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Even due to high-calorie intake, your body is still lean and shredded with a very little amount of fat percentage. You may be an ectomorph or suffering from any disorder. The human body is categorized into 3 different types that are a result of genotype and phenotype. Physiological, morphological, and psychological characteristics of all of these are different. Before moving toward these 3 body types, let me explain these 2 terms genotype and phenotype.
What are Genotypes and Phenotypes and how our body type is determined?
Genotype is a combination of alleles or a genetic code of an individual while phenotype is the expression of genotype. Some observable characteristics like height and eye color etc. are an example of phenotype while genotype expresses the arrangement of genes that determines this height, color, lean body etc. Hence genotype determines phenotype, and both of these contribute to the individual’s body type which is further discussed below. But keep in mind that phenotype can get changed by the disturbance in the external environment (nutrition, atmosphere, religion, etc.).
What are the 3 types of the human body?
Ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph, also known as cerebrotonic, somatotonic, and viscerotonic respectively, are 3 different body types that express whether an individual is lean or fatty. Ectomorphs are thinner and weaker having tall and generally weak limbs with low-fat percentage and BMI. While endomorphs are healthy individuals having a high-fat percentage and BMI.
 The mesomorphs lie in between these two types. They are generally stronger and athletic having an aesthetic body with moderate BMI and fat percentage. But it doesn’t mean that mesomorphs are born with abs and bulky biceps etc., they just seem normal but on doing heavy exercises they can develop a good shape earlier than ectomorphs and endomorphs, even if they are lean. All these body types are determined by the genotype, phenotype, and variation in phenotype due to external factors as discussed earlier.
Why ectomorphs are leaner and don’t gain weight?
If we’ll talk about the characteristics of ectomorphs, it is no doubt that they are happy individuals as they don’t have to worry about food, they can eat more because of their fast metabolism which means that calories consumed are burned at a faster rate. In other words, the food they eat is digested quickly and a very less amount of fat is accumulated in the body. Ectomorphs are generally lean, introverted, anti-social, speak with a restrained voice, avoid noise, want to be alone, and are less talkative, but they talk too much if you get familiar with them.
What is the nutritive requirement of an ectomorph?
Yes exactly, they need to eat more and more to gain weight as they are termed as hard gainers due to fast metabolism. They need to consume a diet rich in calories with approximately 20-25% protein, 50-55% carbs, and 25-30% fat to gain muscle mass and increase their BMI (body mass index). If you want further information regarding the diet and the mechanism behind its metabolic activity, then visit this blog.Â
How to know if you are an ectomorph?
Well, it doesn’t mean that if you can’t gain weight then you are a lean ectomorph because there might be several reasons for this. Primary or acquired immune deficiency, autoimmune disorder, malnutrition, and eating disorders may cause the weakness of your body and its defense system. Some of these autoimmune disorders are as follows:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
- Scleroderma
- Multiple sclerosis
- Thyroiditis
Malnutrition causes a decline in the following functions:
- Gastrointestinal function
- Muscle function
- Cardio-respiratory function
- Wound healing function
- Neurological functions
Eating disorders are the major causes of body weakness. Some of them are as follows:
- Anorexia Nervosa (A weight-gain phobia that leads to dieting)
- Bulimia Nervosa (eating a lot of food and then over-exercising or vomiting to avoid extra calories)
- Selective eating disorder (Limiting type or amount of food)
If you are not suffering from any disorders that cause weakness, makes you leaner day by day, and prevents you from gaining weight, then you may be an ectomorph, but still, you don’t need to worry. Consult a doctor for further details.
How can an ectomorph look like a mesomorph?
If you are an ectomorphic personality and you desire to become like a mesomorph, then pay attention to the following things:
- Eat as much as you can.
- Prefer healthy food only avoid junk food except for cheat days.
- Rest as much as you can.
- Do proper weight training exercises.
- Take protein supplements.
- Avoid unnecessary hard work (washing your car knowing that you don’t want to go anywhere on it)
- Try to be happy (even in stressful conditions)
- Socialize yourself & make new friends.
Role of family members and friends in grooming ectomorphs
The most painful thing for an ectomorph is to tell an ectomorph that he is a lean ectomorph. They are more likely to commit suicide or go into depression rather than endomorphs. Hence parents must play a significant role in grooming an ectomorphic child.
- Never make fun of your child
- Avoid teasing your child about not gaining weight.
- Provide good nutrition to your child.
- Consult a doctor secretly & provide supplement to your child.
- Keep an eye on your child’s friends.
Some of the famous ectomorph bodybuilders & Personalities
You’ll be amazed after hearing that there are several famous ectomorphic personalities and you can’t even recognize them. They seem like a mesomorph. The reason behind this thing is the one-time struggle to achieve lifetime happiness. They were very lean just like an ectomorph, but they worked hard to become aesthetic. Following is the list of those ectomorphs:
Sylvester Stallone:
Yes, he’s the guy from Rambo and Rocky, but still, you can’t believe that he is also an ectomorph. He had all those qualities that an ectomorph possesses, but he struggled and transformed himself into a person who look like a mesomorph by birth.
Flex Wheeler:
One of the most famous bodybuilders, Flex is also on the ectomorph list. Just see his body twice and this will give you an inner motivation that you can do anything. So, what are you waiting for, just go and check out our ectomorph weight training plan here.
Following are also some of the famous personalities:
- Frank Zane
- Taylor Swift
- Cameron Diaz
- Kate Moss
- Bradley Cooper
Conclusion:
Don’t worry if you are lean, tighten your belt, struggle hard, and be a good man. You have the power to achieve anything. Our doors are open 24/7, never hesitate to send us a direct email to consult our team about any health-related or study-related issue, we will help you as much as we can.
References:
- Florescu, Oroles. “The Determining Factors In The Formation Of The Three Body Types (Ectomorph, Mesomorph, and Endomorph).” Marathon 8.1 (2016): 43-50
- Smith DA, Germolec DR. Introduction to immunology and autoimmunity. Environ Health Perspect. 1999 Oct;107 Suppl 5(Suppl 5):661-5. doi: 10.1289/ehp.99107s5661. PMID: 10502528; PMCID: PMC1566249..
- Saunders J, Smith T. Malnutrition: causes and consequences. Clin Med (Lond). 2010 Dec;10(6):624-7. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.10-6-624. PMID: 21413492; PMCID: PMC4951875.