Stranded Sunita Williams dismisses severe weight loss rumours, says she feels ‘healthier than ever’ | – Times of India

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, currently extending her stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), has addressed growing concerns about her health following speculation sparked by recent images. The photos showed Williams looking thinner, leading to rumours regarding her well-being during the prolonged mission.
In response, Williams clarified that the appearance of weight loss is due to common “fluid shifts” in the body caused by microgravity, rather than any health decline. Despite tabloid claims, Williams reassured the public that she is in excellent condition, crediting her rigorous exercise routine for maintaining her physical health.
NASA, too, confirmed that all astronauts undergo regular health evaluations, ensuring their well-being during extended space missions. Williams’ comments aimed to quell growing concerns and emphasise her ongoing fitness and health in space.

Sunita Williams clarifies her health status from the ISS

In an interview from the ISS with New England Sports Network on November 12, Williams responded directly to concerns about her appearance, stating, “I’m the same weight that I was when I got up here.” She emphasised that her health remains stable and pointed to her rigorous daily exercise routine as a key factor in maintaining her physical condition.
To counteract the effects of microgravity on muscle and bone density, Williams utilises the ISS’s specialised fitness equipment, including a treadmill, stationary bike, and resistance machines. “Weightlifting… has definitely changed me. My thighs are a little bit bigger, my butt is a little bit bigger,” she said with a smile, highlighting how her fitness routine has kept her strong throughout the mission.
Williams also explained that weightlessness causes bodily fluids to shift upward, which can create a slimmer, sometimes gaunt look, particularly in the face. Reassuring the public, she emphasised that she feels “healthier than ever” and that her legs and glutes have even grown stronger due to the regular exercise. NASA echoed her statements, confirming that all astronauts aboard the ISS undergo routine health evaluations to ensure they remain in good physical condition.

NASA’s research on fluid shifts in space

NASA has long been investigating the effects of microgravity on the human body, particularly the upward fluid shift that occurs in space. According to an official release, the space agency has been studying how this shift contributes to increased intracranial pressure and decreased visual capacity in astronauts. This shift is often seen as swelling in the retina, which is a key part of the visual system. These changes are a common concern for astronauts during extended missions in low gravity.
Williams reiterated the impact of these fluid shifts on her body, acknowledging that they affect astronauts differently. Despite these shifts, she has maintained her health and physical fitness throughout her extended stay in space, having even “bulked up” during her mission.

Williams and Butch’s extended mission due to Starliner malfunction

Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore arrived at the ISS in June as part of Boeing’s historic Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT). Originally scheduled to be a 10-day mission, their stay was extended after a malfunction in the Starliner capsule’s thrusters. Further complications led to NASA’s decision to return the capsule without a crew in September.
Williams and Wilmore’s extended mission is now slated to end with a return in February 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, accompanied by Crew-9 astronauts Nick Hague of NASA and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
Also Read | NASA alert! ‘God of Chaos’ asteroid approaching Earth on November 13 sparks worldwide concern