Weight question - are people getting heavier even without fat?

Non-Running Pop Culture

5 years ago 11/14/2018 10:37am EST

I’m wondering if the increase in weight that we are seeing isn’t all about fat. Specifically if our bodies are becoming heavier in general - bones, organs, muscle, etc have increased weight/density due to better nutrition? Basically that a lifetime of eating less means that an Ethiopian runner with the same percentage of body fat as an American runner will be lighter because their organs, muscles, bones etc. are lighter (less dense)?

(I was thinking about this as I was at a family gathering on the weekend and have two nephews who are both 8, both same height one is a bit fat and the other is not, but its the skinnier kid who weighs significantly more. It’s like the kid is made of lead. He’s 8 so it’s not like it’s from body building, the kid is just heavy, especially compared to my fatter nephew. Heavier bones, organs, muscles??)

5 years ago 11/14/2018 10:47am EST

re: Density

I’d believe that if the skinnier person was taller or had vastly different genetics, then they might probably have larger bones and organs. However if they’re not taller and are siblings , that weight has to be muscle and/or fat.

Visceral fat accumulation can significantly increase weight but won’t be visible outwardly. That’s my guess, although an 8 year old shouldn’t have much visceral fat, so i would think in this case it’s more muscle

5 years ago 11/14/2018 11:08am EST

re: Density

I think you're thinking of the three body types. Ectomorph: Lean and long, with difficulty building muscle. Endomorph: Big, high body fat, often pear-shaped, with a high tendency to store body fat. Mesomorph: Muscular and well-built, with a high metabolism and responsive muscle cells.

5 years ago 11/14/2018 11:20am EST

re: Density

With little kids, bone structure matters a lot in how much they weigh. So, a kid who is a little doughy but otherwise has a light frame will weigh less than a kid who is lean but has big bones. This is because a lot of big muscle groups like pectorals, glutes, hams and quads do not develop much in size until kids hit puberty.

As for the nutrition theory, genetics control. You cannot overcome genetics with nutrition. If you have genes for a light frame, you can eat the best diet in the world and will still end up with a light frame. So, your parents body type matters much more than what your parents make for dinner.

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