Are “Fat” Black Women Really Unhealthy, or Do They Just Not Fit The Standard (read: White) Beauty Ideal?

Apr 3rd, in Editorial Staff, Health and Fitness, Health News, by Jamila Akil

What’s BMI have to do with it?

Author : Jamila Akil

Author's Website | Articles from Jamila Akil

Every other week, a new report is released purporting to reveal how black women are happier and higher self-esteem than non-black women. While there is nothing negative about having a healthy body image and healthy levels of self-esteem, one has to wonder how and why black women have a healthier self-image of their bodies than do non-black women, yet black women suffer from higher rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease–among other ailments–that are linked to obesity. Do the scientists know how to properly measure black female self-esteem and to determine what a healthy weight is for a black woman?

According to a study published in the research journal Obesity, on January 6th, 2011, black women can have a higher BMI [Body Mass Index] than white women, and yet not be deemed to have a medically unhealthy weight.

A recent study reveals African American women can weigh significantly more than white women and still be healthy. By examining two standards of measurement — BMI (body mass index) and WC (waist circumference) — researchers found that while white women with a BMI of 30 or more and a WC of 36 inches or more were at greater risk for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, black women with those same numbers were considered medically healthy. In fact, African American women’s risk factors did not increase until they reached a BMI of 33 or more and a WC of 38 inches or more.

Assuming that the results of this study are sound, this could mean a few things. Number one, there are many more black women who fall into the category of having a BMI of 33 or over than white women, which thus explains why black women suffer from higher rates of diabetes. This could also mean that black women have significant non-weight related factors–such as poor eating habits, high stress levels, and less exercise–that are contributing to their rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

curiousone8706 11 pts

As an obese black female, I am getting tired of being singled out by all these media outlets, especially with their poor data. I wish just ONE, one scientist would do a spread of the obesity- age, location, lifestyle, et. cetera and realize that there are so many other factors going into it.

Yes, I do workout every single day for 2 and a half hours. My calorie intake is low, it doesn't surpass 1500. And yet everyday it feels like I'm getting fatter and fatter because of reading these reports. I've always been a big girl and it wrecked my childhood! However I see some former slimmer women (and men) from high school packing on the pounds-why? Because they didn't develop healthy eating habits and their metabolism kept their figure.

It just gets frustrating after a while...can't we discuss other more important things?

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Jamila 7655 pts moderator

curiousone8706 "It just gets frustrating after a while...can't we discuss other more important things?"

We do discuss other things. You don't have to take part in these discussions about weight.

Brenda55 20864 pts moderator

curiousone8706 Sorry curiousone shutting up about this issue is not about to happen. The science is not in our favor when it come to just how unhealthy and potentially life threatening carrying excess weight is.

The facts are what they are. You don't have to like them or not want to hear them but I feel that it is irresponsible to not have this discussion in this place that promotes the idea of black women living well and at their full potential.

Losing and then maintaining a normal weight and engaging in healthful physical activity is not easy.

Neither is staying fat and in poor health.

Maintaining a normal body weight and shape improves ones quality of life and that is want this site is all about.

So no we are not going to back away from this subject. We are going to share information that black women need to live well.

I do not know what your height and weight is but I can say that your caloric intake may be to low for your current weight and you may have pushed your body into starvation mode. When that happens your body's metabolism shows down to survive making it difficult to lose excess weight. Remember you have to take in a certain amount of calories in order for your heart, muscles and digestive system to work. Then you have to have enough calories to burn while you go about your daily activities. Anything over that is excess and turns to fat. The key is taking in the right amount of calories so that you do not through your body into starvation mode while losing the excess. This has to be done slowly 1 to 2 pounds per week.

This is why getting the right information is key. You get that information by talking about this, painful as that is for some.

I will end this with suggesting these websites to getting the information that you need to develop a plan that works for you. Good luck.

http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/

http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/loginpage.asp?whereFrom=mysparkstart.asp

http://caloriecount.about.com/

Brenda55 Deepest apologies if I sounded frustrated. I just wish the "obesity" talk wasn't so isolated and viewed on a more paradigm shift rather than just "this demographic has a high BMI than average and this percentage of women are overweight and obese and don't care about their health but have high self esteem." It always seems like no one looks at all the other factors but rather wag their finger and go "shame on you, go lose some weight" without factoring in the all of the issues at hand.

curiousone8706 No need for the apology.

Consider this. First America has a weight problem all demographics are affected. Not just black women.

