The Body Shape of Women: How Your Health is Impacted

In the growing epidemic of obesity in the United States, many adults look to their body shape in hopes of finding a diet or weight loss program that is specific for their shape and size.

In medical research involving weight loss, some nutritionist and dieticians are following a health recommendation which includes food recommendations based upon the shape of a woman's body. Believing our physical shape, similar to an apple or a pear, can predict future risks for conditions such as diabetes, cancer and even osteoporosis.

Under this common obesity and weight loss process, nutritionists believe the future of our health can be predicted through the size of our bottoms, hips and thighs. With women, generally, classified as either apple or pear shaped, the fat distribution is, therefore, carried differently and, as a result, will predispose certain diseases upon specific body types.

Of the two body types, most health care professionals agree that women with apple shaped figures, that is, figures in which weight is carried predominantly around the torso and chest, tend to suffer a greater incidence of cardiovascular complications.

In addition to cardiovascular risks, women who are apple shaped also tend to suffer a great incidence of irregular glucose levels, often leading to diabetes, and complications associated with irregular menstrual cycles and stress.

Conversely, women who are pear shaped also carry a degree of health risks. Most notably, women with pear shaped figures, those who carry more weight around the buttocks, hips and thighs, tend to suffer a greater incidence of varicose veins, due to poor lower leg circulation, and, as a result, may also suffer greater psychological complications due to poor self body image and eating disorders. So, which body shape is better?