To think a UK size 16-18 is not curvy but fat?

[GymGirl23]

Yes I know some will probably flame me for using the word fat but I'm concerned about some family members. The Mum is 5ft 4" with 3 daughters aged betwen 18 and 22 who are all a similar height. She and the eldest both take medication for High BP and the other 2 daughters are also heading that way.

The Mum said a while ago that it was 'great' they could swap clothes as they're all now a size 16-18! What bugs me is they are totally clueless about health topics and diet and the Mum has fed the girls crap diets all of their lives high in salt, fat and sugar. Even when they cook at home it's high in fat and sugar with huge portions! The worst part is she buries her head in the sand saying they're luckily not a fat family but are all just curvy girls and that it runs in the family along with High BP! The fact is they are all FAT and it's self inflicted and unfair on themselves. The girls are huge now with double chins and have no waists but hey they take great care with makeup, tan, hair and nails so that makes it OK then? Why can't they see what they're doing to themselves? My Mum says I shouldn't offer them advice as they get very offended if anyone ever suggested they were even slightly overweight but I would like to help them as I know alot about nutrition and keeping fit.

Are people who are that size truly happy with how they look and feel and do they believe they're not fat but have curves instead?

[HavelockVetinari]

Some posters are being disingenuous here (or are genuinely burying their heads in the sand). Being very overweight IS bad for your health, fitness not withstanding. Your heart must work harder carrying all the extra weight, your joints are under strain, and your risk of cancer and type II diabetes is greatly increased. Ability to run doesn't equate to health.

That said, any exercise is good, keep at it.

[GymGirl23]

It doesn't affect me and I certainly don't have contempt for them, they are family! But as the Mum often complains about knee joint issues and chaffing which are a direct result of her weight then I would dearly like to help her and them and offer advice that's all! She hasn't made the connection between the 2 things but if I can help family members I will. It's not an easy subject to bring up with anyone even if it is family members.

[Floofsquidge]

Have a OP. Your title is goady.
I don't think you really came here for an AIBU or real concern for their health, you came here for a humble brag. Well done you.

[Ginkypig]

Well I am 5' 7.5" and a (sometimes large)size 16 and I am fat if you want to be medical about it I am obese.

That being said nothing to do with you, they all of them are adults and it's up to them how they live their life. I'm not saying if they ask you a specific question you have to lie (as long as you aren't rude) either though.

I am fat, I know I am fat. I would like to sort it out for my Heath but that is a different thread! it's not anyone else's business or place to comment on it unless I specifically ask them.
I wouldn't comment on others sometimes very unhealthy choices so I wouldn't expect it in return.

[CtrlU]

It depends on the persons height honestly but yes I would agree that 5ft 3 and size 16-18 borders on fat.

I’m not being funny but not everyone who is big is ‘curvy’. For me I think of curvy being actual curves - think hourglass figure - not one big spherical curve. Let’s call a spade a spade. Fat is fat. Curvy is curvy.

[x2boys]

Do you think people who are overweight don't realise this Op 🤔I say this as an overweight person .

[rhia22]

I am a size 16, 5 foot 3 and I ran a half marathon last year on very little training. fat doesn't always equal health. Some people are naturally bigger than others I think you need to take a biiiig step back and concentrate on your own "health"

[BasinHaircut]

I agree that at 5ft 4ins and size 16-18 is far from ideal and is probably having an impact on their health. It’s unlikely that they don’t actually know that though and you don’t need to tell them.

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

YABU. It's no wonder we have a pandemic of youngsters with eating disorders and mental health issues with attitudes like yours. How thin do you want people to be to the point where their bones are visible.

[Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow]

Yes of course and it’s desperate that a 22 year old has HBP

But obesity is a socio-economic/mental heat problem and fat shaming doesn’t zero good

[TrickyKid]

Yanbu and I say that as size 14 fat person.

[Shoxfordian]

Do you really think she hasn't made the connection between her weight and her thighs rubbing together? Wow. Keep your unsolicited opinions to yourself op

[Clymene]

Of course she knows @GymGirl23. Unless you think she has learning difficulties. Do you honestly think if you say to her 'gosh you know if you weren't such a heifer and ate such a crap diet, those problems would go away', she'd be amazed?

You're either naive, stupid or unkind. Or perhaps all three.

[oohnicevase]

She must be pretty think if she dorent know she gets chaffing because she is overweight!! 🤔

[Tangerrenie]

For that height yes it is, but it's not any of your business really. I am sure they even if she won't admit it she is aware that her knee issues etc are due to carrying excess weight. I would try not to spend any more time thinking about it to be honest.

[steff13]

I would dearly like to help her and them and offer advice that's all!

What advice do you think they might need?

[GymGirl23]

Not goady at all! I should add that have been over weight at times even bordering on fat but with dedication and commitment to diet and exercise I managed to get on top of it so I do know what I'm talking about! They know this and know I would be speaking from my own experience. Surely that's a good thing.

[Sweetlikecoca]

It depends how close you are to the mum and the daughters. Me and my friends chat about all sorts. We can have open and honest conversations and no offence taken. My friend tells me if I’ve gained weight. I would keep out of it unless your on the topic. We all know size 16/18 at 5ft 4 your BMI will be quite high.

[bumblingbovine49]

Whenever I have been a size 16 I have been happy with my size. In fact I am pretty happy with it now at a size 18/20 . I wasn't happy at size 22/24 but I am fitter now and feel quite happy at my size in terms of how I feel in myself and how I look. If it wasn't for the fact that obviously I'd be healthier at a lower weight I'd be perfectly happy to stay this size

[Sonichu]

🎣🎣🎣

[BirthdayCakes]

What advice have you been offering? Just curious..

[wildcherries]

I would dearly like to help her and them and offer advice that's all!

Perhaps, but as long as they haven't asked for it, you should listen to your Mum. It's not like they don't know. Keep out of it.

[BarbedBloom]

I am 6ft 2 and a 14-16. Even at my skinniest I couldn't fit into a 12. It really depends on height and build. However people who are fat know they are and it is only them that can decide to do something about it. I had people telling me for years but I lost eight stone when I repaired my relationship with food and stopped emotionally eating.

[GymGirl23]

@Clymene that's a nasty comment. None of them have learning difficulties FYI. It's because the Mum grew up in what she calls a 'big boned' family so her mindset has been preset to think that size is normal!

[Greggers2017]

I've been a size 16-18, j also reduced my size through diet and exercise, just like you.
However, I am not a nasty tw*t who likes to force my opinions on people and make them feel shit.
Oh and as for chaffing, my sister gets it and she's a size 8 🙄