Second there are fewer and fewer groups where is it considered "OK" to poke fun at and publicly shame. Fat people are front and center there since just about everyone, including fat people themselves know that being over weight is not a good thing. Fat acceptance movements have been around forever and never gain traction. The reason is that common sense and science tells people that being fat is not good.

So why rag on fat black women?

1. They do it because they can. We have made ourselves into easy targets for this type of derision. There is little to no push back from black women re. comments on their weight. Why?

2. Black women seem OK with their weight status or at least say that they are to anyone who asks. Most other fat people at least say that they know they have a problem and are working on it. That is the socially accepted response.

Not so black women. They feel that they are "Large and in Charge" making them easy targets when it comes to the finger wagging.

As long as black women continue to attempt to swim up stream loudly proclaiming that they are fine with themselves as big and beautiful women they they will continue to be the poster child and go to group for reports,studies, casting calls, jokes what have you that occur at the expense of fat people. Why not. If black women say that they are cool with how they look then no one is going to suffer any consequences by taking a shot at us.

Brenda55 I actually think that is where I disagree- that black women are "ok" with being big and unhealthy. I just don't buy into the drivel. In my personal opinion, I feel like it is a social pressure for black women to be "ok" or "happy" with their size, because if they're not, then they get pigeonholed/stereotyped into the Mammy/ Sapphire personality. It is just instead of coming out and being in agreement with everyone that yes, being overweight/obese is NOT healthy, they cover it up for 'race sakes'.

I read the article(s) and the accompanying study and I was just in disbelief. I mean, were the questions asked in a way that the black female didn't feel pressured to answer a certain way because she knew she was representing her race? What is the black women they asked in the study were NOT overweight/obese- wouldn't that skew the results? I have so many questions regarding the methods..I just don't buy into it. In private I hear many black women, especially the obese/overweight talk so much about how they need to lose weight, get healthy, exercise, go on a diet. Once out in the world, they mum it up and put on a false pretense to show the world they're not "the angry black woman."

curiousone8706

You seem to want to make the problem of anyone but the black woman's which is why you say this:

" I feel like it is a social pressure for black women to be "ok" or "happy" with their size, because if they're not, then they get pigeonholed/stereotyped into the Mammy/ Sapphire personality."

And this:

" I mean, were the questions asked in a way that the black female didn't feel pressured to answer a certain way because she knew she was representing her race? What is the black women they asked in the study were NOT overweight/obese- wouldn't that skew the results? I have so many questions regarding the methods..I just don't buy into it."

But if as you say black women are doing this:

"It is just instead of coming out and being in agreement with everyone that yes, being overweight/obese is NOT healthy, they cover it up for 'race sakes'."

and this:

"Once out in the world, they mum it up and put on a false pretense to show the world they're not "the angry black woman."

Who is at fault to the image that black women are OK with their size.

Doing this:

"In private I hear many black women, especially the obese/overweight talk so much about how they need to lose weight, get healthy, exercise, go on a diet."

Means nothing if you tell people when asked that you are cool with your body the way it is. Only black women can fix this and talking about it here, in private and in public is a way to change perceptions.

Brenda55 You've got a point. I just personally feel as though the conversation isn't..I'm not sure what the word is, but it feels like a constant guilt trip instead of "yeah, I relate to that!" and being able to share our stories. I do like BGG2WL, just haven't many others that have the same point of view or style.

NijaG 194 pts

To add to some of the websites suggested, try www.marksdailyapple.com

It's about the primal/paleo way of eating. It has a great forum and lots of inspiring success stories.

AleeL 440 pts

If you're cutting calories and not losing weight, calories are not your problem. I think you can drop the weight another way.

Send me an email (email on my blog on the about page) if you're curious (lol).

ness316 18 pts

I am an obese women, who workouts every day and runs to catch the bus, ferry or train without getting out of breath. I hop steps if I'm in a rush to get some where. People always stare me down when I run off because I guess they find it interesting that a non skinny girl can be athletic. I currently weight 220 and am 5'8''. My overall goal is 190 and I will still be considered overweight. Even though I have always been on the heavier side since puberty I have always been athletic, playing soccer and doing track and now working out every day. I honestly enjoy the physical activity and I know that its my night time eating habits that really mess me up and that is what I am changing now. I don't think race is a factor when it comes to your health but more your genetics. My dads side is all slender and my mothers side varies but more slender. They were both athletic people, my dad is lazy now but just like me my mom workouts every day. She weighs the correct weight for her height but still wants to lose weight. I say its more about feeling and looking great to yourself than it is just about weight. If you can't run to catch a bus and you weigh less than me than I see that as a problem. lol

LadyLittlefoot 664 pts

ness316 And that is the key, staying active every day to stave off health issues later on. I don't work out as like I used to and I am starting to feel it! I should be breathing hard from taking the stairs but I'm getting there.

