A1 U2 SHAPES AND PROPORTIONS OF THE HUMAN BODY

A4 U2 SHAPES AND PROPORTIONS OF THE HUMAN BODY body (4

hours)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. The body's constitution

1.1. Characteristics
1.2. Factors that determine body constitution
1.3. Somatotypes or constitutional constitutional types
1.4. Body types female

2 Anthropometric variables

2.1. Weight
2.2. Height

3. Body image in history

3.1. Factors influencing the canons of beauty

4. Head shape and proportions

4.1. Facial proportions

4.2. The shape of the oval: types of face
4.3. The shape of the profile
4.4. The shape of the skull

5. Relationship between body image

INTRODUCTION
I. THE BODY CONSTITUTION

Body constitution is the set of morphological, physiological and

biochemical characteristics that characterize an individual. It changes
throughout life, although the greatest changes occur between the ages
of 6 and 12, with a tendency to stabilize with age.

WHAT IS THE CONSTITUTION? Body constitution is the set of

morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics that
characterize an individual.
DOES IT LAST THROUGHOUT LIFE? It changes throughout life.
WHEN DO THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGES OCCUR? The
most significant changes occur between the ages of 6 and 12.

1.1. CHARACTERISTICS

The main physical characteristics which determine the constitution,

and on which the biotypes are based, are:

► Bone structure: the development, size and relief of the bones will
determine the angles of the face, skull and body.
► Size and shape of the different parts of the body: these are
determined on the three spatial axes, each being defined as large,
small, long, short, broad, thin, round...

►Proportion: relationship between the measurements of the different

regions and parts of the body, such as that between the head and the
body. Also referred to as the relationship between length and width in
each region.

► Muscle mass: development and volume of muscles, which is

usually greater in men than in women.

► Adiposity and distribution of body fat: a secondary sexual trait, in

men it is preferentially located in the upper part of the trunk and the
abdomen, while in women it is preferentially located in the hips,
buttocks and thighs.

►Metabolic activity: the more active the individual is, the greater the
energy expenditure, the less fat is stored and the learner he/she is.

► Gender: determines differences in bone, muscle and adipose tissue

development.

► Ethnicity: each ethnic group has genetically determined

developmental tendencies and characteristic body traits.
WHAT DETERMINES BONE DEVELOPMENT, SIZE AND RELIEF? The
development, size and relief of the bones will determine the angles of
the face, skull and body.
HOW ARE THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY
DETERMINED? HOW ARE EACH DEFINED? Size and shape of the
different parts of the body are determined on the three spatial axes,
each being defined as large, small, long, short, broad, thin, round...
WHAT IS BODY PROPORTION? Body proportion are the relationship
between the measurements of the different regions and parts of the
body, such as that between the head and the body.
WHAT IS MUSCLE MASS? IN WHICH OF THE TWO SEXES IS IT
GREATER? Muscle mass is the development and volume of muscles,
which is usually greater in men than in women.
NAME A SECONDARY SEXUAL TRAIT AND HOW IS IT DISTRIBUTED
IN MALES AND FEMALES? A secondary sexual trait, in men it is
preferentially located in the upper part of the trunk and the abdomen,
while in women it is preferentially located in the hips, buttocks and
thighs.
WHAT HAPPENS IF METABOLIC ACTIVITY IS HIGH? If metabolic
activity is high the more active the individual is, the greater the energy
expenditure, the less fat is stored and the learner he/she is.
WHAT DIFFERENCES ARE THERE IN BODY CONSTITUTION
ACCORDING TO GENDER? The difference according to gender
determines differences in bone, muscle and adipose tissue
development.
INDICATES A BODY TRAIT CHARACTERISTIC OF AN ETHNIC GROUP.
Skin colour

