Jump to content

Main menu Navigation ●Main page ●Contents ●Current events ●Random article ●About Wikipedia ●Contact us ●Donate Contribute ●Help ●Learn to edit ●Community portal ●Recent changes ●Upload file

●Create account ●Log in ●Create account ● Log in Pages for logged out editors learn more ●Contributions ●Talk

Editing Body shape

●Article ●Talk ●Read ●Edit ●View history Tools Actions ●Read ●Edit ●View history General ●What links here ●Related changes ●Upload file ●Special pages ●Page information ●Get shortened URL ●Download QR code ●Wikidata item Appearance

You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log inorcreate an account, your edits will be attributed to a username, among other benefits.

Content that violates any copyrights will be deleted. Encyclopedic content must be verifiable through citations to reliable sources.

You are about to undo an edit. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, then publish the changes below to finish undoing the edit.

If you are undoing an edit that is not vandalism, explain the reason in the edit summary. Do not use the default message only.

{{Short description|General shape of a human body}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2015}}
[[Image:Human.svg|thumb|right|[[Line art]] depiction of nude [[man]] and [[woman]] from the [[Pioneer plaque]]s. Women typically have wider hips than shoulders, while the reverse is true for men.]]
{{Human body weight}}
Human '''body shape''' is a complex phenomenon with sophisticated detail and function. The general shape or figure of a person is defined mainly by the molding of skeletal structures, as well as the distribution of [[muscle]]s and [[adipose tissue|fat]].<ref name = "Singh_2007">{{cite web | vauthors = Singh D |url=http://www.psichi.org/pubs/articles/article_548.asp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070705072209/http://www.psichi.org/pubs/articles/article_548.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-07-05 |title=An Evolutionary Theory of Female Physical Attractiveness |access-date=2011-10-09 | date = 2007 | work = Psi Chi | publisher = The National Honor Society in Psychology }}</ref> Skeletal structure grows and changes only up to the point at which a human reaches adulthood and remains essentially the same for the rest of their life. Growth is usually completed between the ages of 13 and 18, at which time the epiphyseal plates of long bones close, allowing no further growth (see [[Human skeleton]]).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.naturalheightgrowth.com/2012/08/19/lateral-synovial-joint-loading-explained-in-simple-english/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126041318/http://www.naturalheightgrowth.com/2012/08/19/lateral-synovial-joint-loading-explained-in-simple-english/ |url-status=live |archive-date=2021-01-26 |title=Lateral Synovial Joint Loading Explained In Simple English
|access-date=2021-01-31}}</ref>

Many aspects of body shape vary with gender and the [[female body shape]] especially has a complicated cultural history. The science of measuring and assessing body shape is called [[anthropometry]].

== Physiology ==
During [[puberty]], [[Virilization|differentiation]] of the male and female body occurs for the purpose of [[reproduction]]. In adult humans, [[muscle]] mass may change due to exercise, and fat distribution may change due to [[Sex hormones|hormone]] fluctuations. Inherited genes play a large part in the development of body shape.

