Body types

I never quite understood the reason for the difference between male and female rower physiques. In my five years of being around the sport I've noticed this:
men tend to be lean, sometimes muscular and undoubtedly more athletic than the average couch potato. It makes sense given the strength and endurance components of the sport that they would be.
Women involved in the sport, however, range from athletic to fat. I've seen whole boats of scholarship women who looked like they could beat me in a pie-eating contest. My coach once pointed out to me that the varsity 8 I rowed in my sophomore year was lighter than the top women's varsity 8 that same year. That's pretty remarkable. So how is this possible?
"I've always wondered that too. I guess we, as females, think that since we practice daily for 2 hours, it gives us the right to consume anything. I guess not," said Meredith Murphy, a rower from Great Bridge high school.
Brooks Dame of Episcopal high school says "I think since you work so hard at practice you're starving so you go home and eat. Guys in general have a higher metabolism so they're OK. Females don't."
Metabolism may be an issue. I just don't understand how female rowers can be more overweight than someone who isn't involved athletically. In every other endurance sport I've ever watched, the female participants were really fit. There have been so many instances in rowing where they just aren't.
Shane Lewis of Dowling University writes "I would like to propose a rule that certain girls that are overweight cant wear spandex in public like certain girls that aren't overweight."
I think what he's saying is that they should be more self conscious. I can't say I completely disagree.

Quotes were taken from my discussion topic on a Facebook.com rowing forum