1.2. FACTORS DETERMINING THE BODY'S

CONSTITUTION
The physical constitution of an individual is basically inherited; every
individual receives a genetic load that defines the basis of his
biochemical, glandular, nervous, muscular, skeletal and sensory
structure, which will determine the development of his physical
constitution. Hereditary determinants include gender, family
hereditary traits and ethnicity.
Other external factors intervene on this inherited basis, which can
condition or modify development and produce temporary or definitive
changes. Environmental factors influencing the constitution include:
● Diet
● Lifestyle.
● Physical activity.
● Socio-cultural environment.
● Fashion conditioning factors
● Non-inherited diseases
INDICATE THREE OF THE EXTERNAL FACTORS THAT YOU
CONSIDER MOST LIKELY TO CHANGE THE BODY AND
EXPLAIN WHY.
● Diet
 ● Lifestyle.
● Physical activity.
1.3. SOMATOTYPES OR CONSTITUTIONAL TYPES
Human beings present very diverse constitutional differences and a
wide range of particular characteristics that make each being unique
and unrepeatable. This diversity of characters has been grouped into
different defined groups, called somatotypes.

The somatotype can be defined as an expression of body

conformation by quantitative criteria, because the result is expressed
in numerical values of anthropometric variables:

WHAT MAKES EACH BEING UNIQUE? Very diverse

constitutional differences and a wide range of particular
characteristics that make each being unique and unrepeatable.
HOW HAVE THESE DIFFERENCES BEEN GROUPED
TOGETHER? This diversity of characters has been grouped into
different defined groups, called somatotypes.
WHAT IS A SOMATOTYPE? The somatotype can be defined as an
expression of body conformation by quantitative criteria
Endomorph or pyknic
People of medium height, with a tendency to be overweight and obese
and with abundant adipose tissue, especially in the belly. Head
rounded and relatively large, with broad face and soft rounded reeves,
loose hair and tendency to baldness, short and broad hair, short and
broad limbs, short and broad hands and feet.
WHAT IS THE HEIGHT OF THE ENDOMORPH SOMATOTYPE
LIKE? People of medium height.
AND WEIGHT? AND THEIR BONE AND MUSCLE
STRUCTURE? AND HIS HEAD? AND THE FACE? AND THE
HAIR? AND THE NECK? AND THE LIMBS? A tendency to be
overweight and obese and with abundant adipose tissue, especially in
the belly. Head rounded and relatively large, with broad face, loose
hair and tendency to baldness, short and broad hair, short and broad
limbs.

Mesomorph or athletic:
People with a slender figure in which vertical lines predominate, who
have a better balance between body fat and muscle mass Head with
bony, prominent facial features and elongated oval face: strong hair
and thick skin. The trunk is long and muscular, trapezoidal with a
narrow pelvis: the volume of the thorax is greater than that of the
abdomen with strong, broad shoulders: strong limbs, large hands and
feet.

WHAT IS THE FIGURE OF THE MESOMORPH SOMATOTYPE

LIKE? People with a slender figure in which vertical lines
predominate.
AND ITS RELATION BETWEEN BODY AND MUSCLE MASS?
AND HIS HEAD? AND THEIR FACE? AND HIS HAIR? AND HIS
SKIN? AND HIS THORAX WITH RESPECT TO HIS ABDOMEN?
Balance between body fat and muscle mass Head with bony,
prominent facial features and elongated oval face: strong hair and
thick skin. The volume of the thorax is greater than that of the
abdomen with strong,

Ectomorph or asthenic
People with a slender build, thin and sinewy surface relief, with little
body fat and difficulty in gaining weight. Small head and long,
slender neck: narrow, oval face: narrow, tapering nose. Thin, pale
skin, narrow, elongated trunk, flat chest and broad pelvis; with
narrow, sloping shoulders and slender, slender limbs, with long,
narrow hands and feet.
WHAT IS YOUR CONSTITUTION LIKE? People with a slender
build, thin and sinewy surface relief.
HOW MUCH BODY FAT? Little body fat.
WEIGHT? Difficulty in gaining weight.
WHAT IS THE HEAD LIKE? Small head.
AND THE NECK? Long, slender neck.
AND THE FACE? Narrow, oval face
AND THE SKIN? Pale skin.
AND THE TRUNK? Elongated trunk.
AND THE LIMBS? Slender limbs.

1.4. FEMALE BODY TYPES

A woman's body type is defined by her genes, and is mainly
determined by the proportions and shape of the skeleton as it
develops. No one body type is better than another, and a woman's
appearance depends, to a large extent, on the care she puts into her
personal image.