=== Facial features ===
{{more|Facial skeleton}}
{{Multiple image
| width = 100
|image1=Nefertiti berlin.jpg 
 |alt1=Portrait sculpture of [[Nefertiti]]
 |Portrait sculpture of [[Nefertiti]]
|image2=Portrait head of Julius Caesar (1st cent. A.D.) at the Archaeological Museum of Corinth on 10 January 2020.jpg
 |alt2=Portrait sculpture of [[Julius Caesar]]
 |Portrait sculpture of [[Julius Caesar]]
|footer=Classical female and male faces
}}
Due to the action of testosterone, males may develop these [[face|facial]]-bone features during puberty:
* A more prominent brow bone (bone across the centre of the forehead from around the middle of eyebrow across to the middle of the other) and a larger nose bone.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Perrett DI, Lee KJ, Penton-Voak I, Rowland D, Yoshikawa S, Burt DM, Henzi SP, Castles DL, Akamatsu S | display-authors = 6 | title = Effects of sexual dimorphism on facial attractiveness | journal = Nature | volume = 394 | issue = 6696 | pages = 884–887 | date = August 1998 | pmid = 9732869 | doi = 10.1038/29772 | bibcode = 1998Natur.394..884P | s2cid = 204999982 }}</ref>
* A heavier [[jaw]].
* A high facial width-to-height ratio.<ref>{{cite web| vauthors = Holden C |date=August 20, 2008|title=The Face of Aggression|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/face-aggression|access-date=15 January 2021|website=|series=Science|publisher=}}</ref> However some studies dispute this, and testosterone reduces cheekbone prominence in males.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hodges-Simeon |first1=Carolyn R. |last2=Sobraske |first2=Katherine N. Hanson |last3=Samore |first3=Theodore |title=Facial Width-To-Height Ratio (fWHR) Is Not Associated with Adolescent Testosterone Levels |journal=PLOS ONE |date=14 April 2016 |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=e0153083 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0153083 |pmid=27078636 |pmc=4831733 |bibcode=2016PLoSO..1153083H |language=en |issn=1932-6203 |quote= "Specifically, facial width/lower face height gets smaller (i.e., the lower face grows more than the width of the face), cheekbone prominence gets smaller (i.e., the width of the face at the mouth—a measure of relative jaw width—grows more than the width of the cheekbones), and lower face height/full face height gets larger (i.e., facial growth is focused in the lower face) as male adolescents develop. These results are consistent with the craniofacial literature that documents pronounced growth in the male mandible under the influence of exogenous T [51] and during puberty [83–85]. Similarly, the association between T and these mandible-inclusive facial ratios accords with Lefevre et al. [16], who found significant sexual dimorphism in these three ratios, but no adult sex difference in fWHR." See Table 1 and Figure 2 for cheekbone relation to testosterone levels. |doi-access=free }}</ref>
* A more prominent [[chin]].

Because females have around 1/4 the amount of testosterone of a male, the testosterone-dependent features do not develop to the same extent, and female faces are generally more similar to those of [[puberty|pre-pubertal]] children.

=== Skeletal structure ===
{{Multiple image
| width = 100
| image1 = Gray241.png
| alt1 = Male pelvis
| image2 = Gray242.png
| alt2 = Female pelvis
| footer = Comparison between a male (left) and a female [[human pelvis|pelvis]] (right). Females generally have wider [[Hip (anatomy)#Sexual dimorphism|hips]] relative to males in the same population. (Images not to scale.)
}}
[[Human skeleton|Skeletal structure]] frames the overall shape of the body and does not alter much after maturity. Males are, on average, taller, but body shape may be analyzed after normalizing with respect to height. The length of each bone is constant, but the joint angle will change as the bone moves.<ref>{{Cite journal| vauthors = Saeki T, Furukawa T, Shimizu Y |date=1997|title=Dynamic clothing simulation based on skeletal motion of the human body |journal=International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology|language=en|volume=9|issue=3|pages=256–263|doi=10.1108/09556229710168414|issn=0955-6222}}</ref>

<ref>See [[Human skeleton#Sex differences|Gender differences in Human skeleton]] and [[Hip (anatomy)#Sexual dimorphism in humans|Sexual dimorphism in Hips]]</ref> The [[Sacrum#Sexual dimorphism|sacrum]] in females is shorter and wider, and also directed more toward the rear (see image).<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Saukko P, Knight B | title = Knight's Forensic Pathology | edition = 3rd | publisher = Edward Arnold Ltd. | date = 2004 | isbn = 0-340-76044-3 }} </ref> This sometimes affects their [[walking style]], resulting in hip sway.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070523105948.htm|title = Clues To Mysteries Of Physical Attractiveness Revealed | work = ScienceDaily | date = 24 May 2007 |access-date = 2011-10-09}}</ref> The upper limb in females have an outward angulation (carrying angle) at elbow level to accommodate the wider pelvis. After puberty, hips are generally wider than shoulders. However, not all females adhere to this stereotypical pattern of [[secondary sex characteristic]]s.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Haeberle EJ | chapter-url=http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/ATLAS_EN/html/secondary_characteristics.html | chapter = The secondary sexual characteristics | title = The Sex Atlas | quote = Hips grow wider than their shoulders |access-date=2011-10-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927075821/http://www2.hu-berlin.de/sexology/ATLAS_EN/html/secondary_characteristics.html |archive-date=2011-09-27 }}</ref> Males and females generally have the same hormones, but blood concentrations and site sensitivity differs between males and females. Males produce primarily testosterone with small amounts of estrogen and progesterone, while women produce primarily estrogen and progesterone and small amounts of testosterone.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lauretta |first1=R |last2=Sansone |first2=M |last3=Sansone |first3=A |title=Gender in Endocrine Diseases: Role of Sex Gonadal Hormones. |journal=International Journal of Endocrinology |date=2018 |volume=2018 |pages=4847376 |doi=10.1155/2018/4847376 |pmid=30420884 |pmc=6215564 |quote= "Generally, females and males have the same hormones (i.e., estrogens, progesterone, and testosterone), but their production sites, their blood concentrations, and their interactions with different organs, systems, and apparatus are different [29]. Males produce predominantly testosterone from the testes in a relatively constant daily amount according to a circadian profile. Small amounts of estrogens and progesterone are produced by the testes and the adrenal glands or are produced in the peripheral tissues, such as adipose tissue or liver, by the conversion of other precursor hormones [30]. In contrast, females mainly produce estrogens and progesterone from the ovaries in a cyclical pattern, while a small amount of testosterone (T) is produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands." |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==== Male traits ====
{{also|Masculine beauty ideal}}
[[File:Half-naked male.jpg|thumb|An adult man with a "V-shaped body"; pronounced shoulder width and expanded chest, both traits typically associated with male physique]]

