'My thighs are a little bit...': NASA's Sunita Williams breaks silence on frightening weight loss video from space
Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Astronaut's Silence Broken
Sunita Williams, NASA astronaut stranded on the ISS, finally addressed health concerns in a video from space, putting an end to swirling rumors about her physical condition.
Health Concerns Arise
Health experts and NASA insiders recently raised alarms over Williams’ visibly 'gaunt' appearance after over 150 days in space, sparking fears of rapid weight loss.
Rumor Rebuttal
Williams dismissed the rumors in a NASA-released video, stating she has actually gained muscle. “My thighs and butt are a little bigger…we do a lot of squats,” she explained.
Fluid Shift Mystery
Williams attributed her altered appearance to “fluid shift,” a space phenomenon that redistributes body fluids, sometimes giving astronauts puffy faces and thinner legs.
Weight-Loss Fears
NASA’s struggle to stabilize her weight was reported by an anonymous NASA source to the New York Post, citing Williams’ difficulty in keeping up with the high-calorie diet required on the ISS.
Medical Insight
Pulmonologist Dr. Vinay Gupta told DailyMail.com that, although Williams' life isn’t in immediate danger, her thin appearance is concerning, pointing to possible health stresses from her extended stay.
ISS Food Regimen
In her video, Williams shared insights about her meals, mentioning a Turkish fish stew with olives and rice, but declined to give details on her calorie intake.
Female Astronauts’ Challenges
NASA’s 2014 study revealed that women face unique challenges in space, including greater blood plasma loss, which can increase metabolism and contribute to muscle depletion.
Return Timeline Set
Williams and crewmate Barry Wilmore are expected to remain in space until February 2025, awaiting a safe return trip on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon after Boeing’s faulty spacecraft was deemed unsafe.