By Gwen “FitwithGwen” Jamison
“Ooooh, she thick!” That’s usually a phrase that is used in a good way. Some men say they don’t want a woman who is too skinny, so being “thick” is in. But what is “too thick” when it comes to our health?
“Thick” and “obese” are not interchangeable terms. “Thick” is a subjective descriptor often used to describe someone with a larger build, particularly in their hips and thighs, and can be associated with a healthy amount of muscle and fat. “Obese”, on the other hand, is a medical term based on a person’s Body Mass Index (BMI) (a measure of body fat based on height and weight). A BMI of 30 or higher indicates obesity.
With the term “thick” rapidly being accepted as embracing a few extra pounds, fitness champion and author, Laticia “Action” Jackson cautions Black women to put aside the images portrayed to us in our homes, communities, as well as mass media and take control of their well-being. Recently, BlackDoctor.org had the opportunity to catch up with the 2008 Fitness Olympian, who stressed the urgency of making time for ourselves.
“One of the things I really try to encourage women is I don’t care if you only get 20 minutes – doing something for yourself each day is important,” said Jackson.
When asked about the inspiration behind her latest book Jackson replied: “I’ve been in this field for 16 years. As a professional athlete, I’m usually the only Black woman inside my circle and one thing I noticed is that while there’s an overabundance of health, fitness and nutrition books available for today’s consumer, the health and wellness market really wasn’t paying attention to African American women and the challenges we face when trying to shed extra pounds, proper nutrition, and fitness.”
As health fanatics know far too well, obesity has been linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, stroke and many forms of cancer. “If you look at the health disparity of African American women, we are literally dying,” Jackson stressed. “The data is alarming. According to the CDC, 4 out of 5 African American women are obese. So, I just said you know what? I’m going to take the next six months and write a book that’s just for us.”
One of the most commonly used tools to define “healthy weight” is the Body Mass Index (BMI)—but did you know it was never designed for Black women or even non-white populations?
Why BMI Is Inaccurate for Black Women
Black women naturally have the following:
More muscle mass than white women (muscle weighs more than fat, making BMI higher).
Denser bones, meaning we might weigh more but not carry excess fat.
Different fat distribution (Black women often store fat in the hips, thighs, and buttocks instead of the stomach, which is less harmful metabolically).
Studies have shown that Black women with a BMI in the “overweight” or “obese” range can still have perfectly normal blood pressure, cholesterol, and metabolic health—proving that BMI alone is not a reliable indicator of health.
BMI is a flawed, outdated tool that doesn’t account for body composition. Being “thick” according to BMI does not automatically mean you’re unhealthy.
