"asian thin" vs. "american thin"?
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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.
Solid advice ;-)0 -
I do some cross-cultural research on this.
First, yes, Asian- (and French and Scandanavian) standards are thinner than US standards. And US standards have gotten 'fatter' over the years.
Second, most Asians are not naturally thin, just as most Americans aren't. Asians, on average, eat better and less than people in the US do. This is also true of Asian-Americans until enough generations after immigration has passed so that they have fully enculturated. So first generation Asian-Americans tend to be thinner than second who are thinner than third.
Some cultural eating practices that help Asians (and anyone) stay thin are things like filling up on soup before a meal, eating very little bread (though rice is, of course calorie-dense), eating lots of veggies and little meat (lower fat), and eating very little dairy.
Things some Asian-Americans do that are bad - especially new immigrants - is taking advantage of the cheap sugar and high fat meats to make 'luxury' goods like meats soaked in sugar that were normally treats into deaily meals. Bad for your waistline and your teeth.
There is some research that says there's a 'thin gene' that's more common in Asians and less common, for example, among Inuit or Northern Europeans. But that's just a bit of it and it wouldn't explain why Asian-Americans are much heavier than Asians who live in Japan or Korea or China, for example.0 -
I think many Asians (of course not all) have generally smaller frames. So, if the healthy BMI range is 120 to 145 for a certain height (like mine LOL), Asians may need to be on the smaller side of that range vs the larger side. My frame is quite large, so I'm aiming for the top half of that range.
My children are Asian. My daughter has a pretty delicate frame is is less than the 20% for height. My older son has a heavier frame and a MUCH higher muscle mass, but is still short (19%). My youngest son is too small to tell for sure, but he seems to have a smaller frame, but should be quite tall (at least 6'1").0 -
And US standards have gotten 'fatter' over the years.
I disagree with that actually. The US changed their BMI standards maybe 10ish years ago to be lower. A BMI of 27 used to be considered healthy and now the top of that range is a BMI of 25. US averages have certainly gone up, but I don't believe the standards have.0 -
My husband is Thai.
When I lost 20 lbs his family commented on it but then said "oh you should lose 20 more and you'll be good".
I was also 135 size 3-4 visiting Japan in 2011 and I was HUGE!
His family also told his mom she was "fat" when pregnant. So I'm always scared to see them when I've gained weight. There is a difference between what they think is thin and what we think thin is.0 -
In psychology classes I read about a study where guys had to rate "beauty" when shown a full-body picture of several ladies. The results showed that proportions were more the key element, not overall size. What these are I can't remember but it was something along the typical hourglass figure, whether it's a big hourglass or a small one.
You can't compare yourself to people with totally different bone structures and muscle mass. You'll get no where but sad. Check out your body fat percentage with someone who's qualified to measure it accurately like a trainer or a doctor. A healthy body fat % is the only thing that will tell you if you're thin or fat. Not even your friends who may or may not be honest. I would never even try to pass judgment like that on my friends or strangers.
Body fat % baby, that's the only truth. Perceptions are fickle and change with everyone you ask. You have to be happy with who you are, and your health needs a good body fat %.
Good luck.0 -
Asians don't hand out compliments easily. They're all about humility. (yes I'm aware that's a generalization that isn't true about everyone).My husband is Thai.
When I lost 20 lbs his family commented on it but then said "oh you should lose 20 more and you'll be good".
I was also 135 size 3-4 visiting Japan in 2011 and I was HUGE!
His family also told his mom she was "fat" when pregnant. So I'm always scared to see them when I've gained weight. There is a difference between what they think is thin and what we think thin is.0 -
I lived in Japan for several years and the way we were able to spot people from English speaking "Western" countries (Australia, U.S., U.K.) regardless of race was their general body make up. Not all were overweight but with very few exceptions, had significantly more muscle build. The overweight were obvious. That said, many of the Japanese are skinny fat so I don't really hold that out as an ideal either.0
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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?
