Is a size 14 fat?

[bubblebutt88]

I know it's dependent on the individual and a lot of variables - height etc but generally speaking would you say it's 'fat?' I am a size 14, I don't think I'm huge but I have a big roll of fat around my belly (thanks c-section and pizza) and I do feel like my face looks a bit bloated at times.

I'm certainly not thin or toned but I wouldn't say I'm obese either. I know id look and feel better if I dropped a dress size but at this time in my life with young kids, a demanding job and lots going on I just can't find the energy to focus on weight loss.

What are your thoughts?

I would say on a lot of people a size 14 would be overweight. I have tall friends who are not overweight as a 14 though.

As you asked - and don’t get me wrong I’m a 12 and not skinny - yes, 9 times out of 10.

I'm 5ft 8.5 and when I'm a 14 I'm carrying a bit of extra weight, my bmi would be 27. I don't think I look "fat" but I am soft round my middle.

For me to be in good shape I'd be a 10 or small 12.

It varies depending on shop, fit etc. As a generalisation I would say that size 14 is slightly overweight (but not obese), but on some people it would be a healthy weight. What is your height and weight?

I’m 12-14 and often buying 14 but am not overweight. I’m 5’8” though. I’d look more at height:waist ratio for an idea of health.

A size 14 on me is fat, I’m quite short and not huge build. I have friends where a size 14 is fairly slim as they are taller.

Only if you are a size 6 can you be considered not fat on mumsnet. Even a size 6 could be considered fat if you are under 5ft 3

I am 5ft 3 and a 14-16 and I am classed as obese, but I do not look it really, I am an apple shape and have slim arms bum and legs but a large belly. I have always had a fat face though even when I was 7 st

It's meaningless. You can be a size 14 and have a low body fat percentage, or you can be a size 14 with a very high body fat percentage.

Also 'size 14' is in itself pretty arbitrary. A size 14 varies wildly across different brands.

If you have big rolls of fat, you’re fat. Simply put. Dress size is pretty arbitrary.

It really depends on your height to be honest . I'm only 4"11 and look awful with any weight on.

like Garfield said "I am not fat, I am undertall" 😂

I’d say it’s overweight, yes. I’m a size 14 and know that to be within a healthy weight range I need to be a size 10-12. I’m fairly average for height at 5’5, but large busted as well so it’s not even like I’m carrying all my weight around my middle.

I went up to a size 14 about 12-18 months ago and at 5ft 3 I was overweight. I'm now back to a size 12 but am still not optimal.

A size 14 on a tall person might be ideal.

I’m size 14 and 5’6”/168 cm

I am definitely overweight. I don’t think people would say “fat” as such because our standards of fat have changed a lot but probably I am technically a bit fat!

It’s weird for me as I always was effortlessly thin when I was young (some might say it’s my turn!) so I struggle to be disciplined re foot. Peri menopause and Covid have also contributed.

I eat pretty healthy food 95% of the time but just alot if it!

Most size 14s have a waist size bigger than the maximum recommended for health. If you are short this waist size will be even less healthy. Other than that, your clothes size is a poor guide to healthy weight, a BMI calculator is best.
As for 'fat', what does that even mean? Because I imagine it as referring to visible fat on a person's body, so most of us are at least a bit 'fat'. As far as asthetics go, you may look great at a size 14, you may think you look better smaller (or bigger!) Its subjective isn't it? and between you and your mirror.

I’m 5”2 and when I was size 14 I was fat. Even in the 80’s before the sizes were changed.

This question and some of the replies reminds me of pro Ana websites where people try to encourage the voices in their heads that constantly criticize their own and others' bodies because they aren't thin enough to meet a certain ideal.

Food not foot

I'm 5 ft 5 and when I'm a size 14 I'm fat - not the 'slightly overweight but still healthy' level others are reporting, I'm definitely overweight and feeling it in lots of ways including my energy levels. Knowing that doesn't make it any easier to do anything about it with all the pressures you mention - I'm that size now and desperately trying to lose a bit of weight (for health not how I look)

Agree with this. Plus it depends on how you like your clothes to fit - an old friend used to swear she was a size 10 in trousers but the seams on those trousers were stretched to within an inch of their lives! She liked to wear all her clothes skin tight which is the total opposite to me who would has never got over the need to leave 'room to grow' even now I'm 55!!

You're either obese or you aren't. You could be obese at size 14 if you're very short or healthy weight if you're very tall. I don't know what you mean by 'is size 14 fat'.

Over the years I’ve been between a 10 & 16 and am of above average height but not really tall. Often think I look better and more in proportion when I’m heavier because of where I carry the weight. Never lose it from my legs so when my waist size is smaller my legs looks bigger. Also when heavier by bust is bigger so balances me out more and gives more of an hourglass. I don’t think size matters though it’s how you feel health wise and in your clothes. I have felt better about myself since I accepted my outward appearance is not the most important thing about me.😀

Entirely dependent on height and build. An athletic very tall woman (5'10 0r more) wouldn't be at all fat at size 14. Mid-height, maybe a sign of carrying a few extra pounds. At 5'4" it is definitely a sign of being very overweight, unless it's due to something like having enormous thigh muscles from being a footballer or weightlifter in which case the rest of the body would probably be a smaller size.

It really depends. For someone who has always been a size 10, a size 14 is going to feel ‘fat’ and people would likely think oh she’s piled the weight on. For someone who was a size 20 and gets down to a size 14, they are going to feel amazing- and look it to everyone who knew them as a size 20.