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!

I don't think we should get into the habit of calling other women 'fat' no matter what their size. Highly emotive word and i don't think anyone would appreciate being referred to as fat.

Why does it matter if you consider any size fat or not? I was once called skinnyfat as a size 4 for having a slight mum pouch. All i heard was fat. Its a vile word and can be so damaging.

Bonus tip: if you are ok with calling yourself fat, that's fine, but just remember it doesn't give you the automatic right to call other overweight people fat as well.

Completely depends on height in my opinion.

After I had my third son, I stuck for a while at a size 16, I was at time eating poorly, I am 5foot 3 and I was fat I openly admit that, I'm now back into a 12.

My friend exactly the same age by one month she is nearly 6 foot and wears a 16 and is not fat at all.

I agree: clothing size means nothing without the height and shape.

It depends what you mean by fat,a size 16 can have less fat than a size 10 ,it depends on frame size and how much muscle you have.size 16 is probably average now,14 was average for years,plus sizes have shifted over the years you need a BMI and a fat scan to know.

Of course it’s fat. Why shy away from stating facts?

This is the thing. Fat is a descriptor, like tall, short etc. It shouldn’t be a negative thing, but it is. I am objectively fat, though I’m less fat than I was.

And no, I don’t think a size 16 is necessarily fat. This is mumsnet, where anything over a size 12 will have you crippling the NHS.

Size 16 as 5 foot tall or size 16 as 5 foot 11
tall? One looks not fat and toned, the other looks obese with rolls of fat.

Because it isn’t a fact. Muscle weighs more than fat, hence many athletes having a BMI in the overweight or obese categories despite having very little body fat.

I agree, but it is no secret that fat is only ever used in a way to shame people for their weight.

Is being overweight healthy? No. Does being obese cause a strain on the NHS? Yes. Does that give you the right to shame others for being fat? No.

Lol, good ending point. Forget where I am sometimes.

A 16 is overweight and fat compared to a size 10. I am a size 16.

Yada yada yada. What sort of sportsperson has muscle that fills a size 16 dress? That’s a 33-34 inch waist. Is this shot putters we’re talking about?

Until people can face up honestly to their body shape they’re never going to be at peace with it.

Genuinely though, why does it bother you whether people are honest about their own size, or at peace with it, or whatever? How does it affect your life? I couldn’t care less whether someone else thinks they are fat or not. If someone is a size 24 and describes themself as ‘big boned’ it’s no skin off my nose.

We established several days ago that dress size is a pointless metric to measure whether or not someone is fat. Yes, we’re talking about athletes in sports that develop muscle mass. A shotputter may not need the waist size but could easily need a bigger size to fit the shoulders.

Its great to hear that people are no longer afraid to use the word fat.

Thanks for articulating that height-body frame difference so clearly 😊

The smallest adult dress size I've ever been is a UK 10-12 when underweight.
I'm 6ft 2" tall and a now a UK size 14-16 with a BMI of 20.0. Not clinically overweight but not in great shape either.

Not fat. Just verging agreeably on voluptuous.

Yes, but how fat depends on height too.
Just because it might be the average size doesn't mean it's healthy.

OMG!!! I have no idea what you're talking about and where you got that information from?! The 'average' size for women these days is yes...16! 😕

"That was a long time ago - the size 16 back then is not the same as now"...? SERIOUSLY? I think you will find that it's about the same dimensions it has always been although not quite sure obviously what you mean when you say 'a long time ago'! 🤔

As for your belief that at 5'10" and a size16 you would be 'HUGE' your perception of the meaning of that word must be very different to mine or that of most people!! 🙄

... It clearly shows in the quote. Which you kept quoting, without reading. There's also a very limited timeframe to edit. Honestly, I don't buy it. I think you didn't read the full comment.

I think you will find that it's about the same dimensions it has always been

Not true. A current size 16 is about the same as a 20 was 30 years ago. Someone posted the comparative charts of measurements a few pages back.

I don’t think it’s always the case. I have 2 size 10 pairs of Levi’s jeans that are almost 25 ish years old and they measure the same as some size 10 jeans bought recently from New Look. They old Levi’s are also bigger than a size 8 pair from urban outfitters that are my daughters. Certain shops come up huge now though, like next and m&s.

A few years ago the sizing changed to make customers feel comfortable, vanity sizing, meaning what the original size 18 was resize to be called 16

I would actually say that a size 16 is morbidly obese and that they need to cut out the copious amounts of monster munch.

i have to agree with a few previous poster. I am 5’9 and currently a size 14. Before I had my son and broke my knee was a size 12. I think both sizes are acceptable for my height.

please don’t listen to other people. Are you comfortable both your size? If you are not the doctor is the place to talk about it.

im not happy with my size but its not about looks its about energy levels . I can’t excercise soon. Also if you are going through the perimenopause that can play havoc with how your body absorbed calories. If you are worried at all go see a doctor you trust.

Then you'd be talking utter guff, because obesity is defined and measured by BMI, not by dress size.

However, I suspect you know this. I sympathise, my Friday nights are quite boring these days as well. Monster Munch would probably improve them.