ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Body shape

Our body shape refers to the shape of our body, which can be different from person to person. Everyone has a different body shape depending on how they store fat, their genetics, and their lifestyle.

There are generally four different body shapes:

1) Apple-shaped: People who have an apple-shaped body shape tend to store most of their fat in their upper body, including the abdomen, chest, and back.

2) Pear-shaped: People with a pear-shaped body shape tend to store most of their fat in their lower body, including the hips, buttocks, and thighs.

3) Hourglass-shaped: People with an hourglass-shaped body shape have a balanced distribution of fat around their hips and shoulders, creating a narrow waistline.

4) Rectangle-shaped: People with a rectangle-shaped body shape have a more straight, athletic body with less defined curves.

Body shape is important because it can affect our health. Apple-shaped bodies are at a higher risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes because of the extra fat around the abdomen. Pear-shaped bodies, on the other hand, may be at a lower risk for these conditions but may experience joint or knee problems due to the extra weight on the lower body.

It's important to remember that body shape is not something we can always control. Instead, we should focus on living a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, and finding joy in the body we have.