We are used to seeing a single type of female body in the media, where a fictitious perfection is extolled. However, there is a great diversity of silhouettes and constitutions that also deserve to be made visible.
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The (wonderful) diversity of bodies
The reality is that women’s bodies can be very diverse . Far from the single model that we are used to seeing, the existing variety has made it possible to identify different types of bodies based on different characteristics. On the one hand, we can discriminate between different types of bodies according to the type of metabolism, muscle mass, bone constitution and the areas where fat accumulates. In this way, each person has a certain constitution. This classification is known as somatic body types.
On the other hand, in addition to the somatic bodies, in the case of women, different types of silhouettes can be observed. Knowing this aspect is interesting when choosing clothing, since this allows choosing those that enhance and favor each type of body more. Although there are those who believe that labeling the silhouette of women is harmful, the other side of the coin is that knowing this diversity makes it possible to give visibility to non-regulatory bodies and favor their acceptance.
Liking and grooming should not be something linked to a single body type , because all women have the right to feel comfortable in their skin and self-confident. If you want to know your body well and show off each part of it in the best way, in this article we are going to comment on the somatic body types and the different female silhouettes.
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The three types of somatic bodies
To begin with, let’s talk about the so-called body types. Normally, three large groups can be recognized.
- Endomorph : This type of body is characterized by a slow metabolism, so it is common for more fat to accumulate. There is a tendency to be overweight, especially when a healthy lifestyle is not maintained. This type of constitution gives rise to wider and larger bodies. One of the strengths of the endomorph body is that, with proper training, it can gain a lot of strength.
- Ectomorph : This body type is the opposite of the previous one. It is characterized by a slim build and a weight that is usually below the average in the population. There is a rather elongated bone structure and a fast metabolism, so there is hardly any weight gain. This body hardly accumulates fat and it will be difficult for it to gain muscle mass.
- Mesomorph : This type of body represents the midpoint between the previous two. In this case, the muscle mass is medium and the accumulation of fat is moderate. Women with a mesomorphic body usually have an hourglass-type silhouette, which we will talk about later.
Although these three types of somatic bodies exist, the truth is that there are no pure types in people. Instead of closed categories, we should consider the body on a continuum, where it can lean more or less towards both extremes.
What female body types are there?
Next, we are going to comment on the different types of feminine silhouettes that can be observed in women.
1. Pera
The pear-shaped body is one in which the woman has narrow shoulders and larger hips . The bust is medium in size, although the waist can vary in its pronunciation. In these women the legs are usually rather wide, while the arms are thinner. It is usual for the upper part of the body to be longer than the lower part and for the abdomen to be flat.
A woman with a pear body can have all kinds of complexions and heights. In any case, the fat tends to always accumulate in the thighs and buttocks area.
2. Hourglass
The hourglass body is the body with the most harmonious proportions between the top and the bottom . Unlike the pear type body, the hourglass is characterized by the fact that the shoulders and hips have a similar width. In this silhouette the waist is very marked, since it is narrower than the hips.
The hip area is curvaceous and the bust and buttocks are rounded. Regardless of weight, this silhouette always shows the characteristic narrowness of the waist. Similarly, even the slimmest women still show pronounced hips if they have this body type. Fat is usually distributed around the buttocks, thighs, and chest.
3. Rectangle
The rectangle body type is one in which there is an almost identical volume in the chest, hips and waist . The trunk area is wide and strong, although the legs are thinner. In this case, the hips are slightly marked and the gluteal area is flat.
In this body type, fat is deposited in the abdominal area and thighs. Unlike the hourglass silhouette, in this body type, weight gain does make the marked waist disappear.
4. Apple
Women with this body type have a straight and voluminous silhouette, with a wide trunk and a slightly accentuated waist . The abdomen is usually bulky and the width of the shoulders and hips is similar. The legs are thin and the stature is usually rather short. Overweight and fluid retention, which is distributed evenly throughout the body, is common in the body of the apple.
5. Inverted Triangle
The inverted triangle body is one in which the shoulders are much wider than the hips , with a minimally pronounced waist. This silhouette usually implies a narrow pelvis and flattened buttocks, concentrating the volume in the chest area. Sporty women tend to be the ones with this body type. In this case, if there is excess weight, it is distributed throughout the body, so that the triangular silhouette can become an apple type.
6. Column
The body with this type of silhouette is one with a slim appearance, with narrow shoulders, a small chest and a barely marked waist . It is common for women with a column body to be tall, with long limbs although proportionate to the trunk. In these cases it is usually difficult to gain weight, although if this happens, it accumulates in the abdominal area and thighs.
A reflection on the diversity of bodies and fatphobia
Although it is true that more and more people give visibility to the diversity of bodies and the imperfection that makes us human, there is still a long way to go in terms of body acceptance. Fatphobia continues to be a widespread phenomenon in society that constitutes an obstacle to achieving real acceptance of all silhouettes .
At the end of the day, this consists of hatred, rejection and violence towards fat people for the mere fact of being fat. This feeling of contempt towards those who do not conform to the regulations is something that has permeated us to such an extent that we often adopt fat-phobic behaviors without even realizing it. In this way, we experience a bias that leads us to develop prejudices towards overweight people.
We assume that fat people are unhappy, lack the will to lead a healthy lifestyle, or are doomed to failure . It’s hard, but the reality is that these thoughts are present in the majority of the population whenever someone is referred to as overweight or obese. Living in a society that worships thinness is not an easy task. It is enough to be a little overweight or have a broad complexion to begin to feel guilt and shame related to one’s appearance.
This condemnation of people with bodies that do not conform to the established ideal of beauty is justified with supposed arguments in favor of health. This is curious, since it is assumed that thinness and health are always synonymous, that all people with large bodies have poor health or that the fact that someone suffers from obesity gives license to massacre and reject their person in more or less explicit ways.
It is not about forcing a movement like body positive, which tries to turn love handles, body hair or stretch marks into something beautiful. With this type of philosophies we fall into the same mistake as always, which is to look for something to be beautiful in order to achieve its acceptance. The well-being of people, and particularly that of women (those who suffer most from the pressure to always be perfect), will not be achieved by making them believe that they are beautiful regardless of their appearance.
Instead, it would be better to bet on a realistic acceptance, in which the body itself is cared for and respected even though there are parts of it that we do not like so much or do not fit the aesthetically ideal. Regardless of whether your body is an apple, a pear, a column or an hourglass, embrace it with its pluses and minuses, naturally accept the parts that you like the most and those that you least like to feel comfortable in your own skin.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.