Widening of the [[shoulder]]s occurs as part of the male pubertal process.<ref name="columbia">{{cite web |url = http://www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/pubhealth/modules/reproductiveHealth/anatomy.html | title = Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology | work = The Harriet and Robert Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health | publisher = Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health | quote = Secondary sexual characteristics occur as part of the pubertal process|access-date = 2011-10-09}}</ref> Expansion of the [[ribcage]] is caused by the effects of [[testosterone]] during [[puberty]].{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}

=== Fat distribution, muscles and tissues ===
[[File:-Male Musculature Study- MET DP263572.jpg|thumb|The rear view of a naked adult man with a "V-shaped body". Male Musculature Study - photograph by Albert Londe, Paul Marie Louis Pierre Richer (MET, 2012.59)]]
[[Image:Vintage photo nude woman 2.jpg|thumb|The rear view of a naked adult woman with pronounced hip width and large buttocks, both typically associated with female physique]]
Body shape is affected by body [[fat]] distribution, which is correlated to current levels of [[sex hormones]].<ref name = "Singh_2007" /> Unlike [[Human skeleton|bone]] structure, muscles and fat distribution may change from time to time, depending on food habits, exercises and hormone levels.

==== Fat distribution ====
{{main|Android fat distribution|Gynoid fat distribution}}
Estrogen causes fat to be stored in the [[buttocks]], [[thighs]], and [[Hip (anatomy)|hips]] in females.<ref>{{cite web | vauthors = Peeke PM | date = |url=http://www.healthywomen.org/columns/drpeekescolumn/dbcolumn/waistlineworriesturningapplesbackintopears |title=Waistline Worries: Turning Apples Back Into Pears |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609161936/http://www.healthywomen.org/columns/drpeekescolumn/dbcolumn/waistlineworriesturningapplesbackintopears |archive-date=2009-06-09 | work = National Women's Health Resource Center }}</ref> When females reach [[menopause]] and the estrogen produced by ovaries declines, fat migrates from their buttocks, hips and thighs to their waists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.womenshealthmag.com/|title=Women's Health|access-date=5 September 2015}}</ref> Later fat is stored in the [[abdomen|belly]], similar to males.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Abdominal-fat-and-what-to-do-about-it.htm |title=Abdominal fat and what to do about it |access-date=2007-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928081252/http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Abdominal-fat-and-what-to-do-about-it.htm |archive-date=2011-09-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Thus females generally have relatively narrow [[waist]]s and large buttocks, and this along with [[#Skeletal structure|wide hips]] make for a wider hip section and a lower [[waist–hip ratio]] compared to males.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-03/fitness/28370522_1_fat-cells-high-fat-diet-fat-tissue|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120114055926/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-03/fitness/28370522_1_fat-cells-high-fat-diet-fat-tissue|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2012-01-14|title = Why men store fat in bellies, women on hips|access-date = 2011-10-09|work = [[The Times of India]]|date = 2011-01-03}}</ref>

