Do Americans Have an Inflated Perception of a "Healthy Weight"?

Question

First, let me just say that I know that skinny doesn't mean healthy. People dying of terminal illnesses are often skinny. I understand that, okay?

But it seems like what used to be considered "chubby" decades ago, or in other countries today, is considered "healthy/womanly/normal" here.

I am steady at 5'10 & 140 lb - eating schitt and garbage all day long, due to being in college. When I went vegan (few months ago), and eschewed chemical, processed foods - even eating calorically-dense foods in abundance, I got down to 124 - and felt great! And I have a VERY large frame.

If I was in Europe, or Asia, 124 lbs wouldn't be such a big deal. Here, I had people telling me to "eat a sandwich" or "you look like Paris Hilton - you should eat more. Curves are beautiful".

Are our perceptions of health distorted by all the crap-food today and the people they affect?

Oh yeah: Vanity sizing. Marilyn Monroe's size 14 is like a 4 now.

I guess the bottom line is, are our ideal body weights ALL lower than we think? Sure, you think you're comfortable at, I don't know, 5'4 and 125 lbs, but is your true, healthy weight lower?

I'm not implying that anyone's fat, I'm just curious about this.

Kiki - Looking like Paris Hilton is a "goal" to people?? I dare you, ask anyone, "What do you think of Paris Hilton's body?", they will be repulsed. Oh, and like I said before, Marilyn Monroe's size 14 is the equivalent to today's 4 or 6. She was a 35-22-35. Would today's size 14 measure out to be that? Didn't think so.

Answer 1

Well,I'm vegan and people in my family think I'm starving myself,because I eat alot of fruits and veggies,they think that those foods aren't REAL food,they don't know that they are packed with nutrients.I also run alot and workout alot too.I have a low bodyfat percentage and don't have much fat on me...my family thinks I don't eat and they think I'm lacking in protein.I've always been in shape..my cousin lost like25 pounds recently and my family thinks he got skinny...he didn't...he got healthy,he lost alot of bodyfat and was rnnning everyday,etc. They think too skinny,but he is actually at a good weight.

I think it goes both ways..people think they are too fat..and others think they are too skinny...they look at the other end rather than actually getting to know what a healthy weight is.

Answer 2

I think so. I am 5'4 and after having my baby I went from 105 to 135. Everyone keeps telling me how great I look, but I know I am supposed to weigh 120, though if I could get to 105 again naturally I would be happy. I am on a diet and I will stay on the diet until I am 115.

Answer 3

In Asia especially, they tend to have smaller body frames compared to the west. They even have lower BMI standards, so 124lb at 5ft10 might be okay. But for a large framed 5ft10 woman, this would be underweight. I can only imagine you have very low muscle mass or low bone density which is not so great. This is typical of vegans who don't get enough protein in their diet.

As for ideal body weights, everyone is different. Maybe yours is lower than what is typical (although not 124lb). Others may be higher than is typical. I am 5ft2 and 120lb-125lb and I have a perfectly healthy body fat percentage. I work out 5 times a week, I know I'm healthy. For me to be 100lb with my current lean mass would make my body fat extremely low and that would be very unhealthy and dangerous. So what applies to one person doesn't necessarily apply to everyone.

Answer 4

No , if you do not believe this, try "deadly nightshade" mushrooms, Belladonna, Hemlock, even celery and rhubarb, and kidney beans, (if not boiled for a sufficient time), contain traces of poisons, it is a case of the natural being dangerous, and even with organic growing methods, they leave contaminants on the crop, and if left, (like some breads, the fungus that grows, if it is not stored, properly, can cause cancers) To be sure you must, check storage and treatment standards, and the manner of preparation, ...as well as the organic produce in question....

Answer 5

Actually we seem to live in a society where being as skinny as Paris Hilton is the goal. Marilyn Monroe was a size 14 and she was a sex symbol and very healthy. She would be considered fat by today's standards. People are killing themselves now more than ever to be skin and bones, thinking that is how they're supposed to look.

Answer 6

I know people that are 90 pounds, 5'5, and perfectly healthy. People of a "normal weight" ARE healthy, but that doesn't mean skinny. You can be healthy and chubby, just like you can be healthy and skinny. Weight isn't the only deciding factor in whether or not someone is healthy.

Answer 7

Hmmm well. I have a small frame and built sort of pixie-ish. Not so short, like 5'5'' and 110 lbs. I like to eat healthy, and constantly get crap for eating salads. So my first thought is that they are just jealous.

Then I think of how you say you have a large frame, so if your bones are sticking out and stuff like that then that may not be so attractive. Sticky-out bones really aren't that cool.

So I hope that helps you make your decision.

Answer 8

basically there is a healthy range. Go by Body Mass Index, webmd.com has a link where you can type your weight in. Being overweight means your heart has to work harder, but if you are underweight then you have so little body fat that it is bad. I would say it is hard to be considered underweight, pretty much if your anorexic would be the only time your underweight.

Answer 9

Who cares. I don't care if I am fat, if other people think I'm fat, if other countries enjoy making remarks of my fat American ***, or if I wear a size 2 or 222!

Life is too short to sit and worry if you're "too fat". I don't feel the need to weigh 2 pounds above organ failure, or be so skinny that you could play the xylophone on my ribs.

I am what I am.

Edit-
I would rather be a fat, wobbling, jelly-filled whale than to be as uneducated and pathetic as that noter "iim the kween" Or whatever her name is! I might not be a size 2 but I CAN SPELL!

Answer 10

mm... so releat (to be fair i am a little underwait im a little over 5foot 7 and 103.4 pounds)but why is ok to b over wait but us who r normal wait r called twiggy and stuff like that it would never be ok to tell the over weight ppl that call me twiggy fatty we all lol when im twiggy but they would be so pissed if i caledm fatty thats not fair in americia ppl like us who r naturle under weight(i eat i exersize this is just how im built) r so rare they dont exepect us in the usa in other countrys there all about r size so were ok