Is Your Body an Apple or a Pear? By Marci Lall At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

For many years overweight people have been split up into two groups, according to body shape. Apples (carry fat above the waist) and pears (carry fat on hips and thighs).

So how do you know if you're an apple or a pear? Simple. Take your waist (above your belly button) and hip measurements (widest part of your hips and butt) in inches.

Divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement . If you get less than 0.8 then you're a pear, more than 0.8 then your an apple.

Apples:
Is Your Belly Your Burden?

Being apple shaped is actually more frequent in men than in women - think beer bellies. Belly fat is "hyperactive" which means that, it breaks down and enters the bloodstream very fast.

The same fat is likely to be absorbed into your bloodstream, where it can raise cholesterol levels and lead to clogged arteries, high blood pressure, and other problems.

When fat builds up in your stomach and waist area, it doesn't just build up under the skin, it also builds up inside you upper torso and sticks around your heart, liver, kidneys, and intestines.

Some experts believe it can even begin to grow inside these specific organs, stopping blood flow and interfering with their main function.

For women your health risks begin to increase once your waist reaches 31.5 inches and it increase even more once your waists hits the 35 inches or more mark.

Pears:
Better Than Apples?

Being pear shaped may be healthier than being apple shaped. The fat cells on your thighs and hips break down slowly and are less likely to move around your body and do damage.

The pear shape is the traditional female shape because a woman's body needs the slow burning fat (hip and thigh) to provide enough energy for pregnancy and breast-feeding.

What To do About Your Shape?

So what do you do if you look more like an apple than a pear?

And if you hate looking like a pear can you reduce your thighs?

Genetics does play a big role in your body shape, but there are a few things you can do to reverse the effects of diseases.

Know Your History - If you have a family history of heart disease you're at risk for heart disease. Losing just 10 pounds can lower your risk.

Talk To Your Doctor - If your waist hip ratio is in the danger zone, you have to get down to business. Get on a weight loss program and start gradually losing weight.

Exercise As Part Of Your Daily Life - Exercise is the perfect remedy for shifting your shape. For fast results combine your cardio with your resistance training.

Stop Smoking - Smoking affects your fat distribution by causing fat to be stored around your middle. Do I have to say anything else?

Easy On The Alcohol - When you drink alcohol your body burns fat slowly and increases your appetite. Be aware of how much you drink or find other non alcoholic beverages to enjoy.

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