Thin=Unhealthy?

[Kathi]

I'm not trying to start a war here but when I read posts from women complaining about their weight someone comes up with the comment "I'd rather be my weight than some unhealthy, thin person". The assumption being that thin is unhealthy.

Yes, some do smoke, have eating disorders or have some other illnesses that contribute to their thinness but one source I read says that 70% of thin people are naturally thin. If this is the case, I wonder why thin is considered unhealthy?

Doesn't lifestyle and genes contribute to good health as much as body size?

[Tater]

I have been thin all my life. My mother thought I was going to be in size 6X forever! In fact, my family took to calling me 'Skinny Jenny' and still does every so often. I was blessed in that my mother cooked healthy meals and passed those skills on to me. I certainly do think lifestyle has a lot to do with good health. I have always been active from participating in high school sports, to scuba diving, being in the military, running and cycling. I don't like to sit still.

I have found, however, that my thin-ness bothers some people. 'You need to eat more', they say, or 'Why do you bike (or run) so much, you don't need to exercise, you're so thin already.'

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Kathi

I don't think those comments are aimed at healthy thin, or not-overweight people.

My perception is that a comment such as

"I'd rather be my weight than some unhealthy, thin person"

is a rebellion and a defiance of the social value that manufacturers and advertisers try to sell women that if they can just get thin everything will be ok.

I know I am a consistent advocate on this board for women not to get obsessed with losing weight, because weight loss and being thin doesn't always equate to being healthy.

However, healthy, steady sensible weight loss does equate to increased healthiness.

There are also people who's metabolism is just quicker, and burns fuel so quick it never gets a chance to be stored. My closest friend was like that. Three of my hand spans could fit around her waist. When we ate she would eat three burgers to my one... she was always hungry and always skinny - but very healthhy - and always getting hassled cause people thought she was dieting or vomiting...

The thinness=healthy story is one sold to women who are not size 8-10, and completely overlooks the fact that healthy comes in all shapes and sizes. The trick is finding the right state of healthy-ness without deciding that you need to look like a Parisian cat walk model to be haelthy/fit...

[SadieKate]

I know thin women who think they are healthy because they hit the right BMI numbers. If you're thin and have no muscle tone or cardio fitness, you ain't healthy. There are lots of thin people with sky high cholesterol. In my mind, thin doesn't make you healthy. It is simply a matter of genetics or eating habits and really doesn't have much to do with health.

[Grog]

As a rule of thumb, I say it's better to be big and active than thin and sedentary.

Most thin women that can be seen in the media are dangerously thin, for both physical and psychological reasons.

Still, it makes sense to be preoccupied with your weight if you are way above (or below) your BMI. But it's not weight in itself that matters. Weight is a poor and limiting indicator of health...

[caligurl]

i think i'm the only person who GAINED weight (not just on the scale.. but my clothes too) after i took up cycling...

and no... it's not all muscle.. it's what i put into my mouth since i think i "can" since i ride... well.. WRONGO!!!!!!!!!! lol!

i do know at one point i was too thin... WAY too hard to maintain... NO cheating.. AT ALL... counting every little morsel... not matter how few the calories.... i gained a few pounds... ok... no problem.... i was still thin for me....

then i started cheating just about every weekend... UGH! now.. i'm MY opinion... i'm a cow.... cuz i have that extra 4-5 pounds over what i've decided my "ideal" is.... and a lot of my clothes are too tight! (and yes... 4-5 pounds on someone who is 5'3" is a LOT! and granted... a lot of them were bought when i was on my severe eating regime!)