Your shape or mine?

Human beings come in all shapes and sizes, but do we know when our body shapes start to affect our health? Katherine Bletcher finds out

Living in a world where we’re bombarded with images of extreme body shapes – from skinny models to obese teens – it can be easy to lose sight of what a healthy shape is.

If you think that people who are naturally slim don’t have to try, then think again. Whether they are doing it consciously or not, slim people eat a controlled number of calories, so they’re not taking too much energy in. However, even slim people need to eat healthily and do plenty of physical activity to prevent other risk factors.

Being a healthy weight has lots of benefits, but if you’re over 40 you should still make sure that you have a health check at your GP’s surgery, to assess your risk of developing heart disease.

Being underweight can also be bad for your health. If you eat too little, your body probably isn’t getting enough energy and nutrients. This can make you more likely to get ill and get infections and it will take longer for you to get better. Being underweight can also increase your risk of fractures and falls.

Where are you carrying weight?

Whether you call it a beer belly, a spare tyre or a muffin top, extra weight around your middle increases your risk of developing high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes – even if your BMI is within the healthy range.

While it’s often assumed that carrying the excess weight puts a strain on your heart, the main reason abdominal fat affects your heart is that the fat cells themselves are active, producing toxic substances that can cause damage. So your shape, and where you carry your excess fat, are very important – it’s not just about your weight.

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to get rid of fat from just one part of the body. So, although tummy-toning exercises can help with strength and tone, they won’t necessarily change your waist size. You need to reduce the fat itself by taking in fewer calories and doing more physical activity. This can lead to a gradual decrease in the amount of fat stored all over the body, including on the waist. It may take a while to see the results, but it will be worth it.

Keeping it in the family

While weight does have a genetic element, the view that ‘we’re all big in my family’ doesn’t have to mean that there’s nothing you can do about it. While body shapes are passed on through families, so are cooking, eating and physical activity habits. Take a step back and look at what your family’s habits are. There are probably some easy changes that could help the whole family to have a healthier lifestyle – and it’s easier if you do it together, too.

How do I know if I’m a healthy shape?

Our different shapes make us unique but they can also affect our risk of heart disease. A good starting point is to measure your BMI and waist circumference. You can work towards a healthy BMI and waist measurement by eating a balanced diet and making sure you do at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week. However, if you are worried about your weight, you should chat to your GP – he or she can give you support and advice on what to do.