"asian thin" vs. "american thin"?

joygong
joygong Posts: 10
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm not sure if it is cultural or if it is physiological, but lately i've been having the conflict between what "thin" means in america vs. asia.

According to my non-asian friends, I am thin, and should be happy with my weight. however, when I compare to my naturally thin asian relatives and friends, I definitely need to lose weight. Especially when I visit asia, I feel huge over there!

I am all for being happy with who you are no matter what and just choosing to better yourself, but it doesn't help my motivation when I live in the US and am surrounded by people who make me feel thin, when in all actuality, I am 9 lbs above a healthy bmi and even when I was in the healthy bmi range a few months ago, I still was too heavy.

does anyone else identify with this?
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Replies

  • rosieg1979
    rosieg1979 Posts: 99 Member
    You don't look massively thin to me (sorry!)

    I think perceptions are skewed by context. Many, many Americans are grossly overweight, in comparison to the average American you are thin.

    Asians (I think) currently have less of an obesity issue, and average a more normal healthy weight.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    I work with a lot of asians and I feel huge beside them while my friends all call me skinny. My BMI is right at 21 and my BF is 19% so I know I don't need to lose any weight but it sure feels like it beside those girls!
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    I can't speak to General Tso's military prowess, but he damn sure made some good chicken.

    What were we talking about?
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,454 Member
    You have to listen to your own voice. People here aren't going to tell you if they think you need to lose weight. It's considered rude. However some Asian cultures will let you know - and they don't consider it rude to comment on your weight.

    Do what you feel is right.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    What's your BMI? It isn't a perfect system, but it's a good indicator. 153 pounds at 5'9'' is a healthy weight. 153 at 5'2'' is overweight.
  • Gentyl
    Gentyl Posts: 184 Member
    You know, you have a point. I was watching figure skating the other day, and there was a big difference between the Asian Americans and the other Asians. The Asian Americans were definitely much heavier. It must be their diet, somehow.
  • swisswife
    swisswife Posts: 47 Member
    are you looking at asian weight charts or US/western ones ??

    I know when I lived in Hong Kong and went to the doctor they had 2 different charts for calculating BMI .... All the Asian girls I ever met were TINY. I'm 5' 3" and was about 160 pounds when we were there and I felt like and elephant. I was regularly stopped from going in clothes shops by assistants who would tell me they didn't sell 'fat sizes'.......
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    Americans tend to be over weight while many asian countries tend to be under weight. Being around certain groups for prolonged periods will make people think certain weights are normal.

    You should base your weight on a combination of factors: BMI, body composition, health.
  • emmuci
    emmuci Posts: 160 Member
    I think you have to see what weight you find the best for you :) and also try out calculating your bmi, with that you could approximately know if you have to or not lose weight :smile:
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I think it would be a good idea to find out your body fat % and work towards a healthy body composition, regardless of the perception of "thin" is to those around you. Everyone's viewpoints are skewed by cultural influences as well as ego. Best to ignore the noise and get healthy for YOU.
  • swisswife
    swisswife Posts: 47 Member
    http://www.hk-doctor.com/tool/html/BMI_Calculator.htm

    from a doctor search / health website in HK
  • Zangpakto
    Zangpakto Posts: 336 Member
    I'd like to disagree on that last one... LOL!
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    By American standards I am considered small. I find that most of the clothing companies I shop from and blogs I follow for fashion were started by Asian women that had trouble finding a good fit in clothing. I appreciate that because it helps me find nice clothing and to feel confident with myself. I am naturally small and very active as a dancer. I could never be big. I've had two children. My weight has always ranged between 100 and 110. My doctor says I am very healthy and not underweight.
  • snowgrrl83
    snowgrrl83 Posts: 242 Member
    Your BMI is saying that you are 9 pounds overweight.
    That should be an indication to you.
    Aim for a healthy BMI (although it is not a perfect system, it works for 90% of people......)

    Most women are happy and feel as though they "look good" between a BMI of 20-22. (according to halls.md BMI calculator)
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    I think it would be a good idea to find out your body fat % and work towards a healthy body composition, regardless of the perception of "thin" is to those around you. Everyone's viewpoints are skewed by cultural influences as well as ego. Best to ignore the noise and get healthy for YOU.

    Do NOT listen to this person. Always follow the wisdom of crowds. ALWAYS.

    Before going to visit family in Asia, go on a cleanse to lose those 9 pounds to fit in. Then before you fly back to the States, eat a bunch of lasagna. This is only reasonable solution.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    I was going to disagree but he's right. The stuff you and I are thinking of is American. It just stars Asian "actresses". The Asian stuff is awful. DO NOT WATCH.

    You have been warned
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    Do NOT listen to this person. Always follow the wisdom of crowds. ALWAYS.

    Before going to visit family in Asia, go on a cleanse to lose those 9 pounds to fit in. Then before you fly back to the States, eat a bunch of lasagna. This is only reasonable solution.