LadyLittlefoot we will get there! it would just be better when it isnt fat vs. skinny, instead it should be healthy vs. unhealthy. good luck LadyLittlefoot

Ricky T 481 pts

you guys should watch "America the Beautiful" by Roberty Daryl =)

Leona_LoveQuest 434 pts

I have a background in fashion and costume design so I've dressed a lot of women. What concerns me about the BW I meet, is that they have an unrealistic body image in both directions. Those who are thin by any standard are still trying to lose another 10 lbs to meet some kind of crazy ideal. Sometimes they result to unhealthy diets and extreme exercise workouts to lose a few vanity pounds. Others cling to the premise that BW are naturally just heavier and men like them overweight. I overheard a women shopping the other day talking about how sexy this dress was going to look on her and she could probably squeeze herself into a size 10 when she typically bought a size 12. Looking at her she really needed a 14. This kind of complacency prevents women from re-thinking their eating and fitness habits. I don't think we all need to look like celebrities and supermodels, but we need to make fitness and nutrition a priority.

BTW, I'm 5"4" and about 145 lbs. I'd like to get back to 135-140, but I don't even own a scale and I don't know my BMI. Don't get caught up with the numbers.

Violets Mommy 43 pts

Weight has always been a very touchy subject for me. At this age I have stopped the neagative mind chatter, on that note, I read someplace that the former gov of California had a BMI over 35, and he was Mr Universe, so I think the BMI numbers need to be retired, the numbers don't match up to what is reality. That being said I've never been skinny nor did/do I want to be. I've been pretty musulcar and even though I'm not at my ideal weight I am trying. At first I wanted to be skinny, like "model thin " but I am learning that I'm not meant to be that way and I am just going to keep working out and eating well. I must say I am tired of seeing all these young Black women that are say 20 years younger than me, I'm 42, and are a good 150 lbs heavier than I am. I am all for loving yourself, its taken me a long time to get here, but size 28 is not normal. It bothers me to see BW that look like they have given up and are just letting fat take over. I'm tired of seeing mis shapened bodies jammed into clothes that are too damn small, and young BG 's being so damn heavy. Most men don't want women to be rail thin but I am noticing men would like women to be in shape and look relativly healthy. Its now down to a matter of health not a matter of if you can fit into that mini dress you have been coveting.

I grew up with Women that hated their bodies; my mother is grossly overweight and my grandmother was always on some kind of diet, in fact my ggmother died from conditions related to anorexia. So i'm coming into things a bit handicapped. I think we need to look at ourselves and be honest are you thick or fat and i'm sure alot of BW would have to rethink the answers. BTW the woman in the background of this photo would be my ideal body type, the woman in the main frame well no so much. She could have found a better fitting suit as well.

SirLoinDeBeef 2635 pts

Violets Mommy Wife #1 also hated her body (perhaps hated being female, too) - using a sequence of fad eating plans, she 'dieted' herself from 140 lbs. to 267 lbs. in just over 5 years - then just stayed heavy and got mean.

Note that I said ex- ...

TJD 373 pts

I am considered obese. I have been systematically been working at it and it is a difficult endeavor. i have, however, adopted a clean eating philosophy and cut out processed foods from my diet.

I am not ashamed of myself or sad because of the condition I am in. I have realized that I am an emotional eater and I was raised in the DEEP SOUTH "tradition" of eating and food being a comfort. Knowing that helps me make better choices. BOTH of my parents have been diagnosed recently as diabetics, so...

Anyway, at 5'9", my immediate goal is to get to 190. After that, I'll see. I am not focused on numbers. Just concerned about fitting this size 12 two-piece I purchased as motivation (smile).

I will not give up the battle. Failure is NOT an option.

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Karla 19098 pts

TJD Brava! I'm cheering you on... http://youtu.be/C0xtUfjv4zE

VintageNarcissa 3152 pts

Hum... Just when I thought that I was going to get some sleep tonight ... BBW comes in like, LOL! Nope!

Since we're sharing numbers ... I'm 5'5" and 140lbs. But my 140 looks about 125 due to my muscle tone -- and I comfortably wear as low as a size 4. I'm very curvy and top heavy, but my body type is comparable to that of a volley ball players. Personally, I'd like to see what 130lbs look on me now, and I have entertained 120lbs, but it's not wise for me to start flirting with lower numbers. I've weighed as high as 175lbs and as low as 89lbs. I have a strict workout routine, but I'm still working on my eating. But overall I think I do okay.

