When it comes to body types, it’s not just how much weight you carry — it’s where you store it.
Research shows that people with apple-shaped bodies — those with a wider midsection and less defined waist — face a higher risk of serious health problems compared to their pear-shaped counterparts, who tend to carry excess weight in the hips, buttocks and thighs.
This body type isn’t just a cosmetic concern: Extra weight around the stomach often signals a dangerous buildup of visceral fat, which wraps around your internal organs — unlike the fat stored just under the skin.
That means even if you aren’t technically overweight, carrying extra fat around your midsection increases your risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and even certain cancers.
In fact, a 2020 review of 72 studies found that people with an apple shape had a significantly higher risk of death from all causes than those with pear-shaped bodies.
Obesity has long been considered a risk factor for several types of cancer, but a growing body of evidence suggests that excess abdominal fat may be an even stronger predictor.