Estrogen increases [[fat]] storage in the body, which results in more fat stored in the female body.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-07/health/27999848_1_11percent-more-body-efficient-fat-storage-foetal-development-and-lactation|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110811051343/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-07/health/27999848_1_11percent-more-body-efficient-fat-storage-foetal-development-and-lactation|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2011-08-11|title = Sex hormone making women fat?|access-date = 2011-10-09|work = [[The Times of India]]|date = 2009-04-07}}</ref> [[Body fat percentage#Body fat guidelines|Body fat percentage guidelines]] are higher for females, <ref>{{Cite web |title=QuickStats: Mean Percentage Body Fat,* by Age Group and Sex --- National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 1999--2004† |url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5751a4.htm |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=www.cdc.gov}}</ref> as this may serve as an energy reserve for [[pregnancy]]. <ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Most J, Dervis S, Haman F, Adamo KB, Redman LM | title = Energy Intake Requirements in Pregnancy | journal = Nutrients | volume = 11 | issue = 8 | pages = 1812 | date = August 2019 | pmid = 31390778 | pmc = 6723706 | doi = 10.3390/nu11081812 | doi-access = free }}</ref> Males generally deposit fat around [[waist]]s and [[abdomen]]s (producing an "apple shape").{{cn|date=May 2022}}

==== Muscles ====
{{See also|Bodybuilding}}
[[Testosterone]] helps build and maintain muscles through exercise. On average, men have around 5-20 times more testosterone than women and naturally and biologically males gain more muscle mass and size than women.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kopala |first1=Mary |last2=Keitel |first2=Merle |title=Handbook of Counseling Women |date=11 July 2003 |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=978-1-4522-6285-7 |page=94 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9CN1AwAAQBAJ&dq=males+times+more+testosterone+than+females&pg=PA94 |language=en}}</ref> However, women can also build muscle mass by increasing the testosterone level naturally.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tiidus |first1=PM |title=Benefits of estrogen replacement for skeletal muscle mass and function in post-menopausal females: evidence from human and animal studies. |journal=The Eurasian Journal of Medicine |date=August 2011 |volume=43 |issue=2 |pages=109–14 |doi=10.5152/eajm.2011.24 |pmid=25610174|pmc=4261347 }}</ref> Prominent muscles of the body include the [[latissimus dorsi]] and [[trapezius]] in the back, [[pectoral muscles]] and [[rectus abdominis]] (abdomen) in the [[chest]] and stomach respectively, as well as [[biceps]] and [[triceps brachii muscle|triceps]] in the arms and [[gluteus maximus]], [[quadriceps femoris muscle|quadriceps]] and [[hamstring]]s in the thighs.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Applegate |first1=Edith MS |title=The Sectional Anatomy Learning System - E-Book: Concepts and Applications 2-Volume Set |date=25 February 2009 |publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences |isbn=978-0-323-27754-9 |page=108 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cVhPAQAAQBAJ&dq=largest+muscle+group+quadriceps&pg=PA108 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Breasts ====
Females have [[breast]]s due to functional [[mammary glands]], which develop in puberty from the influence of various hormones such as [[thyroxine]], [[cortisol]], [[progesterone]], [[estrogen]], [[insulin]], [[prolactin]], and [[human growth hormone]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Fritz |first1=Marc A. |last2=Speroff |first2=Leon |title=Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology and Infertility |date=28 March 2012 |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |isbn=978-1-4511-4847-3 |page=624 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KZLubBxJEwEC&dq=breast+size+estrogen+insulin&pg=PA624 |language=en}}</ref> Mammary glands do not contain muscle tissue. The shape of female breasts is affected by age, genetic factors, and body weight. Women's breasts tend to grow larger after [[menopause]], due to increase in fatty deposits caused by decreasing levels of estrogen. The loss of elasticity from connective tissue associated with menopause also causes sagging.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sabel |first1=Michael S. |title=Essentials of Breast Surgery: A Volume in the Surgical Foundations Series E-Book |date=23 April 2009 |publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences |isbn=978-0-323-07464-3 |page=16 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9lFxf2HYnS4C&dq=menopause+increase+breast+volume+sagging&pg=PA16 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Weight ===
Being [[overweight]] or [[underweight]] affects the human body's shape as well as [[Human position|posture]] and walking style.{{cn|reason=This is evidently true by simple observation but a citation that quantifies it would be very useful|date=December 2023}} This is measured using [[Body mass index|Body Mass Index]] (BMI). Depending on the BMI, a body may be referred to as underweight, normal, overweight, or [[obesity|obese]]. A person with a BMI below 18.5 is classed as underweight, between 18.5 and 24.9 is ideal, above 24.9 is overweight and a BMI of 30 or higher is defined as obese.<ref name="World Health Organization 2006">{{cite book |url=https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43190/9241593024_eng.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43190/9241593024_eng.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title=The SuRF Report 2 |series=The Surveillance of Risk Factors Report Series (SuRF) |page=22 |publisher=World Health Organization |date=2005 |ref={{harvid|World Health Organization|2005}}}}</ref>

