Skinny but high fat %= fat? Explain --->?

Question

I read somewhere that if you have a high body fat % that you look fatter then you actually are, can anyone tell me if this is true or not?

Im asking because my friend is naturally skinny, she eats like a pig, she looks great but her body fat percentage is like 40% or something. So please shed some light on this situation and tell me if high % means looking fatter a myth or fact?

Answer 1

Well a higher body fat percentage, they will look 'fatter'. That doesn't necessarily mean they will be a bigger in size, but they will look more flabby and untoned compared to someone with a lower body fat percentage.

Answer 2

the fat prob evens her out and she must have NO MUSCLE

and her insides must be very fatty...some percentage comes from your organs

and since shes a girls she might have a big b***s and a big butt

Answer 3

It is true that people who are skinny can have a high body fat percentage, if they are also dehydrated and have low muscle mass.  But someone who has a high body fat %, is dehydrated and has low muscle mass probably wouldn't look "great," could you be confused about your friends' body fat percentage?

As to your question, the way a person looks in relation to their fat percentage depends on the overall body composition.  You have to take into account things like muscle mass, hydration, height, bone structure and mass, and the way the person carries the fat.  (Apple shaped vs. pear shaped.)  Plus, you have to remember that fat takes up more room than muscle, but muscle and water weigh more.  

Actually, contrary to what all the fad diets and diet food advertisements would like us to believe, your friend may actually be on the right track.  In order to relax the body's survival system and get it to be a fat burning machine instead of a fat storing warehouse, you have to eat an abundance of healthy food; over 2000 calories for most adults, and significantly more for some men, athletes, and women who are pregnant or nursing.  But the key word here is "healthy."  If your friend is inhaling junk food, it will eventually catch up with her, never fear.