Is Big Boned a thing, or is it BS?

[OddBeMe]

Obviously I don’t think bones are larger. But there are “thicker” people and skinnier people. Some thick, but not necessarily “fat”.

My before and after

Yeah, in a way. You can be thick and not fat

Nah, you just fat

Not sure

[Investigator]

For the sake of argument, let's grant the premise that "big boned" is literally a thing, in the anatomical sense, and work our way backwards. You're telling me that you came out of your mother's womb (assuming we're still talking a world, where artificial birthing hasn't been created yet) and your bones were genetically predisposed to take up more space than there was room in her uterus than is normally available?

Furthermore, if we grant that "big boned" actually means the skeleton is physically larger (again, from birth) and not that there are simply more fat deposits, then it must also be true that the body's physiology developed a cardiovascular system consummate with this increased bone mass, providing a proportionately-working circulatory network--a body type built around such a larger endoskeleton would be as nimble and efficient as one using the "normal" skeleton. It would also mean that someone like this would be superior to a typical human, due to adapting around heavier body parts, and would outclass a smaller person in every conceivable way. Instead, larger individuals often suffer from joint problems (indicating that their body's ligaments and tendons are being overloaded) and respiratory complications (not very efficient at pumping oxygenated blood), meaning this cannot be so.

[Miristheiss]

Mmmm, it is sort of a thing but then again not really.

I don't think bones can get too big... you know like the circumference of of one person's humerus is 3 inches (made up example) and someone else has a circumference of 5 inches. I don't think it works that way... even though one person can have thicker, wider bones than another.

I think the ways in which a bone structure can make one person "big" and another "small" is in places like:

rib cage. The rib cage can make one person tiny and petite while on another they can be "barrel chested". The circumference of the rib cage can vary greatly. If the circumference of the ribs is bigger it will make that person's entire upper body bigger, thicker.

The 2-bones sections of the body... the forearm (radium & ulna) and the lower leg (fibula & tibia), those 2 bones are probably spread out from each other a bit leading to a thicker appendage and thicker wrists and ankles. That with a higher circumference rib cage can lead to an overall thicker person. I don't really know about each individual bone being "big boned".

[WhatTheHeckkkk]

I don’t think “Big boned” is a thing. But don’t quote me, I don’t know much about bones and anatomy like that.
I think you can have a wide bone structure and frame, but your bones are not bigger in circumference than any other humans.

[OddBeMe]

Agreed. There are “thicker” people who may not be “fat”. But yeah, that’s a good point, wider structure.

[MORPHEUS_12]

It's been my observation of hearing this comment from "certain ethnicities" that use this excuse in denial that their genetics has a huge toll in their overall health.

[OddBeMe]

“Ethnicities” aside, as we all do it…. that is an excuse we use.

[Phoenix-gb]

While "Big Boned", might be a misleading term, bone density will affect weight, which will affect the outcome of BMI. It is also important to clarify that while increased BMI increases risk of certain conditions, it is possible to be metabolically healthy and still overweight.

Genetics also plays a part, some people are pre-determined by their genes to be heavier, and so to be underweight for their genetics would actually be detrimental to their health than being overweight for society.

[DaveJord]

https://motionhealth.net/2021/08/18/big-boned-big-myth/

So in general everyone's bone size is proportionate to a persons hieght. So if someone is 7 foot tall one could say they are bigger boned than someone that is only 5 foot tall. But in regards to weight the average human skeleton will account for around 12%-15% of total body weight.

Now some people do have heavier bone density, which again does not make thier bones any larger or bigger, just more dense. Again this will make them weight more but we are not talking about more that 2 to 5 pounds in 99% of people, which still falls into that 12% to 15% of weight... and it does not make the person bigger, maybe slightly more heavier but not bigger.

So if your6 fat you're fat, its not about your bones.

[Slartybartfast]

I'm "small boned" I have a lot of muscle on a very light frame. It worked in my favor wrestling. I was always a lot stronger than the guys in my weight class.

I was in a car accident, doctor said my bones were so strong and full of calcium he had to adjust the contrast on the x-ray.

[genericname85]

it is of course bs. but there is some genetic variance that makes it more difficult for some people to lose weight. however there's no condition that exists that makes it impossible to lose weight, cause the basic laws of physics dictate, that your body can not store more fuel than you put in it.

[TacosRAwesome]

It's a thing but not as much as some people think. I'll give an example using myself, I'm 5ft5 and according to BMI I can weigh between 50kg and 69kg to be in the healthy range (approx). However as someone with a medium to large frame I'd rather stick to around 65kg because any smaller I'd look a bit too boney and unhealthy. Someone with a smaller frame can go lower and still look fine. However no one is big boned enough to weigh over 100kgs and be in a healthy range.