There are four types of female bodies. The names of each type vary
according to
the shape is compared to a geometric figure or object.
HOW IS A WOMAN'S BODY TYPE DEFINED? A woman's body
type is defined by her genes, and is mainly determined by the
proportions and shape of the skeleton as it develops.
IS THERE A BODY THAT IS BETTER? No one body type is better
than another.
WHAT DOES A WOMAN'S APPEARANCE DEPEND ON? A
woman's appearance depends, to a large extent, on the care she puts
into her personal image.
HOW DO THE NAMES OF FEMALE BODY TYPES VARY? There
are four types of female bodies. The names of each type vary
according to the shape is compared to a geometric figure or object.

TRIANGLE OR BELL
Also called but, it is characterized by shoulders much smaller than the
hips, with a symmetrical chest and waist.

WHAT IS ANOTHER NAME FOR THE TRIANGLE OR BELL

TYPE? Another name for the triangle or bell is but
HOW IS IT CHARACTERIZED? It is characterized by shoulders
much smaller than the hips, with a symmetrical chest and waist.

INVERTED TRIANGLE
The shoulders are slightly wider than the hips.
HOW IS IT CHARACTERIZED? The shoulders are slightly wider
than the hips.

HOURGLASS OR DIABOLO

The width of the hips and shoulders are almost equal, the
circumference of the chest and hips are symmetrical, and they have a
very defined waist.
DESCRIBE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WITH YOU OWN WORDS?
Hips and shoulders are almost the same, the chest and the hips are
symmetrical, and his waist is very defined.

RECTANGLE OR CYLINDER
The width of the shoulders, chest, waist and hips are almost the same
size, with symmetrical girths.
DESCRIBE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WITH YOU OWN WORDS?
All the body part is almost the same size, with symmetrical girths.

2. ANTHROPOMETRIC VARIABLES
2.1. WEIGHT
Body weight is made up of fat mass and lean weight, which is the
fat-free body mass or lean mass. Lean mass, in turn, is composed of
muscle mass, viscera, bone, blood and lymph. Some factors that
determine weight are: age, height, build, genetic factors and lifestyle
factors such as physical activity, stress and diet.
WHICH COMPONENTS MAKE UP THE BODY WEIGHT? Fat
mass and lean weight are the components that make up the body
weight.
WHAT DOES LEAN MASS CONSIST OF? Lean mass consists of
muscle mass, viscera, bone, blood and lymph.
WHAT FACTORS DETERMINE WEIGHT? Some factors that
determine weight are: age, height, build, genetic factors.
WHAT OTHER FACTORS MAY BE RELATED TO WEIGHT?
Lifestyle factors such as physical activity, stress and diet.
Weight is the most common anthropometric measurement, expressed
in kilograms (kg). When assessing weight, we use scales or balances
and observe the following precautions when weighing:

The person should wear the minimum amount of clothing and no

shoes or ornaments.

The person stands in the center of the scale platform, distributing the
weight equally between both legs, in an upright position, with the
arms hanging sideways, without moving and without anything in the
surrounding area coming into contact with the body.

WHAT IS WEIGHT? IN WHAT UNITS IS IT EXPRESSED? Weight

is the most common anthropometric measurement, expressed in
kilograms (kg).
WHAT INSTRUMENT DO WE USE TO CALCULATE WEIGHT?
When assessing weight, we use scales or balances.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD WE TAKE WHEN WEIGHING
OURSELVES? The person should wear the minimum amount of
clothing and no shoes or ornaments.

BODY MASS INDEX:

The World Health Organisation has proposed an index to determine

whether one has an adequate weight or whether one is obese,
overweight or extremely thin. This is the Body Mass Index (BMI).

(BMI)-weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared,

For example, for an adult person, 1.70 meters tall and weighing 20
kilograms, the BMI is
BMI= 70kg : (1.70m)2 =24.22

TABLE VALUATION RESULTS

BMI 15 people in a situation of starvation or extreme thinness

BMI between 15 and 18.5: people with excessive thinness BMI

between 18.5 and 20.5 people with underweight.

BMI between 20.5 and 25 people with ideal weight.

BMI between 25 and 30 overweight persons

BMI between 30 and 40 obese people BMI 40 morbidly obese people.

