Discuss matters related to personal health and relationships in this forum. However, please keep it sensible and remember that people of all ages can view these forums. Remember, all advice is unprofessional.
I'm 17, 5'8 male and weigh about 8 1/2 stone. My parents think that I'm really underweight, and they're worried it'll cause illness, yet I'm just scared to eat. Everywhere in the media, you see things like FAT BRITIAN, and how the country is currently in an obesity epidemic, and that makes me scared to put weight on, so I feel it's just easier to remain 8 1/2 stone so then if I do happen to put weight on at any one point, I'll only be pushed back up into ideal weight, and not over weight. Yes, I know that's bad, maybe somewhat dangerous philopsophy, yet I can't get over it. I'm really scared about putting on any weight, so I just eat enough to maintain 8 1/2 stone. I can see how worried my parents are about it and they got me to go to the doctor, who basially said that I was underweight for my height, sex and age and said I need to increase my food intake, she also refered me to a psycologist, which has had some mild success, but I find it really hard opening to a psychologist so everytime I go I just act as if everythings normal and I don't really have any problems, which I far from the truth.
I'm really scared of looking all fat and ugly, so I just feel it's safer to stay a bit underweight, and there seems to be such a barrier for me to put on weight, which I know I need to eventually.
You'd look ugly if you're overly skinny, anyway - worse than what you'd look of you were morbidly obese. Just eat a bit more here and there, it won't hurt you - or, get a second opinion on your body. See if anyone else thinks you're skinny.
Could just be an insecurity issue like I was a short while ago.
if you think like that, you will always be uneasy.
a perfectly normal "weight" for a 17-year-old is 12 stone. personally, i weigh 13.5 stone (at my last weighing 2 months ago), and it doesn't matter how light or heavy you are, it's about the way you feel, and as long as you're in reasonable shape, it doesn't make a difference.
it is better to be healthy and active, whether you are underweight/obese or not, than to be constantly worrying.
This may not have total relevance but i gave up smoking about 5 months ago and until now my weight has ballooned up because i've eaten more than needed to satisfy cravings... but the funny thing is, i look better with the extra weight on. My boyfriend has commented on how much healthier i look (i wasn't skinny before just average). I just feel more comfortable in my own skin tbh so I wouldn't worry about being obese... that would take a LOT of extra food...
Food is your friend not your enemy... just make sure you don't over-do it that's all.
I really don't think you anything to worry about, at all. Honestly, don't stress over it. I'm 16, a few inches taller, and a few pounds heavier, and I'm perfectly healthy. Sure, I know people say it's really thin, but personally I don't think it's a problem. If you really want to put on some weight, do it slowly, and not by eating junk food or anything. Healthy fats and protein, plus some muscle building exercises.
I have a friend like you who was scared of putting on weight, she developed depression and an eating disorder and was miserable. after therapy etc shes now back to a normal weight and is much happier in herself because shes not obsessed with the way she looks and can enjoy life. Equally i have a friend who is naturally skinny and hates it. she desperately wants to put on weight and feels unattractive. incidentally in my opinion and the opinion of many of my male friends, curvy girls and girls with a bit of weight on them are much more attractive. curves are the way to go. Think of all the famous sex symbols - Marilyn Monroe and Nigella Lawson; both these women have curvy and full figures. I know its hard with all the pressure nowadays but you really need to try to avoid thinking too much about it and just stay a healthy weight. once you let go and let someone love you for who you are you'll feel much better and more confident in yourself. take care.
and of course except with curvy and female sex symbol part - what i said about eating disorders and feeling confident etc still stands. Many girls like guys to be guys and have figures that represent that....
it is generally better to be overweight than underweight. Both have a dreadful effect on your aesthetic appearance, but being underweight leads to slow organ failure and is extremely unpleasant in the long run, being overweight causes a nice quick heart-attack. Both are bad, but being overweight is the lesser of 2 evils.
You sound like you have, or are experiencing the early signs of anorexia, it's a bit blunt, but it's true. You really need to talk to a psychologist about it, they don't judge you, chances are the one that you have seen already understands what's going on better than you do, they just need you to open up so they can help with it.
It may also help to know exactly how much you should be eating and how much you are eating. It is very popular for dieters and may be equally useful in your situation.
go to: http://www.thecolumn.org/how-many-ca...-do-i-need.asp and calculate your daily calorie needs. Now, start counting up how many calories you actually eat, be totally honest and don't guess, religiously look at the back of packets. Going 500 kcal either way a day will make you lose/gain 0.5 kg a week, 1000kcal is 1 kg gain/loss a week. This knowledge means that you know how much to eat to gain weight at your own pace, and when you get there you can stop by eating your daily calorific needs again (remember to recalculate with your new weight!).
DISCLAIMER: everyone is different, if you're gaining too much/too little then just adjust your calories by a 100/200 a week until it is right.
by putting on a bit of weight doesn't mean you'll become obese.. you're clearly a bit underweight (i weigh a bit more than that and i'm 5ft 5, and im a girl!!), and in the long run maintaining this ''underweight-ness'' can be unhealthy.
no harm in eating a bit more, as long as you exercise.. coz the weight will not be fat but muscle.
and to be fair skinny guys ain't very attractive a litlte bit of muscle does no harm.
go see a doctor or a nuitritionist. ask whats up, and whether your BMI and everything is all ok. if its in the right zones then thats all ok. if its not then they will advise you what to eat and stuff.
Discuss matters related to personal health and relationships in this forum. However, please keep it sensible and remember that people of all ages can view these forums. Remember, all advice is unprofessional.
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I'm scared of putting on too much weight...
Just eat a bit more here and there, it won't hurt you - or, get a second opinion on your body. See if anyone else thinks you're skinny.
a litlte bit of muscle does no harm.
