Wed Nov 13 11:04:51 UTC 2024: ## Astronaut Sunita Williams Addresses Rumors About Her Health in Space
**Houston, TX** – Astronaut Sunita Williams, currently on a mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), has addressed concerns about her physical condition in a video message released by NASA. The video comes after recent reports and speculation regarding Williams’ appearance, which some observers described as “gaunt” after over 150 days in space.
Williams dismissed the rumors, stating that she has actually gained muscle mass due to the rigorous exercise regime required in space. “My thighs and butt are a little bigger…we do a lot of squats,” she explained in the video.
The astronaut attributed her altered appearance to “fluid shift,” a common phenomenon in space that redistributes body fluids, often leading to puffy faces and thinner legs.
While acknowledging the challenge of maintaining a high-calorie diet in space, Williams declined to divulge specific details about her caloric intake.
NASA previously acknowledged the unique challenges women face in space, including greater blood plasma loss, which can accelerate metabolism and lead to muscle depletion.
Williams and her crewmate Barry Wilmore are expected to remain on the ISS until February 2025, awaiting a safe return trip on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon after Boeing’s spacecraft was deemed unsafe.
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