I do kind of agree that black women -- and different types of women in general -- have different body structures, bone mass, or whatever that may skew them in medical terms. But that is not the problem. The problem is that the wrong black women then turn around and use that as an excuse to justify them being extremely overweight. Okay, lets say that what the study says is definitively true, it's women with the BMIs of 40-something that are turing around saying, oh I'm fine - I don't need to lose weight, science says so. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a little bigger than the norm. It is very true that not everyone is meant to be a size 2. But not everyone is meant to be a size 22, or bigger. There are a lot of women that would benefit greatly from getting even into the range that the study describes. But again, that's not what people are doing. If people were at least taking strides toward their health, their weight would work itself out. I do believe that everyone's body has a baseline that had nothing to do with BMI regulations or what we think we should weigh, but rather what our bodies feels most healthy as and works best as. Many people work extra hard to stay below their baseline. But a lot of people, knowingly or not are working just as hard to stay above their baseline. Some people don't even realize until they start to lose weight that they can reach that base line and then start worrying about ... wanting to look sexy, and reaching a certain number and what have you. I personally wish people were just interested in saying, hey -- lets skip McDonald's today, hey -- lets take a walk in the park. They don't even have to change much else. If people did more of that, they would be a lot better off.

aceontopofkings 417 pts

Black women and BMI, the two just don't mix very well lol. At my yearly check up last month the doctor had me get on the scale twice because he couldn't believe my weight. My bmi is 31 but I'm a 36 FULL C Cup, I do workout and I told my doctor my goal weight and even he said that would be to small for my body frame. I think people know when they're at a healthy weight and when they're just living in denial, when you go from jeans to the stretchy pants, yup I've been there before. But luckily for me when I was over 215lbs I had a man care about me enough to tell me the truth, that I should change my eating habits or I might not be around long, it was inspirational and motivational for me.

nikichambers 137 pts

Hmmm...well this "fat" woman works out in the gym several times a week and can run circles around my thinner siblings and family members. A couple years ago, I was almost 100 pounds heavier than I am today. I'm still working on getting to my ideal weight...maybe another 20-30 pounds to go. But even then, I wont weigh what most people would consider a thin person should weigh. And I'm cool with that. My biggest battle was getting over the numbers on the scale. The numbers I focused on was my blood pressure and cholesterol levels. I don't care if I never weigh 110 pounds or wear a size 2. I care about being healthy.

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The Working Home Keeper 6957 pts

Pearl Thanks to my three kids, I now have hips and a fuller backside LOL!

The Working Home Keeper Pearl I thought my pregnancy would give me a booty..didn't happen.

Pearl Even without the "freshman 15" a lot of girls tend to fill out during their college years - like a final growth spurt. Some extra boob and extra curves. So there's hope for you :) But there is definitely nothing wrong with a slim body. I agree, a lot of white girls have very nice shapes to their thin frames. And a lot of them are not born with it. I know A LOT of white girls who were chubby kids -- and had to work for the bodies they have now. I know a lot who "let themselves go" sometime between high school and college and also had to get back on track. There's some things that white privilege just cannot account for - and having enough pride in your body to work to keep it looking good is one of them.

Pearl I'm sorry, I had to LOL at the Mexican girl thing. A lot of Mexican girls carry most of their weight in their middle. They have those wide, boxy midsections and very thin legs, which is why they thigh gaps, because there's less fat in their thighs. Some people have thigh gaps because they are thin -- and some people have thigh gaps because that's simply how their bodies are. I have a friend, while being slim, basically only had a thigh gap because she is bow legged.

People used to tell me the whole leg thing when I was younger too. I used to be disturbed by it as well.

Pearl You know what -- if you're proud to be skinny *be proud* You don't necessarily have to "make fun" of fat girls ... because the thing is, and it seem so rudimentary but it's true. They only make fun of you because they are insecure in themselves. That's the only reason anyone makes fun of another person in malice. Maybe they are not comfortable being big. Maybe they cannot figure out how to lose weight, or have been unsuccessful. They take it out on you.

I always take Monique as an example. When she was heavier, she did nothing but put down skinny women. And then what did she go and do, lose weight. Then she had to bite her tongue a little bit -- and now she says, well I don't want to be super skinny, but being super obese ain't cute either. And she's not all loud and brash about it like she used to be -- she just stats facts.