=== Body posture and gait ===
Body shape has effects on body [[Human positions|posture]]<ref name = "Gill_2017">{{cite journal | vauthors = Gill S, Parker CJ | title = Scan posture definition and hip girth measurement: the impact on clothing design and body scanning | journal = Ergonomics | volume = 60 | issue = 8 | pages = 1123–1136 | date = August 2017 | pmid = 27764997 | doi = 10.1080/00140139.2016.1251621 | s2cid = 23758581 | url = https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/9347600 }}</ref> and [[Gait (human)|gait]], and has a major role in [[physical attraction]]. This is because a body's shape implies an individual's hormone levels during puberty, which implies fertility, and it also indicates current levels of [[sex hormones]].<ref name="Singh_2007"/> A pleasing shape also implies good [[health]] and [[Physical fitness|fitness]] of the body. Posture also affects body shape as different postures significantly alter body measurements, which thus can alter a body's shape.<ref name = "Gill_2017" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Parker CJ, Hayes SG, Brownbridge K, Gill S | title = Assessing the female figure identification technique's reliability as a body shape classification system | journal = Ergonomics | volume = 64 | issue = 8 | pages = 1035–1051 | date = August 2021 | pmid = 33719914 | doi = 10.1080/00140139.2021.1902572 | s2cid = 232231822 | url = https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/14170421 }}</ref>

== Impact on health ==
According to the [[Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada]], those people with a larger waist (apple shaped) have higher health risks than those who carry excess weight on the hips and thighs (pear shaped). People with apple shaped bodies who carry excess weight are at greater risk of [[Hypertension|high blood pressure]], [[Type 2 diabetes]] and [[Hypercholesterolemia|high cholesterol]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3484281/k.D785/Assess_your_weight.htm|title = Assess your weight|publisher = Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada|access-date = 2011-10-09|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110825233619/http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3484281/k.D785/Assess_your_weight.htm|archive-date = 2011-08-25|url-status = dead}}</ref> The United Kingdom's [[National Institute for Health and Care Excellence]] advises that a person's [[waist-to-height ratio]] (WtHR) should not exceed 0.5, and that this rule applies to everyone from the age of five and is irrespective of gender, ethnicity or BMI.<ref name="NICE-2022-3">{{cite web | work = National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) | date = 2022 | title = Obesity: identification and classification of overweight and obesity (update) Recommendations 1.2.25 and 1.2.26. | url = https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg189 }}</ref>

=== Fitness and exercise ===
Different forms of [[exercise]]s are practiced for the [[Physical fitness|fitness]] of the body and also for health. It is a common belief that [[Spot reduction|targeted exercise]] reduces fat in specific parts of the body —for example, that exercising muscles around the [[Abdomen|belly]] reduces fat in the belly. This, however, is now proven to be a misconception; these exercises may change body shape by improving [[muscle tone]] but any fat reduction is not specific to the locale. Spot reduction exercises are not useful unless you plan proper exercise regime to lose overall calories. But exercising reduces fat throughout the body, and [[#Fat distribution|where fat is stored]] depends on hormones. [[Liposuction]] is surgery commonly used in [[developed country|developed societies]] to remove fat from the body.

