Contents
The article discusses:
- Classification of body types
- Brief description of the main body types
- Weight loss dependence on body type
- Specific diseases for different body types
- Determining your body type in the weight loss diet calculator
Classification of body types
Body type is one of the options human constitutional norms. In this sense, the constitution (phenotypic) characterizes the human body through the structure and indicators of the muscle and bone tissue of a particular organism – a set of stable biological, constructive and functional characteristics. These indicators are entirely due to hereditary predispositions (although it should be noted that a slight correction of the body type at an early age is still possible).
Since the body type characterizes only one of the variants of the constitutional norm, the number of body types depends on the method of determining the norm. Academician V.P. Petlenko defines five body types:
- athletic
- graceful (graceful)
- asthenic
- hypersthenic
- normosthenic
Professor Chernorutsky V.M. identifies three main body types, in part coinciding with the classification of academician V.P. Petlenko.
- asthenic (or hyposthenic) – includes the graceful body type according to V.P. Petlenko.
- normosthenic (including the athletic type according to V.P. Petlenko)
- hypersthenic
Brief description of the main body types
Hyposthenic type of constitution (physique) is characterized by a relatively low position of the diaphragm, an elongated chest (and a relatively reduced circumference), an elongated neck, narrow shoulders, long and thin limbs, usually well above average growth. The muscle mass is poorly developed. The amount of adipose tissue is usually below average – even in women. Features of the internal structure – due to the elongated chest – the heart is usually small, the heart shape is elongated, drip-shaped, the lungs are also elongated, the absorption capacity of the gastrointestinal tract is reduced.
Normosthenic body type characterized by good (much better than in the hyposthenic body type) development of muscle mass, and as a result, a strong and developed bone skeleton. The amount of adipose tissue is approximately in line with the average. Features of the internal structure – the chest is convex, the shoulders are wide, the length of the limbs is proportional. All characteristics correspond to the average.
Hypersthenic body type characterized by a high diaphragm, a relatively large heart, usually below average height relative to weight, a rounded chest – flattened from top to bottom, usually a short neck. Features of the internal structure are due to a rounded chest. The amount of adipose tissue is usually above average. Blood is high in cholesterol. The absorption capacity of the gastrointestinal tract is high.
Weight loss dependence on body type
The dependence of the propensity to accumulate adipose tissue on the body type is most pronounced in the hypersthenic type. A small excess of calories from food is enough (especially in the form of easily digestible carbohydrates) for body weight to begin to increase – this type, like no other, needs not diets for weight loss (in the literal sense of the word), but nutrition systems (such as the Sybarite diet ).
The hyposthenic body type is not predisposed to the accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue – and if obesity does occur, it is often due to extremely low physical activity (both professional and social). Diets (fast diets) will be effective.
The normosthenic body type in terms of weight loss occupies an intermediate position – it is necessary to combine diets (or nutrition systems) and increase physical activity.
Specific diseases for different body types
Regarding the main body types, it is of particular importance and the dependence of characteristic diseases (including chronic ones) on the body type. Knowledge of these predispositions to diseases makes it possible, if not completely to prevent them, then at least significantly reduce the threat of the disease by taking preventive measures (or prevent the transition to the chronic phase).
Hypostenic type physique has a predisposition to respiratory diseases, gastritis and stomach ulcers (duodenal ulcers) with low acidity. The risk of arterial hypotension is increased. In people with this type of physique, vegetative-vascular dystonia is most often observed.
Normosthenic type physique has a predisposition to diseases such as rheumatism, gastritis and gastric ulcer (duodenal ulcer) with high acidity. More often than others, representatives of this type of physique are diagnosed with hypertension.
Hypersthenic type physique has a predisposition to diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, liver diseases, metabolic disorders (including obesity). Blood pressure is usually above normal. On the other hand, representatives of this type are much better at resisting colds and respiratory diseases.
Determining your body type in the weight loss diet calculator
Currently, about 50 different methods have been proposed for assessing body type. The calculator for the selection of diets for weight loss determines the body type according to two methods (proposed by Professor VM Chernorutsky – the Pignet index and the French anthropological surgeon Paul Broca are estimated) – the results will complement each other. For each method, the ideal weight and range of acceptable weight will be determined.