body shape body shape human body shape is a complex phenomenon with sophisticated detail and function. the general shape or figure of a person is defined mainly by the molding of skeletal structures, as well as the distribution of muscles and fat. skeletal structure grows and changes only up to the point at which a human reaches adulthood and remains essentially the same for the rest of their life. growth is usually completed between the ages of 13 and 18, at which time the epiphyseal plates of long bones close, allowing no further growth (see human skeleton). line art depiction of nude man and woman from the pioneer plaques. women typically have wider hips than shoulders, while the reverse is true for men. part of a series onhuman body weight general concepts obesity (epidemiology) overweight underweight body shape weight gain weight loss gestational weight gain diet (nutrition) weight management overnutrition childhood obesity (epidemiology) medical concepts adipose tissue classification of obesity genetics of obesity metabolic syndrome (epidemiology of metabolic syndrome) metabolically healthy obesity obesity paradox set point theory measurements body adiposity index body mass index body fat percentage body shape index corpulence index lean body mass relative fat mass waist–hip ratio waist-to-height ratio related conditions diabetes (type 1) eating disorder (anorexia • bulimia • binge eating disorder) food addiction hyperthyroidism malnutrition red-s starvation (starvation response) pcos obesity-associated morbidity arteriosclerosis atherosclerosis fatty liver disease gerd gynecomastia heart disease hypertension obesity and cancer osteoarthritis prediabetes sleep apnea type 2 diabetes management of obesity anti-obesity medication bariatrics bariatric surgery dieting (list of diets) caloric deficit exercise (outline) liposuction obesity medicine weight loss camp weight loss coaching yo-yo effect social aspects comfort food fast food (criticism) fat acceptance movement fat fetishism health at every size hunger obesity and the environment obesity and sexuality sedentary lifestyle social determinants of obesity social stigma of obesity weight cutting weight class many aspects of body shape vary with gender and the female body shape especially has a complicated cultural history. the science of measuring and assessing body shape is called anthropometry. physiology during puberty, differentiation of the male and female body occurs for the purpose of reproduction. in adult humans, muscle mass may change due to exercise, and fat distribution may change due to hormone fluctuations. inherited genes play a large part in the development of body shape. facial features further information: facial skeleton classical female and male faces due to the action of testosterone, males may develop these facial-bone features during puberty: a more prominent brow bone (bone across the centre of the forehead from around the middle of eyebrow across to the middle of the other) and a larger nose bone. a heavier jaw. a high facial width-to-height ratio. however some studies dispute this, and testosterone reduces cheekbone prominence in males. a more prominent chin. because females have around 1/4 the amount of testosterone of a male, the testosterone-dependent features do not develop to the same extent. skeletal structure comparison between a male (left) and a female pelvis (right). females generally have wider hips relative to males in the same population. (images not to scale.) skeletal structure frames the overall shape of the body and does not alter much after maturity. males are, on average, taller, but body shape may be analyzed after normalizing with respect to height. the length of each bone is constant, but the joint angle will change as the bone moves. female traits