This body shape calculator figures the shape of your body through your bust, waist and hip measurements and also the waist to hip ratio. You can discover more about pear, apple, hourglass and banana and that ratio below the form.
How does this body shape calculator work?
This body shape tool can help you answer to a question many people have about their bodies- what is the shape of my body? In order to use the calculator you will need to prepare three measurements: bust, waist and hip, also known as BWH. You can use it either in the English tab or in the metric tab depending on which one you prefer.
Your personalized result will contain a definition of your body shape and the value of your waist-hip ratio (WHR), a body type indicator for health risks. You can learn how to take your measures correctly below.
Take your body measurements:
Body dimensions, especially as settled through fashion represent the three numbers that express the circumference of the body around three inflection points: bust, waist and hips. You can take your measurements by yourself using just a simple tape measure.
The bust measurement is the circumference of the bust at the largest point while keeping the tape measure snug but not tight.
The waist measurement is the circumference of the narrowest point of the torso, which is often just above the belly button.
The hip measurement is the circumference of the widest part of the hips, with the most prominent curve.
Now that you have all the numbers you need you can use the body shape calculator to discover whether you have an apple, a pear shaped body or any of the other two shapes described below:
Banana body shape:
The waist measurement is less than 9 inches smaller (not very defined) than the bust or hip measurement which are around the same size (within 5 percent of each other).
Body fat is distributed predominantly in the face, chest, abdomen and buttocks in an overall fat distribution that creates the straight shape with only a slight curve at the hips.
Apple body shape:
This body shape suggests broader dimensions of the shoulder and bust in compared to narrower hips. The chest and the abdomen look larger while the thighs and legs are usually slimmer. Body fat is distributed predominantly in the face, chest and abdomen. The circle body shape is met in women with smaller shoulders and hips with a tendency to deposit fat in the stomach area.
Pear body shape:
This one presents a shapely bottom, with a tinier waist while the hip measurement is greater than the bust measurement. This means a relatively large rear, thicker thighs and small bosom. Body fat is distributed predominantly and also has the tendency to deposit first in the buttocks, hips and thighs.
Hourglass body shape:
The hourglass shape suggests a highly defined waist line along with proportionate dimensions of the bust and hips. Body fat is distributed predominantly and also has a tendency to deposit first around the chest, hips and buttocks while the narrow waist and the upper abdomen are usually slimmer.
The waist-hip ratio
If you are a woman, you probably have used the tool, read more about the body shapes for women and then started wondering how to dress for your body shape or when to start fitness classes. If you’re a man you probably just wondering why do I need to know the types of body shapes, isn’t it just the same? Well it is not. Knowing your body shape has also a health importance beside the aesthetic side so it can be important for you too. Two of the above measurements have a very practical use in the Waist-hip ratio exposing the possibility of some health risks.
The waist-hip ratio is a body shape indicator that was found to have a very high correlation to female fertility and was also found to be an efficient predictor of heart disease risks and mortality in elder people. In general the WHR can work as a health risk meter and is set to accommodate differently female and male dimensions. Health risk can vary from diabetes to bones and heart diseases. WHR is calculated by dividing the waist measurement by the hip measurement. WHR also shows the body tendency of storing fat on the torso (WHR >1) or on the hips and buttocks (WHR <1).
References
1) Saukko P, Knight B. Knight's Forensic Pathology, 3rd Ed. Edward Arnold Ltd. 2004.
2) Viren S. (2006) The Influence of Body Weight and Shape in Determining Female and Male Physical Attractiveness in Marlene V. Kindes (2006, editor), Body Image: New Research. Nova Publishers, New York.
14 Dec, 2014