Girl, I feel you...
In France, Italy or Russia if you're size 40, you're fat (it's 4 in American).
But in the USA I feel normal.
In Qatar I feel gorgeous, lmao!0 -
In Asia, I think they are more upfront about one's appearance and weight, whereas in America it is considered rude to comment on something like that. That being said, the views of what's normal also varies due to the drastic differences on what is average - America is much "fatter" than Asia, generally speaking.
Perceptions vary depending on the normality. Focus on you and how YOU feel about the mirror, forget about others. Nothing is ever perfectly ideal.0 -
Something I noticed about myself when I was getting fatter, the fatter I got, the more normal fat seemed in other people. People that I perceived as fat before now seemed more normal sized. Weird head game.0
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I found this fun Worldwide BMI Calculator.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18770328
I was always considered fat by Asian standards. The fat comments were hurtful, but I knew I had more good stuff inside than they did on the outside for putting me down.0 -
I think the clue is actually in what you wrote. You compare yourself to 'naturally' thin Asian friends. We are who we are. If you're not naturally thin then that's just the way that you are. Just focus on getting to a healthy weight for you no matter where you live or what your ethnic background. You look very pretty to me so hold your head up and love yourself x0
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I find that there is a direct correlation between surroundings and physical size in Asia. For example, in Japan the population is VERY dense, everything is made smaller to accommodate the large population. When you gain weight in Japan, it is very noticeable so I think they pay more attention to their diet then the average American because the incovenience is more noticeable. In Japan there is also greater emphasis on portion control.0
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I am 7/8ths faan kwai loh. The other 1/8th is Han.0
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Send in the Crown0
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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...
I agree, but I think some ethnics tend to be a little shapelier, like Blacks, Brazilians. And some people regardless of their race are naturally heavier, but that doesn’t mean they have to be overweight.0 -
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.
It's all about perspective.
As a European [UK] I can only agree with this comment.
On my first trip to US [Florida] I was a fat by UK norms, but found i was the slim bloke even though i was very much overweight.
It is all perspective,but fat is fat regardless of country0 -
One word "Genetics"
I have my thin asian mother's genetics. Although I wish I had my father's genetics (stocky).
You don't appear to be overweight IMO.0 -
well, americans are fat on average.0
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There is a blog that deals with this very thing... it's really good: thickdumplingskin.com. Body image and being Asian.0
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As a European [UK]...On my first trip to US [Florida] I was a fat by UK norms, but found i was the slim bloke even though i was very much overweight. It is all perspective,but fat is fat regardless of country
Oh yeah? Last time I was in the UK y'all were looking pretty rotund to me. Y'all may have even surpassed the US.0 -
Yeah... I think the stats were 70% or 2/3s of americans are obese.
I live in houston, the fattest (not sure if this has changed) city in the United States. I kid you not almost EVERYONE i know is overweight. I am constantly made fun of or called "skinny" or "flacca" and i have a BMI of 20. Which isn't even too thin.
It's ALL about perspective. I heard that if i were to go to korea they pretty much have one to two sizes. I am a US 1-3 and was told that i would be too big for the two sizes they have.0 -
As a European [UK]...On my first trip to US [Florida] I was a fat by UK norms, but found i was the slim bloke even though i was very much overweight. It is all perspective,but fat is fat regardless of country
Oh yeah? Last time I was in the UK y'all were looking pretty rotund to me. Y'all may have even surpassed the US.
In the UK an estimated 60.8 per cent of adults and 31.1 per cent of children are overweight.
In the US-
•Percent of adults age 20 years and over who are obese: 35.9% (2009-2010)
•Percent of adults age 20 years and over who are overweight (and not obese): 33.3% (2009-2010)
Source: Health, United States, 2011, table 69 [PDF - 9.8 MB]
•Percent of adolescents age 12-19 years who are obese: 18.4% (2009-2010)
•Percent of children age 6-11 years who are obese: 18.0% (2009-2010)
•Percent of children age 2-5 years who are obese: 12.1% (2009-2010)0 -
I found this fun Worldwide BMI Calculator.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18770328
I was always considered fat by Asian standards. The fat comments were hurtful, but I knew I had more good stuff inside than they did on the outside for putting me down.
