Size in relation to weight.
Here is a question we received from a visitor about differences between weight and size. Weight and volume are different factors that can result in a different outcome for people.
If something is made up of material which is dense, then it usually takes up less volume or space than something which is made up of less dense materials. This is similar in people. We are all made up of mostly water which is composed of dense molecules. However, when someone gains lots of fat they often take up more volume (in other words they are bigger) because fat is less dense than water, the molecules are more spaced out. This often means that obese people are usually very large in size. We can see the difference comparing the obese to bodybuilders. An obese person weighing around 300 pounds may havc a chest measurement of up to 60 inches, and even beyond. A 300 pound muscleman may only have a chest size in the lower 50 inch bracket.
Her is the question and answer from a visitor:
Hi,
Thanks for the question.
You wrote:
"Is it true that some people weigh more but look smaller than an indiviual that weighs less than them? if so, why is it that?"
It is possible for a person to be smaller than another of similar body types but yet weigh more. The reason for this is usually muscle mass. The heavier, smaller person tends to carry more muscle. Muscle is much denser than fat weight, thus it occupies less space. Fat takes up more volume of space per pound than muscle. Therefore, a fatter person tends to be bigger than a lean person of the same weight.
We can all witness this process as people age. After the age of around 30 years our body very slowly loses muscle (the rate of loss is slowed with regular exercise). As you lose muscle it reduces the metabolism, the result is we need less calories. Eventually this leads to a positive energy balance (we eat more energy than required) and we slowly replace lost muscle with fat weight. In many cases (those managing to maintain a steady weight over time) some people remain the same weight for years yet they seem to grow in size and width (butt gets bigger, hips, etc). The fact is they do grow bigger as the fat percentage rises. This process is often referred to as "middle-age spread".
You can read more about body types here:
http://www.weightlossforall.com/body-types-weight-loss.htm
Hope this helps!
All the best
If something is made up of material which is dense, then it usually takes up less volume or space than something which is made up of less dense materials. This is similar in people. We are all made up of mostly water which is composed of dense molecules. However, when someone gains lots of fat they often take up more volume (in other words they are bigger) because fat is less dense than water, the molecules are more spaced out. This often means that obese people are usually very large in size. We can see the difference comparing the obese to bodybuilders. An obese person weighing around 300 pounds may havc a chest measurement of up to 60 inches, and even beyond. A 300 pound muscleman may only have a chest size in the lower 50 inch bracket.
Her is the question and answer from a visitor:
Hi,
Thanks for the question.
You wrote:
"Is it true that some people weigh more but look smaller than an indiviual that weighs less than them? if so, why is it that?"
It is possible for a person to be smaller than another of similar body types but yet weigh more. The reason for this is usually muscle mass. The heavier, smaller person tends to carry more muscle. Muscle is much denser than fat weight, thus it occupies less space. Fat takes up more volume of space per pound than muscle. Therefore, a fatter person tends to be bigger than a lean person of the same weight.
We can all witness this process as people age. After the age of around 30 years our body very slowly loses muscle (the rate of loss is slowed with regular exercise). As you lose muscle it reduces the metabolism, the result is we need less calories. Eventually this leads to a positive energy balance (we eat more energy than required) and we slowly replace lost muscle with fat weight. In many cases (those managing to maintain a steady weight over time) some people remain the same weight for years yet they seem to grow in size and width (butt gets bigger, hips, etc). The fact is they do grow bigger as the fat percentage rises. This process is often referred to as "middle-age spread".
You can read more about body types here:
http://www.weightlossforall.com/body-types-weight-loss.htm
Hope this helps!
All the best
posted by Weight Loss helper @ 2:55 PM
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