The Shape of Things

Thanks to the oozing sexuality of Marilyn Monroe, the hourglass shape has been long sought after by women and coveted by men. But being nice on the eyes doesn't account for everything, and new research shows that this body type may not be optimal for a woman's health. The study, conducted by University of Utah anthropologist Elizabeth Cashdan, found that women with a higher waist-to-hip ratio are stronger, more competitive, better equipped to deal with stress and overall healthier than those with a smaller waist. Read on to find out which body type is best for a woman's health and why.

Rectangle

The new findings from University of Utah anthropologist Elizabeth Cashdan posit that rectangular-shaped women with similar bust, waist and hip sizes and a higher waist-to-hip ratio like Keira Knightley or Gwyneth Paltrow are physically stronger, more competitive and better able to withstand stress than other women due to higher levels of testosterone and stress-managing cortisol, both of which can cause weight gain in the abdomen.

Typically, studies have shown that a waist-to-hip (WHR) of 0.7 or lower is associated with higher fertility and lower rates of chronic disease. However, Cashdan found that women with a WHR of 0.8 are better able to support themselves and a family while meeting the demands of a stressful career than women with a lower WHR ratio.

Pear Shape

The Institute of Preventive Medicine in Copenhagen (IPM) found that women with a hip measurement of 40 inches (a size 8 or 10) or more may live longer than apple-shaped women. Because pear-shaped women carry most of their fat on the hips -- think Michelle Obama -- they're less likely to gain dangerous visceral fat in their abdomens.

Plus, subcutaneous fat located under the skin and stored on the hips is relatively harmless and may also result in an 86 percent reduced risk of coronary heart disease and 46 percent reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to IPM. "It doesn't actively produce hormones or lead to inflammation, and it's a magnet for bad cholesterol, which means healthy high cholesterol," says Marie Savard, M.D., ABC News Medical Contributor and author of "The Body Shape Solution to Weight Loss and Wellness."

Pears Beware

While being pear shaped has its benefits, women with this body type are more likely to experience more severe symptoms of menopause and develop osteoporosis because subcutaneous fat produces a less potent form of estrogen, says Dr. Savard. In addition, she notes that women with curvier hips may be more likely to develop eating disorders in an effort to achieve what society values as ideal -- narrow hips and slender legs. If you want to balance out a heavier bottom half the healthy way, use strength-training to tone your upper body.

Apple Shape

A study by North Carolina State University found that 46 percent of women are apple-shaped. While this body type is characterized by slim hips and thighs with larger stomachs and flat behinds, apples like Drew Barrymore aren't necessarily overweight. However, unlike passive fat found in the hips, apples have a propensity to gain dangerous visceral fat that is stored in the abdomen, near vital organs.

"Most people think of fat as inert material, much like the rind of fat surrounding a steak. But fat is actually living, breathing, hormone-producing, metabolically active tissue," says Dr. Savard. In excess, visceral fat can increase a person's risk for diabetes and heart disease, create inflammation and raise blood pressure.

Apples Beware

A woman with a waistline larger than 32 inches is at an increased risk of diabetes and heart attack, according to the National Obesity Forum. Most women will eventually become apples due to estrogen loss, which results in weight loss in the hips, butt and thighs but not the stomach. "Women who take hormones at menopause don't lose their shape as quickly as other women," says Dr. Savard. To combat a growing waistline, she suggests walking 30 minutes per day, getting more than six hours of sleep per night and eating a diet rich in whole grains, fruit and vegetables.

Hourglass

Beyond having the most coveted of body shapes, women with hourglass figures have 30 percent more estrogen than other women. As a result, they are three times more likely to get pregnant, according to a study by Harvard University. While breast size doesn't determine your health, hourglass-shaped woman share the same health benefits of pear-shaped women -- like longevity and lower heart-disease risk -- because they're essentially the same body type. "Pear-shaped woman can be hourglass, too, if you happen to have big breasts as well," says Dr. Savard.

Hourglass Beware

Women with hourglass figures may find that they tend to put on weight easily and have a difficult time building muscle. Combat unwanted weight gain by maintaining a low-fat diet and doing cardio and strength-training exercises.

Determine Your Shape

All you need to discern if you're an apple, pear, hourglass or rectangle is some measuring tape. First, measure around the smallest part of your waist and record your waist circumference. Then measure the widest part of your hips. Divide the first number by the second to get your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). If your WHR is 0.8 or less, you are a pear. If your WHR is greater than 0.8, you are an apple. An hourglass shaped woman will have a WHR of 0.8 or less and a large bust, which is within two inches of her hip measurement. Rectangular-shaped women typically have similar waist, bust and hip measurements, giving them a waist line that appears less defined.

Shape Shifter

For the most part, changing your body shape isn't really up to you. You can reduce belly fat by ramping up cardio and eating a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish, according to Dr. Savard. But if you're prone to putting on weight in that area, that's something that won't go away with time. And don't even think about liposuction.

Going under the knife isn't worth it because the only fat that can be removed is the healthy subcutaneous fat below the skin. "It's purely cosmetic and won't do any good," says Dr. Savard. "When a young woman removes her healthy fat, she has no place to put the extra pounds except in her belly. She's not tricking nature."