I looked on a chart in the Nurse's office at school and it said that I was overweight for my height. I'm 5'3 and 140lbs. And my body fat pecentage is 33%. I have an hourglass shape and I have a very big butt and large breasts. Is it me or are these weight charts a little unfair and biased?
2006-10-05 10:46:34 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
The chart said that I should be between 110-130lbs. Ew, if I lose that much weight I'll be all bones.
2006-10-05 10:48:29 · update #1
I have a very tiny waist. It's 24inches.
2006-10-05 10:49:08 · update #2
My nurse said that the scale is very biased because I'm off African decent and African women tend to be more curvier.
2006-10-05 10:52:36 · update #3
I'm on a healthy diet. I eat vegtables, fruit, chicken, fish, and nuts. I can't comsume dairy because I'm lactose intolerant
2006-10-05 10:54:55 · update #4
I'm on a healthy diet. I eat vegtables, fruit, chicken, fish, and nuts. I can't comsume dairy because I'm lactose intolerant
2006-10-05 10:55:09 · update #5
How did they find out your body fat percentage exactly? I'm wondering if they made a mistake. You would have to have pretty big hips, over 45 inches to have such a high body fat percentage, as your waist is so tiny. At 5ft 3 and 140lb, you are not actually overweight, although for your age this may be a little bit high.
If you have a 24 inch waist, and the fat is all concentrated around your hips and bust, you are probably quite heatlhy with a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes. Also if you tried to lose weight, you are going to end up with no waist left! I think you should just try to maintain your weight as it is ok as it stands. Your BMI is about 24.8, which is still within the healthy weight range for your height.
You sound like you have a great figure, you are making me sooo jealous!! HTH : )
2006-10-05 12:23:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
140lbs at 5'3" is on the cusp of normal and overweight. Basically, it wouldn't hurt to maybe lose 5 or 10lbs.
But don't assume your body fat percentage based on a chart. You can get a more accurate body fat measurement at the gym (have a trainer measure you). Sometimes the school nurse can do this measurement. Maybe a nutritionist, too. Your doctor could, if s/he has time. It's easy. They pinch folds of skin on various points on your body and measure how thick the fold it. Then with some minor number crunching, they can tell you what your body fat percentage it.
I can tell you 33% is not healthy. Your percentage really should be in the mid to low 20s. Having too much body fat puts you at elevated risk for heart disease, diabetes, and heck, it can cause your birth control pills (if you take them) to FAIL.
What i'm saying is, be concerned, but don't put all your stock in a chart. Get a full physical assessment from a health professional.
2006-10-05 17:55:14 · answer #2 · answered by Gumdrop Girl 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Actually, your weight seems fine, especially if you don't have much fat around the stomach. If you're happy with your weight, I say forget about those charts, but if your not, there are plenty of ways to lose weight that don't require drastic lifestyle changes. However, it is best to consult a physician to see if your health is ok in other areas before deciding if you'd like to keep or change your current weight.
2006-10-05 17:53:53 · answer #3 · answered by Crono 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Americans are getting larger by the decade. The charts utilized were build some years ago. The basic answer is yes. Americans need to eat less and eat the right things. Look at the size of porportions received at restrauants (even fast food). Everyone thinks they get a better deal if the meal is larger, when in fact, it only adds to our obesity in America. We only need 1/2 of the daily calories we eat.
2006-10-05 17:52:01 · answer #4 · answered by Greg B 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
check out your BMI...body mass index.
Risk of Associated Disease According to BMI and Waist Size count. Do yours http://www.consumer.gov/weightloss/bmi.htm
Your BMI is 24.8 which is on the highest end of normal. You want your BMI to be between 18.5-24.9. Just keep exercising and eating healthy so you don't go in the overweight category.
2006-10-05 17:51:47 · answer #5 · answered by WiserAngel 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you are still in school you are still growing. You are the only one who knows whether your shape is the one you were born to have or the one you picked up at the grocery store.
Be happy with yourself. I was skinny growing up and now I am just right. Too much emphasis on thin, flat, coat hanger girls. I have never, in my life, ever heard a man lust after a skinny woman. Just don't get flabby.
If you are still unsure, ask your doctor.
2006-10-05 17:56:50 · answer #6 · answered by Liligirl 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Good news... you aren't obese, but overweight. Those charts are there to help people understand what weight will most likely guarantee a long, healthy life. If you drop 10 lbs you will feel, move and breathe a lot easier.
2006-10-05 17:57:24 · answer #7 · answered by mediahoney 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
the charts are b.s. if you look good, then why are you even doubting yourself.
im 5'7 and im 120 lbs and im sure thats supposedly normal according to those charts, but trust me, i see very few girls this small.
theyre not even unfair or biased, i just think they are unrealistic & out of date and have been for like the past 15 years.
2006-10-05 17:49:25 · answer #8 · answered by ::A'La Mode:: 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Read some useful weight loss tips and more on this site to help you lose weight
2006-10-05 17:47:53 · answer #9 · answered by cutie 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm 5'6" and weigh 140 pounds that is about right. If you are 5'3" you need to loose weight. You can do it with self will. good luck
2006-10-05 17:50:36 · answer #10 · answered by israel 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