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by Arnold Kuntz Ph. D. (Author)
Bodies come in different shapes and sizes. If you have a higher percentage of muscle than body fat, you may have what is known as a mesomorph body type. People with mesomorphic bodies may not have much trouble gaining or losing weight. They may bulk up and maintain muscle mass easily. Why does body type matter? It's an aspect of your unique body. Knowing your body type may help you meet your diet and fitness goals. The mesomorph body type tends to include a medium build with higher-than-average muscular development and relatively low body fat. People may describe it as a naturally athletic physique.William Sheldon first introduced the term mesomorph in the 1940s as one of three body types, or somatotypes. These somatotypes are general categories that many people might feel describes their body type. Some people may think that they have a combination of somatotypes, while others might not fit into any of the categories. Mesomorphs tend to be athletic and strong due to their high muscle-to-fat ratio, which might give them a muscular chest, shoulders, and limbs. Their weight distribution around the body is usually relatively even. People with a mesomorph-type body gain muscle and weight easily. Typically, they are able to lose weight quickly, but they can also find it easy to gain fat. Therefore, mesomorphs may need to watch their calorie intake or stay active to avoid gaining weight. A combination of weight training and cardio usually works best for mesomorphs. People with mesomorph-type bodies tend to be suited to sports and have good posture. For example, many studies suggest that athletes in basketball, boxing, martial arts, strength training, swimming, track and field, and volleyball typically have mesomorphic characteristics.
