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Skeptoid

Skeptoid #995: The Eugenic History of the Body Type Diet

Skeptoid

Brian Dunning

Skeptic, Social Sciences, Skepticism, Paranormal, Conspiracy Theories, Urban Legends, Science, History

4.63K Ratings

🗓️ 1 July 2025

⏱️ 17 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Is there good science backing up the idea that you should eat based upon which of three body types you have?

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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Can you get fitter faster by eating and exercising according to your body type?

0:08.4

The body type diet relies on the idea that we all fall into one of three body types, also known as somatotypes, ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph.

0:20.0

These categories were first conceived by a eugenicist,

0:23.6

looking to predict personality traits from a person's physical appearance, but they've since

0:28.4

been embraced by the fitness world as a supposedly more effective approach to diet and exercise.

0:34.3

Just because somatotypes have a shady past doesn't mean they're nonsense now, as long as there's evidence to back them up.

0:42.8

Is there?

0:48.2

Hi, this is Ray Maliazzi from Car Talk.

0:50.8

Since you appreciate the facts, you know that Skeptoid brings the rigors of science

0:54.8

to the world of wacko theories. What do I know about wacko theories? Well, my brother and I are

0:59.9

responsible for most of them. But you can combat wacko theories and support science journalism

1:05.7

at Skeptoid with your old car. Yeah, even your old car can be donated to Skeptoid

1:11.0

and turned into more of the podcast that you love.

1:13.8

Want to find out more?

1:15.2

Visit Skeptoid.com slash giving or call 877215-277 today.

1:22.2

That's 877215-277 or Skeptoid.com slash giving.

1:28.8

S-K-E-P-T-O-I-D-com slash giving.

1:36.3

You're listening to Skeptoid.

1:38.7

I'm Ashley Hamer, guest hosting for Brian Dunning from Skeptoid.com.

1:44.0

The Eugenic History of the Body Type Diet.

1:48.2

Welcome to the show that separates fact from fiction, science from pseudoscience, real history from fake history, and helps us all make better life decisions by knowing what's real and what's not.

2:04.5

Getting fit is difficult. Even when you cut out junk food and start working out regularly, it might still take a long time to see results,

...

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