Sometimes when you research a question, poof your answer is clear, defined, lots of material out there. That’s how I like it. This question was like searching for the Holy Grail. Not much information, not any studies proving definitively anything. Here’s what I found.
An average adult has 206 bones in their body. People can have different number of rib bones and bones in their hands and feet that make doctors average the number of bones in a skeleton. Bones themselves can have different densities. We know this from people who have thinning bones due to Osteoporosis.
The interesting thing that is substantiated on this quest is heavy people with a BMI over 33 never get Osteoporosis. They have greater bone density. Bone density is increased when you do activities that put stress on the bone structure like weight lifting or in this case carrying around excess weight.
So is there truth to the heavy weight, big bones, big frame? Not really. Bone weight depends on how much a person’s entire body weighs. Bones make up around 15% of a person’s total body weight. While people do have different frame size, most who weigh too much for their height do so because of excess body fat. Body builders are the exception. Remember muscle mass weighs more than fat and lean muscles make you look thinner (so if you have lots of muscles you may weigh more but look thinner).
Most weight charts take into effect your frame size. Many weight charts have 10 pound increments in each frame size; small, medium, and large. That is a 30 pound swing for any given height, so if you look at the chart and say to yourself, "I’m big boned and should weight more than that", well, maybe 10-15 pounds. Being big-boned or small boned doesn’t justify a 20-25 pounds differential from a normal size person. If you are truly convinced you are not overweight just big boned. Buy a body fat scale. These scales can actually measure your fat percentage. But don’t count on insurance companies changing your premiums; they strictly go by their charts. Remember to continue to treat your body with care so that it can help you to do all the things you enjoy.
Hi, I did the measuring suggestion to find out what frame size I am and it indicated that I’m small frame. However, I do have a friend who is even smaller than me- I would say she’s extra small frame. Would she use the same calculation? Thanks!
This is a very interesting article. I had lost a lot of weight following a vegetarian diet and still thought I was a bit overweight, but maybe it is my bone size.
I am 5’4 female and weigh 147 pounds and fit into small, medium size clothing.
However, compared to most women, I must weigh a lot for my height.
The body weight charts say that I should be at a healthy weight of about 132 pounds. When I did weigh 132 I was really thin. I want to know why I would be can weight in so heavy but still have a slender appearance? I am athletic but I don’t lift weights. I could be considered stocky or have an athletic build.. could that be why?
I do hate going on the doctor’s scales!
hello,
my husband believes that the density of ones bone effects the weight of that person. he says that someone might have think bones and look heavy boned but the density of their bone might not be as much as a person with thin frame. however, my believe is that there are 3 categories of body frame type and those are 1-thin boned 2- medium boned 3- heavy bone people. and there is an average number for each category in terms of bone density. and if ones bone density decrease it has to do with osteoporosis and not with weight loss.
can you please advise in how this whole think works and explain fully, because my husband is very sure of what he believes and is trying really hard to make me understand but i don’t get his logic.
Hi Holly! I ran the BMI (Body Mass Index) calculator on this site and it says for someone your height you should weigh between 114- 145 pounds.