But yeah, if you're happy with your body, that is an amazing thing. Because most people are not happy with their bodies, even thin people.

I don't so much associate body type with ethnicity anymore either. There are outliers everywhere! I have a friend that I always thought had a distinctly Nigerian body type, until I started seeing it on Asian girls! My same friend with the bowed legs. After that, I was like -- I give up!

Pearl VintageNarcissa When I was younger, my mother actually took me to the doctor to find out what she could do to make me gain weight. The doctor looked at her like she was crazy! I was healthy and very active, just underweight. It wasn't until I went off to college, that I started to appreciate my naturally thin frame.

For the longest time, I didn't like my legs (I thought they were too thin) and would avoid wearing dresses and skirts. With children and age, my legs have developed a pleasing shape. I wear dresses all the time now and heels. Heels make thin legs look shapely IMO.

Bellatrix79 474 pts

*sigh*

Escapedthefoolishness 276 pts

I'm 5'2 and 140lbs. I've been 90lbs before and looked awful and I exercise regularly and lift weights so I'm very fit. I think it is all about being healthy rather than going by measurements like BMI. A lot of athletes are assumed to be overweight on the BMI scale and there have been serious talks about getting rid of it in the medical establishment recently. Body fat percentage and inches matter more than BMI.

JazzFest 95 pts

Escapedthefoolishness

Yeah my family doctor isn't a fan of the BMI, and I've been hearing that the important thing is how you feel (are you breathing heavily running to catch the bus, or going up the stairs) and how you clothes fit relative to (blank) ago.

"Body fat percentage and inches matter more than BMI."

What I've researched matches this statement. For women I've read the and ideal is somewhere around 15 - 20% and that under 13% can be dangerous. I've also read that waist - hip ratio can be important.

There are problems with the current model of BMI - for instance, me at 6' 8" (203 cm) yields a 'ideal' BMI of 180 or so - I haven't been that weight since my first year in middle school - a little checking revealed that the index was 'normed' on a large population, but, to keep everything on a straight line ('linear' in doctor/science-speak), the very tall end, as well as the very short end, were ESTIMATED, and not observed.

Including these folks resulted in a 'ogive' curve,sort-of a flattened S-shape ... but not linear - when that happens, standard statistical computations don't work - which means more work and more computation ... yada yada yada.

There are alternative ways to compute a BMI, but only the 'Standard Model' is 'generally accepted.'

SirLoinDeBeef Now that makes sense. I'm 4'10" and am close to 120lbs now. When I was about 114 I was measure with calipers and ended up with a BMI of 29. My trainer said to ignore it because my solid legs skewed the measurements. She also said it doesn't take into consideration more "ethnic" body types (i.e. non-white). I'm sure if I were to use the standard model for BMI I would register as overweight. I wear a size 4/6 and I'd like to get back to 2/4 and very toned. That is where I am most comfortable.

Law Wanxi 5939 pts

SirLoinDeBeef

PhD, Pleeeze...

You're asking Real Americans(tm) to understand non-linear relationships? Which America are you talking about, the one on Planet Shining? This is a country where men can memorise RBI and ERA numbers for dead baseball players, but struggles with y=mx+b!

"- which means more work and more computation ... " Well, we better get hold of Congress, because Congress can solve every problem, and get the cap on H-1B visas lifted to, IDK, about 20 Million per year.

EarthJeff 3562 pts

Law Wanxi Slope.......

EarthJeff

I've been called that...Booyah! Got ya!

Barring evidence to the contrary, I assume you don't go into an ESPN-induced coma every weekend.

The woman in the background of the main pic has a nice shape and butt. #just sayin...

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Jamila LOL! Now that you mention it...

Jamila The lady in the foreground (black swim suit) is awesome, as well ... just sayin'

