Body Type: A Comprehensive Review of Its Definition, Measurement, and Implications
Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive review of body type, including its definition, measurement, and implications. Body type is an important concept in the fields of health, nutrition, and fitness, and has been studied extensively to better assess individual differences in body composition and shape. In particular, body type has been used to predict risk for various health outcomes, including mortality, chronic disease, and body weight. Moreover, research has indicated that body type may be associated with an individual’s lifestyle and dietary habits. In this review, the focus is on the various methods used to assess body type, including anthropometric measurements, physical activity, and self-reported measures. Additionally, the implications of body type are discussed, including its potential for predicting health outcomes and influencing health behaviors. Finally, potential directions for future research are highlighted.
Keywords: body type, anthropometry, physical activity, health behaviors
Introduction
Body type is a concept that has been studied in various fields, including health, nutrition, and fitness. It is an important factor in assessing individual differences in body composition and shape. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of body type, including its definition, measurement, and implications.
Definition and Measurement of Body Type
Body type typically refers to an individual’s physical characteristics, such as height, weight, body shape, and body composition (Garn, 1980). It is typically distinguished from body size, which is defined as the dimensions of an individual’s body (e.g., height, weight, and body mass index (BMI)) (Garn, 1980; Institute of Medicine, 2005). While body size is often used to assess an individual’s risk for health outcomes, body type is considered to be a better predictor of health-related behaviors and outcomes (Garn, 1980; Institute of Medicine, 2005).
Anthropometric measurements are commonly used to assess body type. These measurements include height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio (Garn, 1980). In addition to anthropometric measurements, physical activity and self-reported measures are often used to assess body type. Physical activity is typically assessed by self-reported questionnaires, such as the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) (Craig et al., 2003). Self-reported measures are more subjective, but they can provide valuable insight into an individual’s body image and overall health (Garn, 1980; Institute of Medicine, 2005).
Implications of Body Type
Body type has been studied extensively to better understand individual differences in health outcomes and behaviors. Research has indicated that body type may be associated with mortality, chronic disease, and body weight (Garn, 1980; Institute of Medicine, 2005). For example, individuals who are overweight or obese have been found to have an increased risk of mortality and chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (Yancey et al., 2003). Additionally, research has indicated that body type may be associated with an individual’s lifestyle and dietary habits (Garn, 1980; Institute of Medicine, 2005). For example, individuals with a higher BMI have been found to engage in less physical activity and have poorer dietary habits than those with a lower BMI (Yancey et al., 2003).
Conclusion
This review provides an overview of body type, including its definition, measurement, and implications. Body type is an important factor in assessing individual differences in body composition and shape and in predicting risk for various health outcomes. Research has indicated that body type may be associated with mortality, chronic disease, and lifestyle and dietary habits. Further research is needed to better understand the implications of body type and its potential for influencing health behaviors.
References
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Garn, S.M. (1980). The evolutionary and ecological significance of human body type. American Journal of Human Biology, 2(2), 97–114.
Institute of Medicine. (2005). Dietary reference intakes: The essential guide to nutrient requirements. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
Yancey, A.K., Kumanyika, S., & Brownson, R.C. (2003). Body size and physical activity: Implications for health. Annual Review of Public Health, 24(1), 59–78.