== Social and cultural ideals ==
{{multiple image
| total_width = 360
| image1 = Venus de Milo Louvre Ma399 n4.jpg
| alt1 = 
| caption1 = ''[[Venus de Milo]]'' at the [[Louvre]] has been described as a "classical vision of beauty".<ref name=twsE17>{{cite magazine |title= People: Just Deserts |magazine=Time |quote= ... "the most perfect all-over beauty of all time." Runner-up: the Venus de Milo. |date= May 28, 1945 |url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,775696,00.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090811003314/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,775696,00.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= August 11, 2009 |access-date= August 5, 2011}}</ref><ref name=twsE18>{{cite news |title=Says Venus de Milo was not a Flapper; Osteopath Says She Was Neurasthenic, as Her Stomach Was Not in Proper Place. |newspaper=The New York Times |quote= Venus de Milo ... That lady of renowned beauty... | date= April 29, 1922 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1922/04/29/103588246.pdf |access-date= August 5, 2011}}</ref><ref name=twsE19>{{cite news |author=CBS News Staff |title=Venus |work=CBS News |quote= The classical vision of beauty exemplified in Greek art, such as the 2nd century B.C. Venus de Milo (a.k.a. Aphrodite of Milos), was an ideal carried through millennia, laying the basis for much of Western art's depictions of the human form. |date=August 5, 2011 |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-3445_162-5417565.html |access-date=August 5, 2011}}</ref>{{efn|However, one expert suggested that her "almost matronly representation" was meant to convey an "impressive appearance" rather than "ideal female beauty".<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kousser R |title=Creating the Past: The Vénus de Milo and the Hellenistic Reception of Classical Greece | url = https://archive.org/details/sim_american-journal-of-archaeology_2005-04_109_2/page/227 |journal=American Journal of Archaeology |volume=109 |issue=2 |pages=227–50 |year=2005 |doi=10.3764/aja.109.2.227|s2cid=36871977 }}</ref>}}
| image2 = 'David' by Michelangelo JBU05.JPG
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = ''[[David (Michelangelo)|Michelangelo's David]]'' is considered a symbol of young male beauty and strength
}}
The general body shapes of female and male bodies both have significant social and cultural symbolism. [[Physical attractiveness]] is closely associated with traits that are considered typical of either sex.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dolan |first=Eric W. |date=2023-01-14 |title=Interactions between height and shoulder‑to‑hip ratio influence women's perceptions of men's attractiveness and masculinity |url=https://www.psypost.org/2023/01/interactions-between-height-and-shoulder‑to‑hip-ratio-influence-womens-perceptions-of-mens-attractiveness-and-masculinity-64769 |access-date=2023-01-17 |website=PsyPost |language=en-US}}</ref> The body mass index ([[Body mass index|BMI]]), waist-to-hip ratio, and especially waist-to-chest ratio in men have been shown in studies to rank as overall more desirable to women. To be deemed to have an "athletic built"/build<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Williams LA |title=Resurfaced |date=May 2012 |isbn=9781105713033 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Gm1AwAAQBAJ&q=athletic+built&pg=PT1 |access-date=13 June 2020 |quote=...and athletic built}}</ref> is usually a reference to wide shoulders, a muscular upper body and well-developed upper-arm muscles which are all traits closely associated with [[masculinity]], similarly to other specifics of the male sex, like [[beard]]s. These traits are seen more [[sexual attraction|sexually attractive]] to women and also associated with higher intelligence, good leadership qualities and better health.<ref name="Swami">{{cite book | vauthors = Swami V | chapter = The Influence of Body Weight and Shape in Determining Female and Male Physical Attractiveness | veditors = Kindes MV | date = 2006 | title = Body Image: New Research | publisher = Nova Publishers | location = New York | isbn = 978-1-60021-059-4 | pages = 36–51 }}</ref>

== Terminology ==
Classifications of female body sizes are mainly based on the circumference of the bust–waist–hip ([[bust/waist/hip measurements|BWH]]), as in 36–24–36 (inches) respectively. In this case, the waist–hip ratio is 24/36 = 0.67. Many terms or classifications are used to describe body shape types:

*V shape: Males tend to have proportionally smaller buttocks, bigger chests and wider [[shoulder]]s, wider latissimus dorsi and a small waist which makes for a V-shape of the torso. 
*Hourglass shape: The female body is significantly narrower in the [[waist]] both in front view and profile view. The waist is narrower than the chest region due to the breasts, and narrower than the hip region due to the width of the buttocks, which results in an [[Female body shape#Female shapes|hourglass]] shape.
*Apple: The stomach region is wider than the hip section, mainly in males.
*Pear or spoon or bell: The hip section is wider than the upper body, mainly in females.{{cn|date=November 2023}}
*Rectangle or straight or banana: The hip, waist, and shoulder sections are relatively similar.

