Worried about low body weight but high dress size

[Grasses]

I know everyone's body shape varies but I'm worried that I'm weirdly light for my height and yet still a size 14-16 in most shops. I have a fairly big chest and a fattish tummy.

I'm 5 ft 8 (173cm) and weigh 9 and a half stone / 61kg and charts put me at about size 6. I know it can vary but this seems like a HUGE difference and I'm worried what I'm missing. Could it be osteoporosis??

Firstly, I dint know what charts put 5'8" 61kg at a size 6. It would be a 8-10 by most standards. But that is still way lower than your actual size. It can be a a result of bones that lack density. Do women in your family suffer with osteoporosis is later life? Also low muscle mass will make you weigh lighter than someone with more muscle. So two people weighing the same can be very different in dimensions. Low muscle mass = bigger. High muscle mass = smaller.

I'm 172cm and when I'm 61kg I'm a 10-12.

I believe you can pay for a private bone density scan. I think it's DEXA, around £60.

I’m 172 and at 9.5 stone and I’m a size ten. Your size does seem way off your weight. Not sure what it means. Worth a GP appt for reassurance?

I’m the same height, I’m a eight to ten at that weight.

Are you sure that’s what you weigh?

Op do you have slim thighs, arms, and bum? Is it your tummy and boobs that make you a fourteen to sixteen?

Because this is wholly possible if you carry your weight on your tummy and chest.

Your BMI is healthy.

Is that an American 6? Because that's a bigger size in the U.K.

If you have small bones- delicate wrists- you will weigh less. Also if you are inactive so have low muscle mass.

I'm broadly built and quite muscular- I will always be at the top of my weight band, and will never be less than a 14. My rib cage is big, hips wide, wrists heavy. I'm more hobbit than elf.
You can be 5'8" and willowy, or 5'8" and strong.

Also 5'8

When I was 9.5 stone I was a size 10 and very, obviously thin. As in, could see my ribs thin. I also have quite big boobs.

I'm 11 stone now and a size 12.

Are you sure that is what you weigh? What's your bra size?

Thank you for replying! Nobody has had osteoporosis in my family, also I'm 41 and expecting menopause in about 10 years based on female relatives (though aware it could be sooner)

I'm fairly active, I have small children and don't drive so a lot of walking and pushing buggy. I can make my arm muscles do a visible bump. So surprised if it's lack of muscles.

Smeerf I have never been a size 10 in my life! Jealous of the nice clothes.

Thank you I'll look up DEXA for a bone scan

I would get a scan OP.

I have the opposite thing so I completely understand. Even when I was at the height of an eating disorder and a size 6-8, I never went below 9 stone 7. I’m 5”5. I was convinced I had loads of that “visceral fat” that was making me heavier than I looked and used to obsess with those scales that measure body fat etc.

Just get a scan so you stop worrying- or so that you can do what you need to to look after yourself if there is a problem.

I’m 5ft 8’ and weigh 61kg. I’m a size 10 in most things although tend to go for size 12 in trousers. I’m small on top, tiny waist but wider hips and big bum.

(I do suspect that 20 years ago I’d have worn a size 12-14.)

I'm 5 ft 7 and 56kg and definitely not a 6! I'm a 10..sometimes 12 for tops as I have broad shoulders . Are you an apple shape? If as you describe you have boobs and a tum then that's the size of clothes you need to go round the bigger bits. And at 5 ft 8 I imagine you have a bigger frame overall than say someone who is 5 ft 2 and 61kg.

It also depends where you shop tbh...!

Are your scales broken? I'm the same height and around the same weight and I'm an 8/10. Your numbers don't add up to me either. I know that's not helpful!

@Bluntness100

Op do you have slim thighs, arms, and bum? Is it your tummy and boobs that make you a fourteen to sixteen?

Because this is wholly possible if you carry your weight on your tummy and chest.

They're not massive but certainly not tiny. I'm definitely an apple shape though, if that's still a thing. Looking forward to type 2 diabetes 👌

I am same age as you, 5”8 and at 9”12 I am a size 10, sometimes 12 on top purely due to large boobs. If I dropped half a stone I would be an 8-10 though, definitely not a 6. Your weight vs. size does seem off.

Hi Op, I’m 5ft7 and that weight, and a size 8-12 in most shops but would sometimes size up to an L in the likes of Zara, Ms Selfridge, H&M for a flattering fit in a dress, or to not stretch across my boobs. I am thin, but not narrow/little (if that makes sense). I do think sizes vary a lot, but wondered if perhaps your using USA charts re sizing?

For context: my sister is a bit taller than me, with stomach/weight problems, a UK size 4-6 and usually between 7.5-8stone.

If you are worried, I’m sure a trip to the GP would do no harm.

I'm short so not the same as you, but I know most people at my height and weight are in a smaller size than me. I have narrow shoulders, small wrists and skinny arms and legs but have big boobs and tummy. I definitely have low muscle bulk which I believe is why I am in a size bigger than most at my weight.

That does seem odd. At 14st 7 and 5ft 10 I'm a 14 top, 16 bottom
12 stone for me is a size 12

Bone mass makes up quite a small proportion of body weight anyway (have just had a look and seems to be 12-15%, so if there’s as big a discrepancy as you say (I’m much shorter so no idea), I’m not sure it could be solely attributed to bone density.

I'm 5ft 9 & was that weight I was an 8-10 & didn't think I looked good. But I have a small frame & can look quite lanky.

At the size I was a 34DD & I never needed a 14-16.

What is your waist measurement?

@DianaT1969

I believe you can pay for a private bone density scan. I think it's DEXA, around £60.

Do you know where you can book this?

What are your actual measurements, out of interest (bust, waist, hips)?

I’m the same height as you, I weigh 12 stone and I wear a size 10-12. Although I shop almost exclusively in Asda and Sainsbury’s (so there’s the vanity sizing factor), plus I like to wear my clothes very fitted not loose.

Back when I used to be a nice slim 9 stone 7, like you, I wore size 8 tops and 10 bottoms.

I'd check first if other things or people weigh what they should on your scales. Or weigh yourself on a different set if poss. Before booking a bone density scan....