ratio, the higher the risk.

Pears

The pear-shaped woman carries most of her body fat around the hips, thighs, and buttocks. She will generally have a smaller upper body (smaller breasts) and a heavier lower body.

The risks for the overweight pear-shaped woman are quite different to the apple shape. A pear-shaped woman will typically be more susceptible to cellulite and varicose veins - and to eating disorders. However the pear-shaped woman does not carry the same kind of health problems that the apple shape does.

Due to popular culture's obsession with rail-thin women, there is considerable pressure on women to be a certain shape. However even when a pear-shaped woman loses weight - she is still a pear shape. This unrealistic pressure can lead many (often young women) down the path to disordered eating and body image problems.

Weight Loss for Apples and Pears

There are some who believe that a specific dietary regimen will help each body shape.:

Apples
Lower carbohydrate diet (avoiding processed and 'white' carbs).
Pears
Lower fat diet (avoiding full fat foods; cheeses, butter).