For far too long, being healthy was confused with being skinny. Just because someone is skinny doesn’t necessarily mean they’re healthy. And in order to be healthy, you don’t need to be skinny. “Skinny” is a broad term that is subject to debate and interpretation. And for those women who are naturally thin or blessed with a speedy metabolism, being skinny can sometimes be a curse. This article details several myths surrounding the word “skinny” to help you reconfigure your perception of what it means to be healthy. But if you are on the hunt for a skinnier frame, learn more here about how CBD might help.
What is a Healthy Weight?
Before we get into specific myths surrounding skinny people, it’s important to understand what a healthy weight looks like. The average weight of both children and adults is determined use the BMI, or body mass index. This tool is used to determine if your current weight is healthy for your height, age, and gender. Calculations are given in percentages. This tool is commonly used at the pediatrician’s office to help track a child’s growth and development in relation to other children their same age. Kids fall into a “percentile”, meaning they are either taller or shorter than average kids their same age or weigh more or less than a certain percentage. From here, adjustments in diet can be made. For adults, the ideal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9 percent. Anything under 18.5 means you are underweight and over 25 percent but under 30 means you are overweight. BMI over 30 places you in the obese category and your doctor may refer you to a nutritionist.
Myths Associated with Being Skinny
Categorizing someone as “skinny” is all about perception. There’s no magic number on the scale that indicates if someone is skinny or not. But if you know someone who is especially thin or you yourself are teased or interrogated about your small frame, these myths are for you.
Being Skinny Means You’re Healthy
This myth is completely false. There are plenty of people that may not be considered skinny who are extremely healthy, fit, and strong. You’ve likely heard the phrase “muscle weighs more than fat”. This isn’t completely accurate. One pound of fat is equal to one pound of muscle. The difference is, muscle takes up less room on your frame than fat. Therefore, when you replace one pound of fat with one pound of muscle, you will become smaller, lose inches, and perhaps, fit into a smaller pant size. For those people who choose to starve themselves in an effort to be “skinny”, they are far from healthy. When your body doesn’t get the proper nutrients, it wreaks havoc on your internal system. Your body can’t function properly without adequate vitamins and minerals. People living on a restrictive diet that limits calories may experience hair loss, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, a weakened immune system, and often complain of being cold do to poor circulation. On the flipside, many thin people are extremely healthy and have a petite frame thanks to proper diet and exercise.
If You’re Too Skinny It Means You Have an Eating Disorder
All too often, people dismiss skinny people as having an eating disorder. This statement is often made to cover up those individuals frustrations with their own weight loss journey, and perhaps, failures. Not every skinny person has an eating disorder. In fact, making this blanket statement is offensive to the 1 in 5 women who actually struggle with an eating disorder. There are plenty of thin people who eat plenty of food and still remain underweight. This can happen due to several factors including a fast metabolism (more on that later), choosing the right combination of foods, and getting adequate exercise. Eating disorders should not be taken lightly. If you’re concerned your friend or loved one is struggling, keep your eye out for signs including refusal to eat, frequent visits to the bathroom following meals, and avoidance of social situations involving food.
There’s No Such Thing as a Fast Metabolism
Everyone is born with a different metabolism. Some people are blessed with a highly efficient metabolism that burns calories at a fast pace, while others struggle to jump start a slow metabolism that leads to weight gain. Your metabolism is responsible for breaking down your food and turning it into energy and fuel for your body to use. The more you exercise the faster and more efficient your metabolism becomes. This is known as your metabolic rate. The faster your metabolism is, the more food your body needs. It’s not a myth that fast metabolisms create skinnier people. Some people have such a fast metabolism that they’re unable to gain weight or keep weight on. The speed of your metabolism is directly related to your thyroid and how well if functions. Overactive or underactive thyroids can also impact your weight and your body’s ability to breakdown food.
Skinny People are More Confident and Happier
This is a complete fallacy. Being skinny doesn’t equal happiness. Those who believe this are often struggling with their own self-esteem and self-confidence. If you’re currently struggling to lose weight by eating the right foods and exercising regularly with no change, it can get frustrating to see someone who is naturally skinny without putting forth effort. Sadly, just as the two words “skinny” and “healthy” have been intertwined, so has the belief that being skinny means being beautiful. The American culture has placed great importance on females looking a certain way. This image is portrayed all over social media, television, and movies and it’s a very unhealthy and unrealistic bar to set for women. The average woman is just under 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds. The average model is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs just 117 pounds. Millions of women strive to portray an unrealistic body image and believe that if they could just lose those pesky 10 or 20 pounds, they’d finally be happy. Confidence comes from within and starts with self-acceptance, not a diet.
Conclusion
Being skinny isn’t a bad thing. Unfortunately, the world has a distorted view of what skinny means and how to achieve it. Having realistic and healthy expectations about yourself and your body are important for leading a full life and reaching your goals the right way.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
