This difference is soooooo important. Why? When we talk about “gaining weight” what we really mean to say is fat (adipose tissue) gain. And what’s the big health risk problem and public health problem?

If you’re a man with more than 10% bodyfat, or a woman with more than 20% bodyfat, you’re far more likely to get metabolic diseases (which worsen your life) such as Type 2 Diabetes (which is reversible by quitting sugar) and Type 3 Diabetes (also known as “Alzheimer’s).

Furthermore, metabolic diseases involving the irregulation of insulin (consuming sugar, alcohol, sweeteners [both artificial and “natural”]) fuck up our bodies. It prevents “programmed cell death”, which can lead to cancer (irregularion of cellular growth).

Even for women … too much adipose tissue (fat) can lead women to increased estrogen levels in their body, which can directly or indirectly lead to breast cancer. A simple Google Scholar search shows many connections between insulin, estrogen and breast cancer. For example this mini review on the estrogen connection with breast cancer [PDF Download]. Or see the Komen website on diabetes and breast cancer.

Why not all weight is alike.

What’s the difference in body composition between a 200 pound bodybuilder (10% body fat) and a 200 pound gamer (40% body fat)? A huge one. Thus you cannot talk weight alone.

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Also — note the hilarity of the sex differences. Men are always trying to “gain weight”, whereas women typically are trying to “lose weight”. Better precision in words is:

Men desire to augment their muscle (skeletal) mass.

And:

Women desire to decrease their body fat (adipose tissue).

But actually … we are the same. Both men AND women should strive to gain muscle mass and lower their body fat percentage. For women why 20% body fat is preferable is because anything lower leads to infertility. Also women with very high body fat (40% and beyond) also risk infertility or less fertility.

Men are the same. 10% body fat is optimal for men (because we do not require breast tissue to breast feed as women do). And men who are BELOW 10% (for example extreme bodybuilders in the 5% bodyfat range) are actually infertile (their marching soldiers aren’t very effective to impregnate a woman). Similarly speaking, men with high body fat (30% and above) also risk male infertility.

Anti body body shaming

I don’t like body shaming. Why not? It isn’t effective. To just tell someone “you’re fat, to lose some fat” is not effective. People will put up walls and might actually do the opposite — intentionally gain fat in order to spite you (and “society”). Better to sell the benefits of losing body fat, for example:

1. Looking great naked in front of the mirror before you take a shower or bath
2. Increased mood, creative and physical productivity.
3. Increased happiness and physiological well-being and thriving.