NUTRITION BASICS PART 1

Because I deal with so many teenagers that want to improve athletically, I thought I would devote at least two articles a month on nutrition. I believe this is the number one weakness in athletes. I would like to say that when I was a teenager in the 1970's, that we all had a good diet. I would be telling a huge fib if I did that. But, I do see so many kids that are losing out on the tremendous improvements that have been made in the area of nutrition.
The first step is what kind of body type are you? There are basically four body types. You will find that many people overlap two different types. These body types are also applicable to males and females alike. Here goes nothing:

1)Ectomorphs- Carry little muscle and little fat
2)Mesomorphs- Carry a lot of muscle and little fat
3)Endomorphs- Carry little muscle and a lot of fat

4)Endomesomorphs- Carry a lot of muscle and a lot of fat

If you go to a freshman basketball game, and see a player who is much taller than everyone else, and is very thin, that is a classic example of an ectomorph. But not all ectomorphs are 6'6" 160. Height is not always a major determining factor. Just remember little muscle and fat.

Mesomorphs are the bodybuilder types that are huge lean and muscular. Pick up copies or various magazines and you will know what I'm talking about. And yes, ectomorphs can turn into mesomorphs. Matter of fact any body type can turn into another body type. It comes down to diet.

Endomorphs are like the fat Albert cartoon/movie character, the comedian John Candy, Jackie Gleason, and the rapper Biggie Smalls. This is the least healthy of the categories to be in. Unfortunately you see more kids weighing over 300 pounds, that long term will have to deal with hypertension, diabetes, various cardiovascular disorders, and arteriosclerosis.

Endomesomorphs are a relatively knew phenomenon. If you see some of the offensive tackles in the NFL, and World's Strongest Man competitors you will see truly huge men. Unfortunately, the excessive body weight is very demanding on the heart. I wouldn't be surprised that the Pandora's box of anabolics has created this category. Modern science!

The sport and goals of the athlete in all of these categories will determine what nutritional strategy should be undertaken. These topics will be discussed in future articles.