    And while in Asia, definitely keep muttering how poor they are that they can't afford food... definitely bound to get you attention.
  • AnaVerasGettingFit
    AnaVerasGettingFit Posts: 109 Member
    Try not to listen too much to what some of the Asians may say. Many of them can be a bit..... Tactless? Lacking in diplomacy? And then again, many just may not know what they're talking about, especially fobbers who are just basing it on how you look (no offense fobbers - i love you!) I only speak from experience with relatives and friends. They may be thin, but many are just skinny fat. Unless they're working out, of course --- which I know the majority of my tiny relatives are not. But on the opposite end of that, many Americans can sometimes be too proper or politically correct and would never dream of telling you you're overweight, even if you are. So basically you gotta figure it out. Easy peasy, right? :)
  • supertracylynn
    supertracylynn Posts: 1,338 Member
    asians do everything better.... except for porn

    and lap dances
    *shudder*
  • swisswife
    swisswife Posts: 47 Member
    OP - just saw your diary and you are aiming for 800 calories a day ....... is that right ??
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    Compared to Asians, Americans are fat. Very fat. That's regardless of ethnicity or gender.

    People will compare you to what they are used to seeing. If you see something everyday, it becomes normal. Hence, Americans generally find that being overweight is normal, and therefore healthy.

    Asians are much thinner, so being much thinner is normal to them.

    I have a few Asian friends who used to be very active and in great shape. When they moved here, they started complaining about how fat they were getting. They're still skinnier than almost all the white/Asian-American friends I have.

    It's all about perspective.

    Oh, and those are general observations. Obviously not ALL Americans are fat and not ALL Asians are thin.
  • lacaro1
    lacaro1 Posts: 81 Member
    Actually there is even a difference betweeen Americans and Europeans, at least according to my experience we Europeans tend to have a different body image and consider some people "fat" that are totally normal or even thin for Americans..
  • Nerdy_Rose
    Nerdy_Rose Posts: 1,277 Member
    asians do everything better.... except for porn

    I'd like to disagree on that last one... LOL!

    I was going to disagree but he's right. The stuff you and I are thinking of is American. It just stars Asian "actresses". The Asian stuff is awful. DO NOT WATCH.

    You have been warned

    LOL. Agreed.
  • supplemama
    supplemama Posts: 1,956 Member
    Americans of any race/culture tend to be really fat. I read somewhere that more than half of American adults are obese or overweight.

    I am an American who is black and among black people here, black women especially, there is a propensity to be really fat. I have talked to plenty of black Americans who really believe we are naturally fat; that it has nothing to do with overeating and lack of exercise. This is not true.

    I have met quite a few actual Africans who are quite slender, not fat at all, and when you look at pictures of people who are from Africa most seem to be fit and trim. And no, I'm not talking about Africans from areas/countries where getting enough food is an issue. I'm talking about people who are well fed.

    So I understand what you mean...
  • markpmc
    markpmc Posts: 240 Member
    The the whole obesity 'thing' has skewed our perception of what exactly FAT looks like. I suspect there's a happy medium between where you are right now and the asian norm.

    I take crap every week for bring skinny and my BF is about 15%.
  • ImperfectedBeauty
    ImperfectedBeauty Posts: 124 Member
    You don't look massively thin to me (sorry!)

    I think perceptions are skewed by context. Many, many Americans are grossly overweight, in comparison to the average American you are thin.

    Asians (I think) currently have less of an obesity issue, and average a more normal healthy weight.

    I have to agree with this. But on the same note, you are beautiful and I would say a lot of people probably aspire to have your body type.
  • AnnaMaus
    AnnaMaus Posts: 167 Member
    Try not to listen too much to what some of the Asians may say. Many of them can be a bit..... Tactless? Lacking in diplomacy? And then again, many just may not know what they're talking about, especially fobbers who are just basing it on how you look (no offense fobbers - i love you!) I only speak from experience with relatives and friends. They may be thin, but many are just skinny fat. Unless they're working out, of course --- which I know the majority of my tiny relatives are not. But on the opposite end of that, many Americans can sometimes be too proper or politically correct and would never dream of telling you you're overweight, even if you are. So basically you gotta figure it out. Easy peasy, right? :)

    On the cultural question (and not to the OP's issue) this is something I've always loved about visiting my best friend's home. She's from Thailand and has a very large family. If someone was fat, they'd say so, if they were doing well in school, they'd say so, if they were doing poorly in school, they'd say so. It was so refreshing. Some people may not like hearing the truth, but there's nothing inherently more polite about ignoring or not acknowledging important facts.

    If anything, being silent or "meekly polite" encourages sweeping problems under the rug... which my grandmother did with her husband and her kids, who ended up with a lot of serious problems, including obesity, drug and alcohol addiction and jail time. (Hi Dad! Love you!!)
  • Zangpakto
    Zangpakto Posts: 336 Member
    I will 100% disagree here... at least in Thailand in a nice "bar" they are very attentive lol... ;) know what I mean :P
  • OMGeeeHorses
    OMGeeeHorses Posts: 732 Member
    um you need to be eating more than 800 calories!! your going to go no were but burning muscles away with fat which is horrible!! Let MFP calculate for you and do it their way.
  • ahviendha
    ahviendha Posts: 1,291 Member
    i just wanted to add in that i had seen several white doctors who had never commented on my weight (back when i was over 200) but the very first asian doctor i saw looked me up and down and said flat out "you need to lose weight. you are obese for your height"

    within a year i'd begun losing weight! damn that woman, but also i need to go back and thank her.

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