Muhammad Ali is much taller obviously hes not gonna be a unit, thats basic human physiology
More somali guys need to hit the gym
- Thread starter Sigmundd
- Start date
Both men and women need to lose weight. We looked better during the Siad Barre days. We need to bring that look back.
Idilinaa
VIP
You often see Somalis with certain physical traits frailty, thinness, obesity or low muscle mass because many are not in optimal health. Nutrient deficiencies are surprisingly common, especially in iron, vitamin A, and vitamin D. These deficiencies largely stem from diet and lifestyle rather than genetics.
For example, overconsumption of milk (which inhibits iron absorption) without enough red meat can lead to iron deficiency. Low vitamin D is often due to limited sun exposure and indoor urban living, while vitamin A is typically lacking in diets with few vegetables or animal fats.
Looking through historical accounts, Somali fishermen were consistently described as robust, muscular, and energetic followed by agro-pastoralists. At the bottom were urban dwellers, often viewed as frail or undernourished or overweight at times. These town populations consumed high amounts of oil, rice, and milk, with little meat and minimal physical activity, sound familiar?
This traditional reer magaalo (urban dweller) lifestyle has more or less continued today. Coffee has been replaced with khat, and physical activity has dropped even more. What’s important here is that many of the physical traits Somalis associate with "ethnic appearance" like being slim, frailty or obesity may actually be symptoms of chronic undernutrition or overconsumption of empty calories linked to lifestyle rather than anything inherent or genetic.
What really drives this point home is how dramatically people’s appearance changes when they shift to a higher-protein diet and engage in physical activity. Look at the transformation of that Somali guy who trained to become a sprinter or past examples like the African long jump champion of Somali background. These athletes prove Somalis can excel in explosive, strength-based sports not just endurance if the right conditions are in place.
And contrary to popular belief, there’s no strong genetic evidence that East Africans are “naturally built” for endurance. Consider this peer-reviewed study:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
And a 2024 meta-analysis summed it up even more clearly:
www.degruyterbrill.com
The real "advantage" is high-altitude training (2,000–3,000 m) that boosts oxygen efficiency, plus early aerobic training, strong community support, and a culture of athletic excellence.
Also worth noting: Somali runners Ayanleh Souleiman and Abdi Bile were middle-distance champions, not long-distance runners. Mo Farah, a long-distance legend, attributes much of his success to training in high-altitude Kenya, learning from the best Kenyan athletes in Iten home to many world-class runners.
Bottom line is this, instead of leaning on vague ideas of genetics, Somalis should focus on improving their nutrition, lifestyle, and access to athletic development. The potential is there, it just needs to be unlocked.
For example, overconsumption of milk (which inhibits iron absorption) without enough red meat can lead to iron deficiency. Low vitamin D is often due to limited sun exposure and indoor urban living, while vitamin A is typically lacking in diets with few vegetables or animal fats.
Looking through historical accounts, Somali fishermen were consistently described as robust, muscular, and energetic followed by agro-pastoralists. At the bottom were urban dwellers, often viewed as frail or undernourished or overweight at times. These town populations consumed high amounts of oil, rice, and milk, with little meat and minimal physical activity, sound familiar?
This traditional reer magaalo (urban dweller) lifestyle has more or less continued today. Coffee has been replaced with khat, and physical activity has dropped even more. What’s important here is that many of the physical traits Somalis associate with "ethnic appearance" like being slim, frailty or obesity may actually be symptoms of chronic undernutrition or overconsumption of empty calories linked to lifestyle rather than anything inherent or genetic.
What really drives this point home is how dramatically people’s appearance changes when they shift to a higher-protein diet and engage in physical activity. Look at the transformation of that Somali guy who trained to become a sprinter or past examples like the African long jump champion of Somali background. These athletes prove Somalis can excel in explosive, strength-based sports not just endurance if the right conditions are in place.
And contrary to popular belief, there’s no strong genetic evidence that East Africans are “naturally built” for endurance. Consider this peer-reviewed study:
Genotypes and distance running : clues from Africa - PubMed
A look at the medal podium in almost any international sporting competition reveals that some athletes and certain countries enjoy regular success in particular events. While environmental influences such as training and diet are important, it is likely that there is also some genetic component...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
And a 2024 meta-analysis summed it up even more clearly:
Why the dominance of East Africans in distance running? A narrative review
Introduction Runners from East Africa including Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda have dominated middle- and long-distance running events, for almost six decades. This narrative review examines and updates current understanding of the factors explaining the dominance of East Africans in distance...
The real "advantage" is high-altitude training (2,000–3,000 m) that boosts oxygen efficiency, plus early aerobic training, strong community support, and a culture of athletic excellence.
Also worth noting: Somali runners Ayanleh Souleiman and Abdi Bile were middle-distance champions, not long-distance runners. Mo Farah, a long-distance legend, attributes much of his success to training in high-altitude Kenya, learning from the best Kenyan athletes in Iten home to many world-class runners.
Bottom line is this, instead of leaning on vague ideas of genetics, Somalis should focus on improving their nutrition, lifestyle, and access to athletic development. The potential is there, it just needs to be unlocked.
Idilinaa
VIP
That being said, we’re definitely seeing a health and fitness shift happening in Somalia.
I remember watching this BBC segment where a Somali nutritionist discussed how people during Ramadan were eating unbalanced meals heavy in sugar, carbs, and oils, but lacking key nutrients like protein and vitamins:
On the bright side, there’s now a visible surge in gym memberships and new gyms opening up in major cities like Mogadishu and Hargeisa:
And this isn’t limited to men. Somali women are also entering the fitness space, with more women-only gyms opening and promoting wellness:
Pioneering women's fitness in Mogadishu – DW – 12/02/2020
Women's gyms are a rarity in Somalia. A woman leading a gym is even rarer. But that's exactly what Aisha Muhyadin is doing — keeping women fit, building self-confidence and maintaining a thriving business.
www.dw.com
I really hope this trend continues and expands to include more awareness around diet especially for women, who are often overlooked in public health discussions. There’s a lot of potential for lasting change if this momentum is supported culturally and institutionally.
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