To ask was anyone else slim as a child and teenager but overweight as an adult?

[thenamechange2020]

I was always slim and a healthy weight as a child and teenager. I was a size 10/12 at 16 years old, a size 12 at 18 years old and then at age 23 (my current age) I am a size 16-18 and my BMI is now 31.

It is quite a rapid change and to be honest it has really affected my self-esteem. I get quite anxious when I am in my hometown as I am worried I will bump into old school friends. It hurts because I know teenage me would be so shocked and disappointed if she could see how I look now.

Did anyone else gain a lot of weight in their early 20s? When I look around at friends they have mostly stayed the same - those who were very slim have remained so, those who were a normal healthy weight have remained so, those who were overweight have remained so. Both of my parents are overweight but they have been overweight their whole lives, including childhood. It kind of feels like my genetics have caught up to me as I am now the same clothing size as my DM and other female relatives. On the other hand I am hopeful that maybe it is just the result of comfort eating during a very stressful 4 years of university and once I settle into "proper" adulthood the weight will come off? I don't know.

I think it’s exactly like another poster says. Stopped exercising after leaving school and the associated teams, gym and dance classes. Home cooked meals and school lunches become crappy fast food and lots of alcohol.

I stayed slim because I also discovered fitness classes during my university years. I went to 5 to 6 classes a week in my early 20s. Don’t hate yourself. Take up something active and start eating healthy. You are still so young,.

Just realised you have an update! I think it’s great you also see the where the problem is, the eating and the lack of exercise. You really can make a change and being so young, your metabolism will be great still.

Not me I've al and stayed more or less the same, very average, I've got very average size parents. None of us are skinny but never overweight..

But I've known quite a lot of childhood friends who were extremely slim as children, much skinnier than I was, but as adults have become very overweight and obese. Most have got overweight parents.

Can only think it's either genetic, or poor diet learnt from parents that has caught up with them as adults.

I was skinny until puberty, then developed thighs and boobs and grew to a size 8-10 frame at about 16.
I've remained pretty much the same for the 25 years since without watching my weight nor doing 'exercise' beyond walking a fair bit as I've never owned a car.
I'm very very stress prone. I don't have kids.

I was so underweight as a child i ended up in hospital. I just didn't like most foods, including meat, fish, all vegetables and fruit. I think i had some sensory issues. I was a slim teen too but once i discovered 'beige' food in my 20s i started to struggle with my weight. I eat a varied diet now at age 50 but am still drawn to junk food and am quite overweight.

I was skinny as a child, up until about 16. Then I guess I left school and ate endless crap. Been on yoyo diets from age 16 until age 30. I decided to be happy with myself as a bigger person at 30 and stop yoyo dieting. Then I weighed myself at New year, and was heavier than ever. Decided to try to get healthy again this year. It was going OK until lock down, and I had an injury too. Trying to get back with it again now.

Me. I don't know how to talk in dress sizes but I was under 60kg till I was about 18 yo without any effort. The gradually started gaining weight. I do think that it is also one of those things that happen to some people when you get older. It requires more effort to stay slim.