fat and skinny

Originally uploaded by sladoo21

That’s the word based upon a series of twin studies in the October 2009 issue of Allure.  According to the studies, less fat distribution before age 40 makes people look younger, accentuating the cheekbones and the youthful contours of the face.  However, after age 40, excess fat tends to make people look younger, softening fine lines and wrinkles, and making the loosened collagen of the face (e.g., “jowls”) appear less noticeable.

So how much fat is too much?  No matter what your age, it is always advisable to keep your weight within the range of a healthy body mass index (BMI).   (To calculate yours with a BMI calculator from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, please click here).  Although several factors can affect its accuracy (such as bone structure, muscle mass, and a number of health ailments), the BMI is still the most accepted guideline amongst health professionals for assessing a patient’s weight.  Furthermore, if you’re over 40, don’t pack on the pounds just to look younger:  a very recent study featured on BMJ notes that weight gained between ages 18 and 50 significantly lower the odds of being healthy at 70 and beyond.

I personally am 24 years old, 5′4″, small-boned, and currently 105 pounds.  (Low BMI, but small-boned/petite).  In recent years, I have left my weight creep up to 110 pounds (see photo, left).   My face shows weight gains/losses very quickly, and significantly, as you can see.  With that said, I feel that I do look younger when I am at the lower weight (see photo, right).

What do you think about your weight and your skin?  Do you feel there is a correlation?  Let me know your thoughts in Comments below!