CALCULATE YOUR BODY MASS INDEX AND COMMENT ON

WHAT THE TABLE VALUATION RESULTS TELLS YOU.

My body mass index is 22.

3. BODY IMAGE IN HISTORY

Beauty is a subjective concept, since what is beautiful for some may

not be so for others. It is for this reason that the canon of beauty is not
universal, as tastes and preferences for a certain prototype of beauty
vary in different population groups, according to fashions or periods.
In general, however, the physical features representative of youth that
reflect the capacity to reproduce and to generate wealth have been
highlighted.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT BEAUTY IS A SUBJECTIVE
CONCEPT (look up the answer on the internet)? Beauty is subjective;
it is based on the experience of pleasure that we have when we look at
or listen to certain things.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT THE CANON OF BEAUTY IS
NOT UNIVERSAL? It means that the canon of beauty is not
universal, as tastes and preferences for a certain prototype of beauty
vary in different population groups, according to fashions or periods.
WHAT PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS HAVE BEEN
HIGHLIGHTED IN GENERAL? The physical features representative
of youth that reflect the capacity to reproduce and to generate wealth
have been highlighted.

FIND AN IMAGE THAT MATCHES THE BEAUTY CANONS OF

THE PERIODS EXPLAINED BELOW
►In prehistoric times the canon was that of the plump woman with
great ostentation of her nutrition, her femininity and her procreative
capacity, as in the case of the Venus of Willendorf.

► In Egypt a man or woman was beautiful if he or she measured

eighteen times his or her own fist: 2 for the face, 10 from the
shoulders to the knees and the remaining 6 for the legs and feet. The
woman had to be slender, slender, with wide hips and small limbs.

►Classical period. In Greece, beauty was conceived as the result of

mathematical calculations, proportional measurements and care for
symmetry. The canon of beauty was established by Polyclitus in his
Don Foro, where he relates the proportions of the human figure to a
basic measure, the module. The ideal proportions of beauty of this
canon determine that the height of the human being is equal to seven
times the height of the head. Rome absorbed all the iconography of
Greek sculpture.
Greece:

Rome:

► During the Middle Ages, the canon of beauty reflects inner

spirituality. Women were depicted with an oval face, thin lips, long
hair, slender torso, narrow hips, small, firm breasts, and very fair skin.
The man was depicted with long, tall, thin hair, broad chest and
shoulders; long, straight legs as a sign of elegance and bearing; large,
generous hands.
►In the Renaissance, beauty has a more naturalistic conception. It is
based above all on harmony and proportion. Women are characterised
by white skin, rosy cheeks, light, long hair, a clear forehead, large,
clear eyes, narrow shoulders, like the waist, rounded hips and
stomach, slender, proportionate hands and feet, small, firm, shapely
breasts. In the male ideal, Michelangelo's sculpture of David, in which
he reflected his own canon of 7.5 heads, is taken as a reference.

► In the Baroque, bodies were plumper than in previous periods,

with more prominent breasts, wide hips and narrow waists, narrow
shoulders and rounded, fleshy arms, and white skin remained a
benchmark of beauty.
From then until now, there have been many fashions: the grace of the
Rococo; the sobriety of the Enlightenment; the dandy fashion, and so
on. The 20th century has imposed trends that depend on economic
motivations and on what one wants to show: socio-economic level,
belonging to the group, identity...

4. HEAD SHAPE AND PROPORTIONS

The shape of the head and especially the shape of the face determines
many aspects of a person: the way the hair is styled, haircuts, which
accessories can be used on the face, the type of make-up to be used or
beard styles, are examples of how the shape of a face influences the
styling of the image.
WHAT DETERMINES THE SHAPE OF A PERSON'S HEAD AND
FACE? The shape of the head and especially the shape of the face
determines many aspects of a person.

4.1. FACIAL PROPORTIONS

In order to check whether the face is harmonious, a series of lines and

axes are established that frame it in different geometric figures. It is
studied in both the horizontal and vertical planes.

WITH YOUR WORDS EXPLAIN HOW TO CHECK IF THE FACE

HAS HARMONY. To check if the face has harmony, you have to
watch a series of lines and axes that are established.

