What is true is that people have different size body frames (small, medium and large). Only about 15% of people have a larger and 15% of people have a smaller than average frame; most us have an average frame size. So, blaming your extra weight on the size of your bones is not accurate.

People with larger bones are slightly larger for their heights; however, it’s the soft tissue atop and around those bones (muscle and fat) that make some people look more “big boned” than others. Simply put, most who weigh too much for their height do so because of excess body fat.  Bodybuilders are the exception to the rule due to muscle mass weighing more than the same volume of fat.

For a person to not have excess body fat (overweight/obese), he/she should live a healthy lifestyle. A person should exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes daily), eat healthy (fruits/vegetables, drink lots of water), get plenty of sleep (8 hours), meditate (positive thinking), and visit your doctor (yearly physical exams).

So, next time you hear someone say, “I’m big boned,” help them to know it is not the size of their bones that determines their weight; but rather, the excess fat that is attached to it. Now, let’s get fit!