MovieChat Forums > Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead (2014) Discussion > What accounts for the height difference?

What accounts for the height difference?

posted 12 years ago by toddtolnai
3 replies | jump to latest

I noticed a stark difference in height between Joe and Phil when Phil first started his fast and when the movie ended and we see the two of them standing in front of each other. Did anyone else notice this? How can this be explained? Clearly Phil did not lose bone mass during his transition o_O

Check out the link for comparison pictures.

https://plus.google.com/photos/110619629395401826517/albums/5798717742944651345

[–] footinmouth08 12 years ago

Compression of the spine due to inactivity and poor posture. Plus the huge gut pulls on your back and gives a permanent slouching position.

[–] toddtolnai 12 years ago

Yeah but he was taller when he was heavier (Phil, I mean). Then, as he lost weight he got shorter (as the pictures indicate). As you have explained it, it would be if the reverse had happened.

[–] luxerus 11 years ago

He probably lost some bone mass (and muscle mass) along the way. A weak and petite person couldn't carry that much weight, so the body does adapt to it to some degree, and some of that adaptation is lost once the weight is lost.