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The Secret of Human Shape: Do You Know What Factors Affect Our Body Shape?
Every human body shape is a complex phenomenon, hiding exquisite details and functions. To a large extent, the overall shape and size of humans is defined by the shaping of bone structure and the distribution of muscle and fat. The body's skeletal structure develops and finally becomes fixed during adolescence, usually between the ages of 13 and 18, when the end plates of long bones close and growth ceases. At this point, the body shape of the human body will basically not change significantly after adulthood. There are significant differences in body shape between different genders, especially women's body shape, which has triggered complex cultural and historical discussions. The technical term for the science of measuring and evaluating body shape is "anthropometry."
During puberty, male and female bodies begin to undergo sexual differentiation to adapt to the needs of reproduction.
Physiological factors
During puberty, male and female bodies develop significant differences in response to reproductive needs. In adult humans, muscle mass may change due to exercise, while fat distribution may change due to hormonal fluctuations.
Facial features
Men who are affected by testosterone during puberty often develop the following facial skeletal features:
- More prominent brow bone
- Larger nasal bones
- Heavier jaw
- High facial aspect ratio
However, some studies dispute this, suggesting that testosterone may reduce the prominence of the cheekbones in men. Women's testosterone levels are about 1/15 of men's, which makes women's facial features less obvious than men's and closer to pre-pubescent children.
Bone structure
Bone structure determines the overall shape of the human body and remains essentially unchanged as we mature. Generally, the average height of men is higher, but when height is taken into account, the analysis of body shape becomes more objective. The length of the bone remains the same, but the angle of the joint changes during movement.
Fat distribution, muscle and tissue
Shape shape is affected by body fat distribution, which is often related to current levels of sex hormones. Unlike bone structure, the distribution of muscle and fat can change over time, depending on eating habits, exercise, and hormone levels.
Distribution of fat
In women, estrogen promotes the accumulation of fat around the hips, thighs, and buttocks. When women enter menopause, the estrogen produced by the ovaries decreases, and fat tends to shift from the hips, thighs, and buttocks to the waist. This makes women generally have narrower waists and larger hips, creating a different waistline compared to men's fat distribution. Hip ratio.
The fat storage effect of estrogen in women’s bodies often causes their body shapes to show more unique curves.
Social and cultural ideals
Female and male body shapes have significant symbolic meaning in society and culture. Physical attractiveness is often closely related to traits perceived to be consistent with one's gender. Studies have shown that body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio and, specifically, waist-to-chest ratio in men, are seen as overall more attractive in the eyes of women.
Spine and Gait
Shape shape affects body posture and gait, which also largely affects physical attractiveness. Because a person's body shape indicates their hormone levels during puberty, which in turn indicates their fertility. At the same time, good body shape usually indicates good health.
Health effects
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, those with larger waists (apple-shaped) face higher health risks than those with rounder waists and hips (pear-shaped). If they are apple-shaped, they are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.
Sports and Fitness
Different forms of exercise for physical health are used in today's society. A common misconception at this time is that targeted exercise can reduce fat in specific areas. However, the actual situation proves that this concept is wrong. These exercises may improve muscle tone but will not specifically reduce fat in certain areas. While surplus leads to improvement in body fat, this depends on hormones, and fat accumulation also depends on the action of hormones.
Thinking about the future
What we know about the shape of the human body is closely related to gender, culture, and social expectations. How to correctly understand your own body shape in daily life and regard it as an indicator of health rather than a standard of beauty is a question worthy of in-depth consideration?
