What is "fat"?

[jellymoon]

How do you know for sure you are "fat" versus "soft"?

At what point do you cross the threshold of having a bit to spare to being viewed in the world as just plain fat?

Is it defined by a weight? By a size? By an appearance?

And, does it really matter?

 

[DawnCt]

Fat is 10 pounds more than I want to be!

 

[Jeff in BigD]

I think a good inidicator is when a person can no longer buy clothes from a department store.

 

[BostonTigger]

Fat is what I currently weigh when I don't look like those underwear models.

 

[Aly]

YES, it kinda matters, to some people ( those people are models or people who are full of thenselves who think being fat meens ur 78 puonds instead of 74)........ not me, i really dont care........ but being too fat can be unhealthy , and u have a shorter life exspectancy.


I couldn't tell u what fat is....... i'm not too sure myself......




~!~^*Aly*^~!~

 

[Wick]

there are medical standards that define "Obese" versus "overweight."
i feel Obese is when you're walking down the street and you see someone so large that you look twice.
overweight i think could be viewed as Not a severe health risk, but could afford to loose a few pounds.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Fat does not matter, the result of having too much of it may matter. For example I was once forced to ask for another train seat because the gentleman next to me took up too much of my seat...and I didn't want to stay in the bar car all night.

For me "fat" is the point at which I begin to catch colds from other people (because I'm relentlessly healthy until I cross a certain point in weight).

As for the world...standards vary so much as to make this question worthless.

As far as "soft" versus "fat". There are many thin weak people who are "soft". There are many strong people with spare tires who are otherwise "firm". When playing volleyball I'd rather have the zoftig women on my team because they are generally stronger and more coordinated than those who are thin due to dieting or just nature (the 98 pound weakling syndrome). At the same time I'd rather have an average size man because the same equation does not apply in reverse. Of course I'd REALLY rather have the muscle-bound regardless of size.

 

[froglady]

This reminds me of a survey taken in the 70s. People were asked how much more money they would have to earn to be "happy" and how much to be "rich." The large majority answered $50,00 and $100,000, regardless of their current income.

It looks like you'll get the same sort of answers on this one. Anyone who weighs X number of pounds more than I do is "fat."

However, there are ways to measure the percentage of body fat, which will objectively tell you if you're fat, healthy, or fit. Most people would rather not know.

 

[Goofyish]

The scientific way to work out if you are over-weight or obese is to use your BMI - Body Mass Index.

You can work this out like this:

1. Measure and record your weight in pounds
2. Measure and record your height in inches
3. Body Mass Index = (your weight X 705) divided by (body height X body height)

Then compare your BMI with the following:

Under 20 (19 for women) = Underweight
Between 20 and 24.99 = Normal Weight
Between 25 and 29.99 = Overweight
Between 30 and 34.99 = Obese Class 1
Between 35 and 39.99 = Obese Class 2
40 and above = Extreme (Morbid) Obesity

 

[pooh6890]

Fat is when you bend over to tie your shoes or pick something up and your face turns red and it's hard to breathe. I just gotta lose weight this year!

 

[Indyman]

Originally posted by Goofyish
The scientific way to work out if you are over-weight or obese is to use your BMI - Body Mass Index.

You can work this out like this:

1. Measure and record your weight in pounds
2. Measure and record your height in inches
3. Body Mass Index = (your weight X 705) divided by (body height X body height)

Then compare your BMI with the following:

Under 20 (19 for women) = Underweight
Between 20 and 24.99 = Normal Weight
Between 25 and 29.99 = Overweight
Between 30 and 34.99 = Obese Class 1
Between 35 and 39.99 = Obese Class 2
40 and above = Extreme (Morbid) Obesity

Body fat percentage is a much more accurate measure than BMI. BMI doesn't take body type into account. For instance, a finely conditioned athlete who's 6 ft tall and weighs 230 with less than 10% body fat would have a BMI of 31.3.

 

[BluOrchid2]

I think a good inidicator is when a person can no longer buy clothes from a department store._____________
-Jeff in BigD (Just the same old thong & prance)

Jeff, I just gotta say, I LOVE YOU MAN! #1, according to your qualifier, I'm not fat!!! and #2, very cute play on words in your siggie! Made me smile this morning, and I thank you for that!!!

 

[mtemm]

to me soft is thin..in your target weight...but out of shape/no tone. Fat is anything 10lbs over your target weight. Makes me fat right now...I'm about 20 over and its killing me. That said, think I'll go work out.

 

[FergieTCat]

It depends --

In the movies and TV, any women over a Size 4 thinks she's fat. In the real world, anyone above a healthy weight (which is different for different people) is considered fat.

Same thing for men. Different sizes, but most leading men are too thin.