== See also ==
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* {{annotated link|Body image}}
* {{annotated link|Body proportions}}
* {{anli|Body mass index}} (BMI)
* {{anli|Bust/waist/hip measurements}} ("Vital statistics")
* {{annotated link|Dad bod}}
* {{annotated link|Female body shape}}
* {{annotated link|Gait (human)|Human gait}}
* {{annotated link|Human physical appearance}}
** {{annotated link|Phenotype}}
* {{annotated link|List of human positions}}
* {{annotated link|Human skeleton}}

* {{annotated link|Sex differences in humans}}
* {{annotated link|Sexual dimorphism}}
* {{annotated link|Somatotype and constitutional psychology}}
** {{annotated link|Eugenics}} (discredited fringe theory)
* [[Waist–hip ratio]] 
* [[Waist-to-height ratio]] 
{{div col end}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/pubhealth/modules/reproductiveHealth/anatomy.html Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology]
* [https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070523105948.htm Clues to Mysteries Of Physical Attractiveness Revealed]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Body Shape}}
[[Category:Body shape| ]]
[[Category:Physical attractiveness]]

Edit summary (Briefly describe your changes)

By publishing changes, you agree to the Terms of Use, and you irrevocably agree to release your contribution under the CC BY-SA 4.0 License and the GFDL. You agree that a hyperlink or URL is sufficient attribution under the Creative Commons license.

Cancel Editing help (opens in new window)

Copy and paste: – — ° ′ ″ ≈ ≠ ≤ ≥ ± − × ÷ ← → · § Cite your sources: <ref></ref>

{{}} {{{}}} | [] [[]] [[Category:]] #REDIRECT [[]]   <s></s> <code></code> <pre></pre> <blockquote></blockquote> <ref></ref> <ref name="" /> {{Reflist}} <references /> <includeonly></includeonly> <noinclude></noinclude> {{DEFAULTSORT:}} <nowiki></nowiki>

Symbols: ~ | ¡ ¿ † ‡ ↔ ↑ ↓ • ¶ # ∞ ‹› «» ¤ ₳ ฿ ₵ ¢ ₡ ₢ $ ₫ ₯ € ₠ ₣ ƒ ₴ ₭ ₤ ℳ ₥ ₦ № ₧ ₰ £ ៛ ₨ ₪ ৳ ₮ ₩ ¥ ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ 𝄫 ♭ ♮ ♯ 𝄪 © ® ™
Latin: A a Á á À à Â â Ä ä Ǎ ǎ Ă ă Ā ā Ã ã Å å Ą ą Æ æ Ǣ ǣ B b C c Ć ć Ċ ċ Ĉ ĉ Č č Ç ç D d Ď ď Đ đ Ḍ ḍ Ð ð E e É é È è Ė ė Ê ê Ë ë Ě ě Ĕ ĕ Ē ē Ẽ ẽ Ę ę Ẹ ẹ Ɛ ɛ Ǝ ǝ Ə ə F f G g Ġ ġ Ĝ ĝ Ğ ğ Ģ ģ H h Ĥ ĥ Ħ ħ Ḥ ḥ I i İ ı Í í Ì ì Î î Ï ï Ǐ ǐ Ĭ ĭ Ī ī Ĩ ĩ Į į Ị ị J j Ĵ ĵ K k Ķ ķ L l Ĺ ĺ Ŀ ŀ Ľ ľ Ļ ļ Ł ł Ḷ ḷ Ḹ ḹ M m Ṃ ṃ N n Ń ń Ň ň Ñ ñ Ņ ņ Ṇ ṇ Ŋ ŋ O o Ó ó Ò ò Ô ô Ö ö Ǒ ǒ Ŏ ŏ Ō ō Õ õ Ǫ ǫ Ọ ọ Ő ő Ø ø Œ œ Ɔ ɔ P p Q q R r Ŕ ŕ Ř ř Ŗ ŗ Ṛ ṛ Ṝ ṝ S s Ś ś Ŝ ŝ Š š Ş ş Ș ș Ṣ ṣ ß T t Ť ť Ţ ţ Ț ț Ṭ ṭ Þ þ U u Ú ú Ù ù Û û Ü ü Ǔ ǔ Ŭ ŭ Ū ū Ũ ũ Ů ů Ų ų Ụ ụ Ű ű Ǘ ǘ Ǜ ǜ Ǚ ǚ Ǖ ǖ V v W w Ŵ ŵ X x Y y Ý ý Ŷ ŷ Ÿ ÿ Ỹ ỹ Ȳ ȳ Z z Ź ź Ż ż Ž ž ß Ð ð Þ þ Ŋ ŋ Ə ə
Greek: Ά ά Έ έ Ή ή Ί ί Ό ό Ύ ύ Ώ ώ Α α Β β Γ γ Δ δ Ε ε Ζ ζ Η η Θ θ Ι ι Κ κ Λ λ Μ μ Ν ν Ξ ξ Ο ο Π π Ρ ρ Σ σ ς Τ τ Υ υ Φ φ Χ χ Ψ ψ Ω ω {{Polytonic|}}
Cyrillic: А а Б б В в Г г Ґ ґ Ѓ ѓ Д д Ђ ђ Е е Ё ё Є є Ж ж З з Ѕ ѕ И и І і Ї ї Й й Ј ј К к Ќ ќ Л л Љ љ М м Н н Њ њ О о П п Р р С с Т т Ћ ћ У у Ў ў Ф ф Х х Ц ц Ч ч Џ џ Ш ш Щ щ Ъ ъ Ы ы Ь ь Э э Ю ю Я я ́
IPA: t̪ d̪ ʈ ɖ ɟ ɡ ɢ ʡ ʔ ɸ β θ ð ʃ ʒ ɕ ʑ ʂ ʐ ç ʝ ɣ χ ʁ ħ ʕ ʜ ʢ ɦ ɱ ɳ ɲ ŋ ɴ ʋ ɹ ɻ ɰ ʙ ⱱ ʀ ɾ ɽ ɫ ɬ ɮ ɺ ɭ ʎ ʟ ɥ ʍ ɧ ʼ ɓ ɗ ʄ ɠ ʛ ʘ ǀ ǃ ǂ ǁ ɨ ʉ ɯ ɪ ʏ ʊ ø ɘ ɵ ɤ ə ɚ ɛ œ ɜ ɝ ɞ ʌ ɔ æ ɐ ɶ ɑ ɒ ʰ ʱ ʷ ʲ ˠ ˤ ⁿ ˡ ˈ ˌ ː ˑ ̪ {{IPA|}}