[Anonymous]

Yes and people, who say no, have no idea what they're talking about. Some people are just larger-framed and have a wider bone structure than others (shoulders, ribcage and/or hip bones). Some women may have a wider hip bone/pelvic area than others.
For example, I'm never smaller than a size 6 in pants, even when I'm at my lowest healthy weight, whereas some other women wear a size 4 or 2. That's because of my bone structure, not because I'm fat

[Staximus]

The bones are larger or smaller. Look at people's wrists and ankles who are not real fat. I'm 5"7". My wrists and ankles don't have any fat on them, and they are bigger than the wrists and ankles of 4 of my friends who are between 6'4" and 6'6". Look at Samoans who are not fat, they are still giants with wrists like 2x4's

[lrina]

each person has a different bone structure. while most have a normal bone structure, there are definitely people with a smaller body frame and ones with a larger one. it really depends though, and this excuse is overused.

[Apulu_3]

It is thick not big I guess. We have a classmate like that who is very thick and she said she have big bones.

[OddBeMe]

I mean I don’t think her actual bones are twice as large… but people’s frames could be larger.

[Apulu_3]

Her hands and legs are very thick though. I don't think it have something to do with frame. It's almost like that thick skeleton in your question.

[FreyaRed]

B
There is a difference in porosity of bones among people, but weight difference between strong and weak bones is minimal because bones are filled inside with tissue anyway.

[befuddle]

6'3" adult men have the same sized bones as newborns baby girls... Totally how it works. Everyone's bones are the same size... The failure of logic of this guy...

[Subarugirl]

Your skeletal structure doesn't effect much other than stature... your diet, activity level, muscles and genetic predisposition is going to effect that way you carry weight.

[OddBeMe]

And the weight of my white guilt, don’t forget.

[OneManOnly01]

@Subarugirl You’re totally wrong and you never have an idea of what you’re talking about yet you try to pretend you’re an expert.

Your weight is HIGHLY determined by your bones. When you have higher bone density you also have denser skeletal muscles and that makes you heavier.

This concept of ectomorph and mesomorph and all that is partly based on it. When you’re naturally a bit muscular that is indirectly related to your bone density or directly related to your level of myostatin.

[Subarugirl]

@OneManOnly01 your skeletal structures doesn’t determine weather or not you’re obese or over weight kiddo your diet does

[OneManOnly01]

@Subarugirl Okay, would you please enlighten me what ‘overweight’ actually means?

[Subarugirl]

@OneManOnly01 Weight that is higher than what is considered healthy for a given height

[OneManOnly01]

@Subarugirl Right there that’s the dumb concept of BMI. So according to you if a guy is 6’0” and weighs 86kg but has 12% bodyfat, you would call that ‘overweight’?

Here’s some enlightenment for you now, modern science doesn’t recongize this term of ‘overweight‘ anymore. It’s called obese.

And simply your weight alone doesn’t determine if you’re obese or not.

[Subarugirl]

@OneManOnly01 no shit sherlock your doctor does. But it doesn't take a genius to see if a person has a healthy body fat percentage or is obese.

[OneManOnly01]

@Subarugirl Just tell me, do you think bone density and skeletal muscle density has no impact on bodyweight?

[Subarugirl]

@OneManOnly01 of course it does. No one is saying that it doesn't..

[OneManOnly01]

@Subarugirl Then what's even the point of arguing when you could have simply just agreed with me in the first place.

[Subarugirl]

@OneManOnly01I wasn't arguing that is what I said in the first place, Im glad that you agree with my original statement

[dustybiker]

Genetics. And usage. Example: People who play tennis professionally have thicker bones in their dominant arm. Constant repairs their bodies make.

[Wade12345]

A very rare gene actually does cause the person to have bigger and stronger bones, but most people are just making a BS excuse for being fat.

[ragooo8]

Big boned as in gig hips like some women have or oversized rib cage other than if it jiggles its fat.

[OddBeMe]

Yeah, I’ve dated chicks who weren’t fat with massive hips. Nearly broke me on two….

[Redstang88]

I don’t know how much skeletal structure varies, but muscle mass sure makes a difference. A bodybuilder and a distance runner are gonna look a hell of a lot different at the same body fat

[exitseven]

There are different body types. If you are a mesomorph it will be natural for you to be bigger than an endomorph.

[Razp_Sorbet]

Yes big bones are a think but they're not a reason to be overweight

[Iron_Man]

Of course big bone is the real deal but women use that as an excuse when they’re chubby Even my own female friend does that

[Bubbles16]

We're actually studying the skeletal system in science class and my teacher says being big boned isn't a thing

[Medhat-M]

Yeah I think it's just a nicer expression instead of " you're fat "

[888theGreat]

you ain't kidding

[cryscrys1]

It’s just fat lol

[OddBeMe]

Damn you to hell!
:)

[Anonymous]

I don’t know but big boner is a thing.

[msc545]

Heavy set is a thing.

[TsAubreyKate]

It’s real it’s not common but it’s real