How do we define Fat?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
How do we define Fat?
14
Mon, 10-01-2007 - 5:35am

And I am not referring to the biological term, I am talking about when we look at ourselves or others, what would be considered fat? Is a BMI above 25 fat or above 29? I am just confused as to where the line between average and fat is I am curious as to what others think. I personally think that I am not necessary fat, but could lose a few but am sure someone else would call me fat if in an argument (my bmi is 23.8).

So what about you ladies?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 10-01-2007 - 6:55am

You know with all the different figurations out there for measuring I personally see fat as flab. If there's a jiggle in my arms, which there is, then I feel they're fat. Now of course theres's variations on how much fat there is.


Yes, BMI does measure, but I can't necessarily see that. So I count the flab.








Virgin Islands


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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2001
Mon, 10-01-2007 - 12:01pm

To me - my fat is my "lumps" or bulge around the waist/tummy area. I am the master of hiding it so many people don't understand why I'm always exercising or dieting. They think I'm "skinny" but they don't see me naked! lol


So when looking at other people I define fat as the same thing - any lumps or bulges that I don't think should be there.





iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Mon, 10-01-2007 - 12:02pm

"Fat" is truly a subjective term. What some call fat others call average and what some call skinny some call average.


BMI can be a bit misleading depending on what your muscle mass is like - I mean a really muscular athlete is going to have a high BMI but certainly won't be fat!


I'm curious as to the context of the question - is it for your own personal judgement or is it coming from someone else's comment?


There are so many other terms like overweight, obese, unfit, chubby, husky, hefty, and really when you think about all those words, they likely bring a particular picture to mind of a body type.


As for ranking by BMI there are probably a few differing opinions on where the category lines are - but here's a graph from the World Health Organization:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Body_mass_index_chart.svg


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Mon, 10-01-2007 - 12:17pm
The context is really based on what I have seen in the media and what I see when I look in the mirror. For instance, Britany Spears is supposed to be fat! Size zero is mounting to be the desired look? Its so overwhelming that I no longer have a grasp on where I fall in the spectrum. I was just curious as to how others see it. It makes sence and is fair to judge people in the same manner you judge yourself. I am just really confused as well cuz before I lost the weight, I did not realise how "fat" I was. I think my head needs to catch up with my body cuz they are not agreeing with one another and I am hoping to find the equalibrium.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Mon, 10-01-2007 - 1:05pm

I think it's unrealistic to go by Hollywood's standard of what is "fat" Hollywood isn't the real world.


Go by what your doctor says. That is the only "EXPERT" that I would listen too.


Smile,

Deirdre

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 10-01-2007 - 6:28pm

You know when I read through all the posts here I thought I should really clarify what *my* opinion really meant.


I said I thought as flab as fat. However that's just for how I feel about myself, not necessarily anyone else. Example- I don't see Brittney as fat- sure her body's not as toned as it used to be...... but I wouldn't say she's fat. Those kind of comments I just keep for myself ;-)




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Avatar for schnappsers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-01-2007 - 6:52pm
I'm like you....I've learned to dress so my tummy is hidden, since that's where I carry most of my fat. My legs actually look pretty skinny, so I wear a lot of dark, form fitting then flared at the bottom pants.
Avatar for schnappsers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-01-2007 - 6:55pm

Unless you have a doctor like mine.....he's huge, so I won't ask him about weight loss or ideal weight he probably sees me a scrawny by his standards. I see him as setting a terrible example for his patients, but he is a good doctor, so I stick with him.


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-29-2005
Mon, 10-01-2007 - 10:06pm
It depends on if the fat is on me or someone else....I don't know what my BMI is and really don't care.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Tue, 10-02-2007 - 7:44am
I am not talking about the doctors "body" I'm talking about what they SAY, doctors are human they fully capable of having the same food issues as the rest of us. But if my doctor reads my charts, tells me that my BMI is normal, my heart rate is normal, my cholesterol is normal and that I am within the healthy range for everything and that I am not FAT than I am going to believe HIM whether he is FAT or not over whether I am a size 0 and the magazines are saying I am fat that was my point in regards to the magazines vs. what my doctors say about me.


Smile,

Deirdre

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