Influence of the somatotype on intake of energy and nutrients in women

Abstract

Nutrition is an integral part of the formation of fat and muscle and affects anthropometric parameters. Measurement of growth and weight gain can be used to characterise the physical development of human beings. Weight-to-height parameters can be used to determine body types (somatotypes). Somatotypes have recently been studied due to their link to various diseases, including diet-related ones. The study involved 154 female students of a university in of Warsaw, aged 21-25 years. The study was based on a questionnaire composed of two parts. The first contained information on weight, height, place of residence, supplementation, self-health assessment, and physical activity. The second part was based on three-day dietary food records. The subjects were divided into three groups according to somatotypes: ectomorphic, mesomorphic and endomorphic. The women of the ectomorphic somatotype consumed the greatest amount of energy, protein, fats, vitamins B1, B6, copper, and retinol. The women of the mesomorphic somatotype consumed more carbohydrates than women of other body types did. Endomorphic women had great difficulty in maintaining ideal body weight, even though the food they consumed supplied the least amount of energy, macronutrients, and selected vitamins and minerals. Somatotype, that is the type of human physique, affects the consumption of energy and some nutrients (protein, fat, vitamins B1 and B6, copper and retinol).