The three basic human body types

In 1940 the American psychologist William Sheldon, introduced the theory of somatypes. His theory described three basic human body types: the endomorph, characterized by a preponderance of bodyfat; the mesomorph, marked by a well-developed musculature; and the ectomorph, distinguished by a lack of either much fat or muscle tissue.

We all display some characteristics from each body type although one type will usually dominate. Categorizing your body types is important for you to understand how to lose weight more effectively. Body type endomorphs tend to struggle with weight control but the correct methods can help result in effective fat loss!

The ectomorph is small framed and thin and has narrow shoulders and hips. He may have trouble gaining weight and building muscle. An ectomorph needs to eat much carbohydates to build muscles.

The mesomorph is considered to be a normal weight: not fat, not skinny. He packs on muscle easily, can lose weight easily (up to a certain point), and has shoulders that are wider than his hips.

The endomorph is what's considered pear shaped meaning his hips are wider than his shoulders. He can gain weight easily and is curvy. An endomorph should eat less carbohydrates.

See the picture below to find you body type:

The three basic human body types

Dutch View this article in Dutch: Lichaamstypen.

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 | Posted in: Fitness | Posted by: Jeremy Walters

Comments

bobby wrote:

pls send me the detailes

# 20/12/2008 09:07

sup wrote:

this sux

# 08/01/2009 11:28

pimp wrote:

y do they all have afros

# 08/01/2009 12:19

jezz wrote:

bobby: ecto have very thin body... they may be able to eat more without gaining weight...meso: large bones and heavy museles can give higer body weight.... endo: may have trouble in maintaining body weight...

# 22/01/2009 16:24

myname wrote:

why did you notice that they all had afros?
what about the fat guy? what about the fact that none of them have genitalia?

# 02/03/2009 18:30

lee london wrote:

think iman ecto.

# 19/03/2009 16:20

ryan day wrote:

is dere any way u can make it easyer for me.......... because they look all the sme to me

# 23/06/2009 12:38

gregory wrote:

hmmm....I go from meso to endo all of the time...so what am I? A fat meso, or a small endo? Jeez!

# 06/07/2009 03:04

The best wrote:

This is very interesting stuff

# 09/07/2009 21:17

Woman wrote:

....and what about women?

# 09/07/2009 21:18

sweet_sour wrote:

what??how about us? women?why it is only the pictures of the boys they are showing??????

# 15/07/2009 01:53

dear wrote:

what????????????????????

# 16/07/2009 20:46

OWUSU wrote:

PLS SEND ME THE DETAILS

# 20/07/2009 11:03

rayner wrote:

represented here-in all of it's simplicity-is a spectrum of human body types. so you may find you fall somewhere between any two of the groups. I do agree they are badly drawn images. They all look like rugby players. The same rules generally aply to M +F. I am a clasic mezzo. Have been a personal trainer for 16 yrs and have allways found it easier to put weight on than keeping it off, rather than taking it off- subtle difference. Research further and you'll find it just gets more interesting!!!!

# 28/08/2009 01:27

big mike wrote:

itsok

# 24/09/2009 13:27

ghinwa wrote:

we can take from our sester

# 09/10/2009 07:18

Master C wrote:

all these body structures are their own creations by time there will be many different kinds!

# 16/12/2009 20:26

mike wrote:

gregory is retarded, you can't change your bone structure....

# 05/01/2010 08:32

maria wrote:

wuts the main muscel

# 10/02/2010 09:33

maria wrote:

big mike how old are you
wuts the main muscel

# 10/02/2010 09:36

me wrote:

i just wanted to write something

# 10/02/2010 17:50

??? wrote:

the classic meso is shown in the picture, but ecto and meso can have too much fat.

# 20/02/2010 02:28

arjun wrote:

endomorph is what i am.. 4 years back i was 65 and now i am 120 what should i do to lose my weight

# 13/03/2010 06:34

lj wrote:

I agree that we need a pix of the female--it looks very different than what is portrayed!

# 15/08/2010 17:37

CommonSense wrote:

In reply to arjun:
If you want to loose weight, stop eating junk food and soda. If you skip dinner for 1 month and eat only two meals per day (no snacking!!!) then you will lose 10 pounds per month and keep them off (see Jared from Subway for reference). Stop the junk/fast food and use portion control, that's it people, it's not that hard to do.

# 29/09/2010 14:16

Nige wrote:

Use smaller plates to help with portion control. As said, stay away from junk food, soda, fat and processed Carbs. Eat small meals every 4 hours 4xday and exercise 5 days a week. Don't eat anything at least 2 hours b 4 bed and eat breakfast early. Walking fast, Running, Swimming, and lots light reps in gym over long period to lose weight. Good general rules but research moe yourself or find a good personal trainer and Nutritionalist. Most of all, Enjoy. P.S. Loads free info on Youtube.

# 06/11/2010 19:53

PersonBB wrote:

I love this website it Rocks

# 23/11/2010 14:35

llll;lfeldsfpahjfsdbg.kjs wrote:

Fuck this

# 23/11/2010 14:38

gen wrote:

hi,i am gen, i am an endo type at the same time a hormonal imbalance type. is there some way to cure my insecurities? tell me what should i do.... please

# 03/12/2010 02:32

krystal wrote:

im not to fat and to skiny but i would say im medium but still think im to fat its wierd and should still lose wait, i need to know how to loose it and need to know now im only 17 i dont want to get really fat and get sick im very, very consirned about my wait and what people would think of me PLEASE HELP ME

# 26/01/2011 08:37

yeye wrote:

wtf the meso is too muscular and not tall enough

# 17/07/2011 20:18

shaikh mohd aquib wrote:

my height is 6.1 inches & my weight is 143lbs..what body types i am????

# 18/09/2011 09:33

janaka wrote:

how to build up

# 15/12/2011 09:51