Firstly let us have a look at what does apple shaped body or pear shaped body mean. When the fat in the body is concentrated more around the abdomen then that body type is known as ‘apple-shaped’. If the fat in the body is concentrated around the hips and buttocks region it is termed as ‘pear shaped’.
Now that we know what does apple-shaped and pear-shaped mean let us analyze ourselves and determine out body types. To know your body-type you must know your waist-to-hip ratio. To calculate the ratio, divide the waist measurement by your hip measurement. Women with waist-to-hip ratios of more than 0.8 and men with waist-to-hip ratios of more than 1.0 are ‘apple-shaped’.
You can also check our central obesity by measuring your waist circumference. Women with central obesity have a waist circumference of about more than 35 inches, while men with central obesity have a waist circumference of more than 40 inches.
Now let us have a look at whether it is better to be apple shaped or pear shaped. The fat distribution in the body makes a difference in obesity and related problems. Apple shaped people are at more risk of diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, gall bladder disease, liver disease and sudden death. It also increases their chances of type-2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Apple shaped people are at greater risk of hormonal cancers like breast cancer, ovulation dysfunction and sleep apnea. Therefore people with central obesity are at a greater risk of weight related problems and need to monitor their weight regularly.
The only good news for apple shaped people is that they can lose weight faster as compared to people with pear shaped bodies. Fat cells in the central region are large and metabolically more active. This makes it easier for them to lose weight around the waist. Conversely, the fat cells are smaller in the lower body and are metabolically less active. Therefore it takes a major effort to shed the extra pounds from the hips.
But at the end of the day, whether you are apple-shaped or pear-shaped, to be obese is to be ill.
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