Bone density: size, thickness, and weight

I recently came across someone claiming they are xy centimeters tall with a 13 cm wrist circumference, using that to conclude they have a small bone structure.

Is there an actual rule, a specific measurement, or some kind of standardized chart used to determine if a person with a certain height and wrist circumference, forearm length, or upper arm size actually possesses a large or small frame?

And then there is the matter of bone weight... I believe that is determined by measuring bone density? It isn't that I am planning to measure my own bone density, but I am curious.

Why am I asking? Because I am hoping to take these measurements and discover that I actually have a very large (and therefore heavy) bone structure, proving that I am not as overweight as I might seem. 😁

To be clear, I don't mean being 220 lbs; I mean having heavy bones.

In short: how can one truly identify a large versus a small bone structure without relying on subjective estimation?

The only thing you actually need to care about is the bone density scan results. 😉

Everything else? Just look it up whenever you feel like it. 😁

Kenneth Hernandez67 said:The only thing worth your attention here is the bone density scan results.😉

Everything else? Just look it up when you actually need it.😁

Bone density?
Fine. Explain it to me so I don't have to waste my time searching the internet...

I'm just joking about being a hundred pounds; I weigh significantly less than that.

Besides, I don't lose sleep over my weight or body shape. I have much more important things to occupy my mind with than worrying if I seem "bony."
My hands are larger than some guys' hands.
My feet are wide.

And then there's my friend—she's ten centimeters taller than me, yet she wears two sizes smaller than I do and complains about having large feet...

Give me a break. I'm the one with the large feet. I practically have Hobbit feet at this point.

Or is it just my perception?

That’s why I asked about the bones. Pure curiosity.

But seriously, what about that density stuff?

I’m almost afraid to even define what densitometry is, lest some "expert" decides to ban me for being too basic. 😉

But fine, I'll take the risk...

Densitometry is just a scan used to measure bone density, primarily used to diagnose osteoporosis.

Kenneth Hernandez67 said:I'm almost afraid to ask what densitometry actually is, just in case the experts here decide to kick me out. 😉

Well, I'll take the risk...

Densitometry is a scan used to measure bone density, which helps in diagnosing osteoporosis.

That is a perfectly accurate definition! 👏 👏 👏

Nathan Wells45 said:I was just reading this thing where some person claims they're a certain height with a 5-inch wrist circumference and uses that to conclude they don't have a heavy bone structure.

From what I gather—and this is just a rough estimate—people with about a 5-inch wrist are on the small side, 6 inches is pretty average, and 7 inches puts you in the large frame category...

I guess those smaller-framed folks have to stay at a lower body weight to look balanced, whereas the bigger guys can carry a bit more mass and still look fine.

But again, I'm just saying, these are all just ballpark figures. 🙂

restlessmarlin6 said:From what I can gather, people generally fall into categories: 13cm wrists are small, 15cm are average, and 17cm are large...

Those with smaller frames need to keep their weight down to look proportional, whereas those with larger bones can carry more mass and still look fine.

But again, these are just rough estimates. 🙂

I am 5'5" and my wrist circumference is 6.5 inches.

That is definitely a large bone structure. 😁

Thanks for the info.

Kenneth Hernandez67 said:I'm actually terrified to even ask "what on earth is bone density testing?" just in case the medical experts decide to ban me from the forum.😉

I'll take the risk though...

Bone densitometry is simply a scan used to measure bone density, primarily used to diagnose osteoporosis.

Good job. It seems the professionals concur with your definition.

I spent some time browsing the web today looking into densitometry...
For some reason, I had this mental image of someone driving a needle straight into a bone to measure its thickness. Clearly incorrect.
Perhaps I saw it portrayed that way in some movie?
Yes, I recall a scene involving an athlete or maybe a ballerina who needed her bone density checked; when the results were poor, they barred her from training to prevent a fracture or something similar.

Does that hold any water?

Do elite athletes undergo these types of screenings?
The rest of us—the average, lazy Americans—only visit the doctor when we suspect something is actually wrong. But them? Who knows what kind of preventative testing they are running on themselves behind closed doors?

Nathan Wells45 said:I'm about 5'5" and my wrist circumference is 6.5 inches.

Those are definitely thick bones, I mean, there's no doubt about it. 😁

Thanks for sharing that info.

I'm standing at 5'7" myself and my measurement is 6.7 inches. 🙂

Btw, I'm assuming this applies to women? Men usually have slightly different numbers, which makes sense, I guess.

So now I’m genuinely curious about what you all think this actually implies 😁

If I'm following correctly, you're basically allowed to weigh more for your height than people with smaller wrists... lol 😉

By the way... 5'6" and barely 95 lbs, not even counting that one protruding bone 😁 damn it, I can't believe it, I actually went and measured myself 😵🤣

Look, we aren't just talking about someone being a few pounds over their target weight here; I mean we're talking about being below the absolute MINIMUM healthy weight for their height.

Kenneth Hernandez67 said:So now I’m genuinely curious about what exactly you all think that implies.😁

If I’ve grasped this correctly, you’re essentially saying someone can weigh more at their height than those with thinner wrists... lol.😉

For instance...

I remember a friend of mine and I once weighed exactly the same, yet she looked significantly heavier. She was just... rounder than I was.

We were both 155 lbs.

Clearly, a good portion of my weight came from bone density, whereas hers was mostly body fat.

She would have to be lighter for us to actually look the same.

Heh.😁

Can you actually change bone size—like, make them bigger or smaller? I'm talking about once you're already an adult. 🙂