How Do We Shape Up?

Whether you like it or not, your body shape is dependent on a number of factors other than diet and exercise.

Other factors governing your size and shape are;

Sex, Genes, Environment and Age

A man's fat ratio is on average 10 % lower than a female due to her reproductive potential. In order to produce offspring a female must have at least 16% body fat for crucial hormone maintenance. Men are then generally leaner and have the added advantage of a proportionally larger rib cage and upper body strength. (Learn how to measure body fat)

Because of this, women have always been superseded by males in sport, but surprisingly over the last century women have been catching up! Well, in lower body strength anyway. Men have been advancing too but not at such a dramatic pace. There's one for the girls at least!

So what else influences body shape? Well, there are two influencers you can look to straight away. Your parents and your environment. Genes passed from parents will determine body structure and even weight and its distribution. If you want to see your body shape in about 20 years time have a look at your mum and dad.

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Your environment and your upbringing also govern your build. Given the right food and nutrition whilst being active in a healthy environment can positively affect your shape. We all know it's possible to be a completely different build depending on what part of the world you originate from.

Age also plays a part in weight and its distribution. As we get older we become less active, our strength decreases and our body fat increases too.

(See article on the effects of ageing)

So what can we do to alter what we have? Have a look at the tips in the next column.

Don't jump from fad diet to fad diet. Choose to eat healthily. Diet is one of the most important influencers on weight.

Exercise regularly. Perhaps join a gym and plan an achievable exercise routine including cardiovascular and weight training. You'll feel great for it.
(try our beginners routine)

Learn to love what you have and learn to love it more by making it fitter and healthier. It is necessary to be psychologically strong as well as physically strong. You must train both mind and body to be fit.

Remember, whatever you have will look fantastic with the right effort.

(see the signs of ageing article)