Can someone show & explain skinny fat to me?

I feel like this is used by someone who also uses the words "Thigh gap" "Bikini Birdge" and ABC Diet.

I understand that this can be legitimately used but the pictures posted of "examples" on the first page are ****ing ridiculous. All women tend to store a little extra flab on their butt and aren't even close to being fat "Skinny fat" or otherwise.

And I completely agree with the sentiment that you/re going to see better results from lifting than from cardio

I think there are actually two different definitions that are commonly used.

1. Healthy BMI, unhealthy body fat percentage (above 30% for women).

2. Healthy BMI, upper end of the healthy body fat percentage, low muscle percentage.


The first has some serious medical consequences especially later in life. This should be avoided.

The second is more atheistic preference but it's use can be insulting to people who just don't want a lot of muscle or don't want to be especially lean. Like Puffy's first picture. There's nothing wrong with that. Some people want to look that way. To call those people "skinny fat" IS insulting them. We don't all have the same preferences or goals.

All of this.

1 - is more in line with Normal Weight Obesity which can have similar health implication to obesity
2 - Preference, scare mongering or an insult depending on context

The general consensus on here is an unhealthy BF% with a healthy BMI.

But based on the posts in this thread, that is not the consensus.

Skinny obese?
Skinny morbidly obese?

Skinny fat is a social term not medical. Not a single pubmed article uses the term as a ref or title.

this is my personal example...

2011 - skinny fat - 120 pounds, 24-25% body fat
2012 - fit - 130 pounds, 15% body fat

You look stunning in both but to be honest they look the same to me except for the different lighting/tan and the pushup bikini. Where did you get those body fat %s from? 15% is below where you normally lose ability to menstruate. Here's some pics of other women at 15%.

http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages

I'm not saying women can't bulk, at all, ever. Most people here are obese. When people constantly post things like "don't aim for 2 lbs. a week or you'll just wind up skinny fat", it's kind of silly.

Youre gorgeous but did your tattoo migrate in both pics?

thank you. And, yes. Yes, it did. It was magic.

I think claiming that 24 - 25% body fat can be described as "skinny fat" is a nonsense. I understand that the poster who described herself this way is doing so because she competes in competitions. But this is a HEALTHY body fat percentage for the normal young woman of child bearing age. Going much lower for these women will be putting their fertility at risk. Most women just want to be slim and calling 24 - 25 % body fat "skinny fat" is in itself a form of "body shaming". Just my opinion

I think claiming that 24 - 25% body fat can be described as "skinny fat" is a nonsense. I understand that the poster who described herself this way is doing so because she competes in competitions. But this is a HEALTHY body fat percentage for the normal young woman of child bearing age. Going much lower for these women will be putting their fertility at risk. Most women just want to be slim and calling 24 - 25 % body fat "skinny fat" is in itself a form of "body shaming". Just my opinion

I am in no way body shaming ANYONE. I said it was my personal opinion of MY pictures. Not once did I say that was about everyone, or how I view others. I also NEVER said 24-25% body fat was unhealthy. I said it had to do with the weight/body fat ratio in the 2011 and 2012 pictures.

It is how I perceive myself in a phase in my life. First, I was anorexic - weighing in at maybe 95 pounds at 5'5", then I feel I was "skinny fat" and now fit.

I don't call anyone else "skinny fat". That to me is a personal thing. Then again, I don't call people skinny or fat, either.

I think claiming that 24 - 25% body fat can be described as "skinny fat" is a nonsense. I understand that the poster who described herself this way is doing so because she competes in competitions. But this is a HEALTHY body fat percentage for the normal young woman of child bearing age. Going much lower for these women will be putting their fertility at risk. Most women just want to be slim and calling 24 - 25 % body fat "skinny fat" is in itself a form of "body shaming". Just my opinion

I agree that this term is a form of body shaming. If a person exercises regularly and eats a healthy diet, they most likely have a healthy body fat percentage. However, some people may refer to them as "skinny fat" if they do not look a certain way in a bikini. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.

ETA: In no way am I accusing anyone in this thread of body shaming anyone. :-)

In addition, body weight does affect fertility. If you have too little body fat or too much body fat, you may have difficulty conceiving. If you are trying to get pregnant and want to have a certain % of body fat, you may want to consult a doctor beforehand.

I think claiming that 24 - 25% body fat can be described as "skinny fat" is a nonsense. I understand that the poster who described herself this way is doing so because she competes in competitions. But this is a HEALTHY body fat percentage for the normal young woman of child bearing age. Going much lower for these women will be putting their fertility at risk. Most women just want to be slim and calling 24 - 25 % body fat "skinny fat" is in itself a form of "body shaming". Just my opinion

I am in no way body shaming ANYONE. I said it was my personal opinion of MY pictures. Not once did I say that was about everyone, or how I view others. I also NEVER said 24-25% body fat was unhealthy. I said it had to do with the weight/body fat ratio in the 2011 and 2012 pictures.

It is how I perceive myself in a phase in my life. First, I was anorexic - weighing in at maybe 95 pounds at 5'5", then I feel I was "skinny fat" and now fit.

I don't call anyone else "skinny fat". That to me is a personal thing. Then again, I don't call people skinny or fat, either.

I understand totally what you are saying and I did not intend to imply that you specifically are body shaming people by calling "24-25%" body fat as "skinny fat". However, that is how you described yourself. Other, young, impressionable people might also have read this thread and now be thinking that a 15% body fat is the ideal for them. I fully appreciate that you are competing and are putting an enormous amount of work into achieving your results. I applaud you for this just as much as I would a concert pianist or an athelete who put in hours and hours of practice per day to achieve their goals.

Dont think I can add anything else here without it getting too convoluted and complicated.

Good luck with your goals and feel proud of yourself for all you have achieved :flowerforyou:

That is why I stated they were my personal opinions, based on the fact that I compete. I did say I like my body at both stages. I also do not maintain the 15% for very long, as its not easy or fun - foodwise, lol.

Thank you for the luck!

Throwing in my two cents... I'm by no means an expert on this stuff, just my own personal opinion on the subject from what I've read, observed and experienced.

First, I think the phrase 'skinny fat' is an oxymoron. I don't see how anyone can be skinny and fat at the same time. I think I understand though what this unfortunate term is trying to convey.

It means someone who falls within what is considered a 'normal' range of weight for their height/age, but their body looks & feels soft, squishy to the touch and skin hangs loose. This is due to very little muscular structure filling out their skin and giving it definition.

This happens when a person eats at a calorie deficit for a length of time without doing some kind of strength training/exercise to retain/reveal whatever muscular structure they have, they lose body fat but also lose muscle too so there's nothing much left to 'fill out' their skin.

Someone who is above the 'normal' range, or fat, if you will, most likely has a soft, squishy feel too, but they usually don't have loose skin since their body's fat content fills it out and also covers up any muscles hiding beneath. They might still look 'droopy' though in areas from the fat content weight pulling down their skin. What is known as 'flab.' I'm guessing this may be how the phrase 'skinny fat' was coined since loose skin hanging down mimics the look of flab? Maybe? *shrugs*

I believe loose skin with no fat content underneath it is also the reason why some people look older when they lose weight. It's simply because they don't have as much fat content underneath their skin to plump up and/or smooth out any wrinkles they already had.

Lastly, whether you're 'fit and firm' or 'soft and squishy', if YOU are happy, healthy and satisfied with the way your body looks and feels, that's what matters most. :flowerforyou: