In the 1940s, a professor at the University of Houston named William Sheldon proposed that there are three kinds of people (or more specifically, body types) in the world. Ectomorphs are lean ...

Generally thin and lean, ectomorphs tend to ... this type looks powerful but it isn’t chiseled. (This may be partly because people with this body type tend to retain water and a layer of fat ...

What does an ectomorph look like? Ectomorphs tend to be naturally lean and have a fast metabolism, according to Terri-Ann. She said: "Having a body type that’s defined as an ectomorph means ...

Long and lean best describes ectomorphs who are better able to handle carbohydrates and good fats than the other two body types,' Susie told FEMAIL. 'Small regular meals will best suit this body ...

His strong jawline, chiseled abs, beefy arms ... But I don't want him to be too thin. I prefer a lean and slim dude. Think: Body type more like a soccer star than star quarterback.

And if research into male body image is to be believed, it will likely only grow, thanks to social media. Today, there’s an entire industry centered on obtaining—and maintaining—chiseled abs.