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Although I believe exercise, diet and weight play a major part in maintaining a healthy body, I also think we are individuals and cannot be painted with the same brush of race. My mother is 5'3", weighs 95 pounds wet, has an excellent diet, walks ten miles a day and has had high cholesterol (and when I say "high", I mean she frequently spikes 350). She has a mild case of Hashimoto's disease brought on by her first pregnancy (me) and her endocrinologist seems to think this may have something to do with her cholesterol or that maybe it's congenital. The meds didn't help (and she didn't like the side effects so she didn't take them) but her doctors are satisfied with her lifestyle and no longer raise their eyebrows at the numbers. I, on the other hand, have no HBP, no high cholesterol, no high blood sugar... my diet is very sound and I exercise more than the average person. I'm 5'8" and weigh 150 pounds. Menopause sometimes kicks my behind as do seasonal allergies but otherwise, I'm fine. Since I'm a massage therapist, I have seen tons of naked bodies and chatted with my clients about their health (due to possible contraindications with massage). I had a client who was a very tiny, Vietnamese woman; she was 5'0" and weighed no more than 85 pounds. She was on cholesterol meds, HBP meds, something for her liver and Metformin (for Type 2 diabetes). I asked her if she exercised; she said she didn't but her diet was good (although her doctor told her to forgo rice and noodles along with the sugary treats). Of course, I have no way of knowing if she's scarfing Mickey D's every day but the point is that no one would ever expect her to have these problems just looking at her. I know studies love to lump people into categories by race, age, sex or what have you but I just don't see that as feasible.

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harleyq2 190 pts

Increased weight gain will always increase the health risk for black, white etc. However, this is something different from beauty standards and cultural acceptance. For blacks and I believe hispanic women, 'meat on the bones' is very acceptible. For these communities, beauty is also tied to weight as well. In the white community, the cultural standard is reversed. So black women who are traditionally in a majority black communities will have higher self-esteem while being identified as clinical overweight or obese. The idea of beautify is all about social environment. If I worked in predominantly white corporate america or in the fashion industry, then if you are overweight, you will stand out and therefore self-esteem might be lower.

The issues with black women and health can also be a result of additional factors besides fat percentages. As you said, genetics, physical activities, eating habits, heredity etc. The thing to remember is that one race was not made fatter or skinner than the other, it is all about environment. There is also the issue of types of foods: Junk vs healthy. Too much of both will make you gain weight but the junk may have more health related risk attached (high sugar, salk, fat etc).

ASwirlGirl 3208 pts

My Doctor definitely believes this. I'm 5'1", 150 pounds. I lift weights so I know some of that 150 lbs is muscle mass. I want to get back down to 130; my Doctor said to not try to do that. He says that's too low and would be unhealthy for me. He said I can drop to 140 and should leave it at that.

ImaniScully 201 pts

ASwirlGirl Really? I'm 5'0, 110 pounds...my doctor said I should loose 5 pounds.

Christelyn 9250 pts moderator

ImaniScully ASwirlGirl WTC? Time for a new doctor.

Christelyn ImaniScully ASwirlGirl I'm 5'1 and 105 lbs. My doctor doesn't consider that unhealthy. But I do need to lose at least 5 lbs!

In college, I actually got down to 85-88 lbs and I would say that was my healthiest. I moved off campus and was eating no junk food, drinking only water and running. Best I ever felt physically!

The Working Home Keeper Christelyn ImaniScully I weighed 95 when I enrolled in college; 110 when I graduated. Stayed in that 110 - 120 range for YEARS; even after I got married. I had two miscarriages and EVERYTHING has been out of whack ever since.

Looks like I need to at least get down to 120.

ASwirlGirl Christelyn ImaniScully I hope this isn't too personal and I don't mean to offend, but do you think your doctor wants you to maintain a higher weight due to fertility issues? The only time my weight caused any concern was with my first pregnancy. My OB was worried since I was 90 lbs at the time I got pregnant with our oldest. Towards the end of my pregnancy, I started measuring small. Got sent for more extensive ultrasounds. But in the end, everything turned out fine. I was just a small woman having a small baby (my daughter was 6 lbs at birth). Had no problems with my other two pregnancies.

The Working Home Keeper Christelyn ImaniScully Not offended at all. I believe you are correct. This is my OBG doctor. LOL

150 pounds sounds so heavy compared to what you ladies weigh! LOL Thankfully I look like l weigh about 135; no one ever believes or guesses my current weight.

ASwirlGirl The Working Home Keeper Christelyn ImaniScully I normally weight 150-155 but I'm 5'10 (or 5'11)

Jamila The Working Home Keeper Christelyn ImaniScully That is thin by most standards, yet when you Google "model's weight" you generally get this: Fashion and runway models are typically 5'10" and between 100-120 lbs. One site said that top Victoria's Secret models generally weigh 110 - 115 pounds. Obviously different standards are at work.

Are “Fat” Black Women Really Unhealthy, or Do They Just Not Fit The Standard (read: White) Beauty Ideal?

Author : Jamila Akil

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Are “Fat” Black Women Really Unhealthy, or Do They Just Not Fit The Standard (read: White) Beauty Ideal?

Author : Jamila Akil

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