I am terribly fond of this website because it says my bmi is lower than the average Japanese woman my age. Having lived in Japan, I find this unlikely, but if the research says so...:drinker:
Equally, I get quite a thrill when my Japanese MIL says I look 'smart' (meaning thin) when we Skype. In contrast, my mum gets quite anxious when I get near to a BMI of 20 (she threatened to force feed me! :laugh::grumble: ). So, OP, I know how you feel, but the opposite way round!0 -
Of course there's Asian thin and American thin.
Asians body frame is very different (shoulders, chest, hips etc everything is more compact) and their healthy weight is different from American healthy weight. They are shorter, their shoe size is much smaller.
At the gym I've never seen any woman who would weigh more than 70 kg, 50-55-60 is very common for a mid-age woman. Older ladies gain a little bit, but 75 kg is pretty rare.
Also when women are pregnant, normal weight gain is different, it's only 8-10 kg, while in Europe and I believe in US it's more than that. So foreigners have a bad time being pregnant here 'cause docs really grill them on that
I live in Japan and I used to feel very big and very curvy. So did my friends of different nationalities. If you're a little bit bigger than Japanese L (which is smaller than in the US), you'll have troubles finding shoes, pants, bras etc.
I lost some weight now, so I feel better, but I am still very different, and will probably always be.
Are they a motivation to lose weight and get fitter? Definitely yes. Would I feel the same if I lived in the country where I would be considered slim? Definitely yes.
It doesn't matter where I live, I wanna be healthier and look better.0 -
Yes, I have experienced it!
I am a first generation AA, I was rail thin as a child-I ate the typical Asian diet. I got made fun of by the kids at school because I was thinner than the rest of them.
When I got to college, I started eating what my friends ate, typical American foods, pizza, burgers, french fries. I got fat, grossly fat (I also believe hormones from the pill were a contributing factor as well).
So, I decided to lose weight, and went back to a mostly Asian diet, and I started losing weight rather quickly. Many of my friends wondered why I wanted to lose weight, "You don't look fat! You look fine" Well, apparently Asians also hold weight really well. (I am not happy with the number on the scale, but the size of my jeans tells me I should be).
An American diet it terrible, we are bombarded with food food food! Fast food, food full of fat, sugars and preservatives. I know many Europeans who moved to America, and they gained weight because they converted to an American diet.
I saw your profile, and I would say, "you look 'average' " for the general American weight, not 'thin' nor 'fat'. Maybe find a happy medium somewhere between American Thin, and Asian Thin?
Best of Luck to you!0 -
All the asians girls I know are always on a diet. That should be some sort of indication of asian thin vs american thin
Another thing to note is asian women don't seem to distribute weight very well. The overweight asian women I've met look very overweight even if they aren't that heavy.0 -
I remember getting on the plane to come back to America, in Beijing, after a month traveling through Asia and being able to tell the difference between the Asian-Americans and the Asians from their waistline. It was amazing. I had not seen fat (Asian fat, American normal) Asians the whole time during my trip until i started seeing the ones with American accents and clothing.
I would go for Asian skinny over American skinny because American skinny is still fat.0 -
I've never been out of the US, but I do know that I'm overweight by the BMI standards, and a lot of my peers think I look fine.
I also can tell you that my little brother was adopted from Guatemala, and by American standards, he is underweight. By Guatemalan standards, he is normal. Since he seems to be developing normally, we aren't too worried about it. There is no point in making him feel weird about food or exercise when he seems healthy otherwise.
I try not to worry as much about appearances, or numbers on a scale. I try to go by the way people feel, and act. If you seem like you're healthy enough to do all the things you want to do and generally enjoy life, that's what really matters.0
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