Woman with an hourglass shape are a small percent of the population.
Losing and gaining weight can be more difficult depending on a woman's body type. Diet and exercise can influence weight loss, but for some women, body type may play a bigger role. There are three main body types, although not all women fit perfectly in any single category. It's common for a woman to have characteristics that fall into one, two or all three categories of body types.
Ectomorph
Examples of an ectomorphic body type can be seen in supermodel Kate Moss or the actress Gwyneth Paltrow. This is the "model type" body: lean, long and lanky with a small bone structure. The ectomorphic body will have narrow hips and a small waist. While envied for their thin bodies, women with ectomorphic body types often struggle to gain weight and muscle.
Mesomorph
A woman who easily gains weight near her hips and thighs can fall into the mesomorph category. These women will have a more athletic-looking frame with broad shoulders, narrow waists and broad hips---a body type otherwise known as the hourglass figure. The actress Halle Berry is one example. Mesomorphs tend to gain both muscle and fat easier than ectomorphs.
Endomorph
Women with endomorphic body types tend to be overweight and are predisposed to gain weight, often in the stomach area. Women with endomorphic body types, such as Roseanne Barr, will generally have ample breasts, shorter legs, a high waist and rounder physique. While muscle gain is easier for the endomorph body type, these muscles can be underdeveloped.
Mixed
It is common for a woman to have body characteristics that fall into each category. While some may have characteristics limited to one body type, this is rare and oftentimes body types will be mixed. Ecto-mesomorphs and endo-mesomorphs mainly have mesomorphic traits but share similar characteristics with the other two types such as a tendency to gain fat easily (endomorph) or trim waists (ectomorph).
Tags: body type, body types, ectomorphic body, fall into, Women with endomorphic, characteristics that