Do you think a women's size 16 is fat?

[LegencyMonsters]

Met a friend for coffee today and we got onto the topic of weight.

I mentioned that I used to be a size 16 and said I’m glad I’m not that size anymore as I was fat. She disagreed, saying a size 16 isn’t fat and pointed out that it’s actually the average size for women in the UK. I replied that while it may be the average, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not fat.

Would you consider a size 16 to be fat or not?

AIBU - YES - of course!
YANBU - NO - Not fat at all!

Yep🙌

I think most women would be overweight at that size but not every overweight person looks fat.

As a size 16, I'd say it's not NOT fat! For me at least, for my very tall, muscular, weight lifting friend it is probably pretty healthy.

Depends, 5 foot 1 or 5 foot 11? Not the same at all.

Well I imagine it depends on height too. I’m short and a size 14 - I’m fat. If I was a size 16 I’d been even fatter. Somebody taller might be able to spread the weight a bit more and perhaps a size 16 is just a bit plump rather than fat for them?

Agree that it depends on height and body type. I’m 5ft6 and have been size 16 and it was definitely fat for me

Depends on height. I am 5'7 and on me, that size is overweight.

I'm 5'7 and it was definitely fat for me too!

I'm a 16 in vanity sizing. At 171cm, I'm in the acceptable BMI range but I am fat.

Agree that very tall and/or muscular women may be size 16 with no excess fat.

Your voting options don’t match the title. Very confusing. I think the voting will be all over the place as a result.

I’m a 16 and I think I’m fat even though I’m reasonably tall. I was a 12 until I got older.
BMI in the obese range now, though that’s different to looking obese imho.

Your poll says the opposite to your opinion.... <pedant>

At a size 16 my BMI is obese. So yes, fat and no denying it.

Definitely depends on height and build. I’d say for average height and average build then yes it is fat, and I count myself in that. But for someone who’s tall and muscular then no not fat.

I am 5’8’’ and was a size 16. My BMI was borderline overweight and I was definitely overweight in terms of percentage body fat. So yes I was fat. I think most people who are that size would be classed as overweight or carrying too much fat, but that’s not always the case and obviously height and muscle are two key factors in this too.

I’m 5 9 and am overweight at that size but everyone carries weight differently. I am not a curvy woman so just look like a barrel at that size

I was once size 16 with a BMI of 23 (normal range) and nobody thought I was fat - height 173cm

Most of the reason I was a size 16 was that I had a rather large bosom!

I would say that it’s overweight but not chronically obese or anything like that. 🤷‍♀️

Yes. I’m a size 16 and am unfortunately fat and pushing the upper limit of the overweight BMI.

At 4ft10 size 16 I would be ‘fat’. My friend is 5ft 11 and she weighs just over 14 stone but she is muscular and shapely and she’s a size 16 and looks sexy as hell.

I have huge boob's so I'm a16 top and a 12 bottom. I'm 5'4".

Yes.
(Maybe with some exceptions like a 6ft tall woman rugby player).

5ft 6 here and yup, fat for me too. Though anything over a 10 looks fat on me. I dont carry weight well. I have a friend who is the same height and a 14 and she looks great. Weight distribution makes a huge difference.

It was the average size for a woman a long time ago - remember Dawn French launched a clothing company called something like 1647 as 47% of women were that size or above? That was a long time ago - the size 16 back then is not the same as now. It’s definitely fat - I’m 5’10 and if I were that size I’d be huge.
just because a lot of people are that size, doesn’t mean it’s not fat.