HORIZONTAL PLANE:
The proportions are studied, as well as the disposition and parallelism
of the lines of the forehead, eyebrows, eyes, nose, lips, cheekbones,
jaw and chin.

Four imaginary lines are drawn, which divide the face into three
zones:

From the hairline to the root of the nose.

From the root of the nose to the base of the nose.

From the base of the nose to the end of the chin.

SEARCH FOR IMAGES OF THIS PLANE AND OF THE 4

IMAGINARY LINES

VERTICAL PLANE:

Asymmetries are studied. Normally there are differences between the

left and right sides, one being always wider and with slightly larger
features than the other.
An imaginary line is drawn which divides the face into two parts,
from the center of the forehead to the center of the chin, passing
through the center of the nose.

LOOK FOR IMAGES OF THE POSSIBLE ASYMMETRIES OF

THIS PLANE AND OF THE LINES THAT ARE TRACED

4.2. THE SHAPE OF THE OVAL: FACE TYPES

APPLIED TO... PERSONAL IMAGE

The oval is determined by the hairline and the line where the
cheekbones, jaw and chin meet.

To observe the relationship between width and height, two imaginary

axes are drawn that divide the face in half, one vertical and one
horizontal, in this way we can establish whether a face is narrow or
wide.

HOW IS THE OVAL OF A FACE DETERMINED? The oval is

determined by the hairline and the line where the cheekbones, jaw and
chin meet.
HOW IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE WIDTH AND
HEIGHT OF A FACE OBSERVED? WHAT CAN THESE
RELATIONSHIPS LOOK LIKE? The relationship between width and
height, two imaginary axes are drawn that divide the face in half, one
vertical and one horizontal, in this way we can establish whether a
face is narrow or wide.

There are seven types of faces, of which the oval is considered the
perfect face shape, as it has balanced proportions. It presents a slight
difference between the vertical axis that predominates over the
horizontal one.

FACE TYPES

WIDE FACES
1-The round face is characterized by its circumferential shape and
small chin.
2- The square face is a wide face, in which the difference between
height and width is not very great.

NARROW FACES
3- The elongated face is characterized by a clear disproportion of the
vertical axis over the horizontal axis, which makes it appear as a
narrow face and often has a long nose.

4- The rectangular face is longer than wide, the vertical axis

significantly predominates over the horizontal. People with this type
of face have hard, angular lines.
COMBINED FACES

5- The triangular or pear-shaped face is characterized by a narrow

forehead in relation to the chin, as the jaw is generally slightly wider
than the upper part of the face.

6-BVThe inverted triangle or heart-shaped face is wide at the top and

narrow at the bottom: It is said to be heart-shaped when the difference
is not so great, and the shape is less hard than that of the inverted
triangle.

LOOK FOR IMAGES OF EACH OF THESE FACE TYPES AND

THE CORRESPONDING MAKE-UP CORRECTIONS.

4.3. THE SHAPE OF THE PROFILE

The profile view must be balanced. For its study we draw imaginary
lines, one from the forehead to the chin passing through the lips
(facial plane), another that goes from the forehead tangent to the back
of the nose, forming with the facial plane the nasofacial angle and a
third from the tip of the nose to the chin, which forms a triangle with
the previous ones. A balanced profile is considered to be one in which
the nose presents a smooth angle with the forehead and chin.
WHAT SHOULD THE PROFILE VIEW LOOK LIKE? The profile
view must be balanced.
HOW IS IT STUDIED? For its study we draw imaginary lines.
WHAT IS A BALANCED PROFILE CONSIDERED TO BE? A
balanced profile is considered to be one in which the nose presents a
smooth angle with the forehead and chin.

The other profiles can be grouped into the following shapes:

► Flat: characterized by having the forehead, the beginning of the

nose and the chin in the same vertical line, but the nose is short,
► Convex or hollow: characterized by a protruding forehead and
nose, with the chin receding inwards.

►Pointed: with a long nose, which produces decompensation in

relation to the forehead and chin.

►Concave: with a protruding forehead and a pronounced chin

protruding from the line of the facial plane.

LOOK FOR AN IMAGE OF EACH TYPE OF PROFILE