Wikidata entities used in this page

human body shape: Sitelink, Title, Description: en

Pages transcluded onto the current version of this page (help):

Body image (edit)
Body mass index (edit)
Body proportions (edit)
Body shape (edit)
Bust/waist/hip measurements (edit)
Dad bod (edit)
Eugenics (edit)
Female body shape (edit)
Gait (human) (edit)
Human physical appearance (edit)
Human skeleton (view source) (semi-protected)
List of human positions (edit)
Phenotype (edit)
Sex differences in humans (edit)
Sexual dimorphism (edit)
Somatotype and constitutional psychology (edit)
Template:Also (view source) (semi-protected)
Template:Ambox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Anli (view source) (semi-protected)
Template:Annotated link (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Template:Citation needed (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite book (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite journal (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite magazine (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite news (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite web (view source) (protected)
Template:Cn (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Delink (view source) (protected)
Template:Div col (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Div col/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Div col end (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Efn (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Find sources mainspace (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Fix (view source) (protected)
Template:Fix/category (view source) (protected)
Template:Further (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Harvid (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Hlist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Human body weight (edit)
Template:Main (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Main other (view source) (protected)
Template:More (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:More citations needed (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Multiple image (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Multiple image/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Notelist (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Template:Reflist (view source) (protected)
Template:Reflist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Template:See also (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:SfnRef (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Short description (view source) (protected)
Template:Short description/lowercasecheck (view source) (protected)
Template:Sidebar with collapsible lists (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Annotated link (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Arguments (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/blacklist (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/shared (view source) (protected)
Module:Check for unknown parameters (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1 (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/COinS (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Date validation (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Identifiers (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Whitelist (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Delink (view source) (protected)
Module:Disambiguation/templates (view source) (protected)
Module:Find sources (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/config (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/links (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/templates/Find sources mainspace (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Footnotes (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Format link (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:GetShortDescription (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Hatnote list (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Labelled list hatnote (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang/ISO 639 synonyms (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Lang/data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Language/data/iana languages (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Language/data/iana regions (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Language/data/iana scripts (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Language/data/iana suppressed scripts (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Language/data/iana variants (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Message box (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/ambox.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Multiple image (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Namespace detect/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/disambiguation (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/rfd (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Pagetype/setindex (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/softredirect (view source) (protected)
Module:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Module:Sidebar (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Sidebar/configuration (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Sidebar/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:String (view source) (protected)
Module:Unicode data (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Unsubst (view source) (protected)
Module:Wikitext Parsing (view source) (protected)
Module:Yesno (view source) (protected)

This page is a member of 10 hidden categories (help):

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_shape" ●Privacy policy ●About Wikipedia ●Disclaimers ●Contact Wikipedia ●Code of Conduct ●Developers ●Statistics ●Cookie statement ●Mobile view