What would be an anorexic weight for me? Is that possible?

Hello! I'm a girl btw.

I don't think that I am anorexic because I don't want to lose weight or become a smaller dress size. I am a fussy eater but that's only because I don't like many foods. I eat what I need to for me and when I am hungry I will eat and I never eat any light or low fat products as I need to build up a bit and they taste disgusting anyway to me. I eat smaller portions and less than alot of ppl but I still have a healthy balanced diet in what I eat and I have vitamin supplements and an iron tonic to help too. I am happy with the dress size that I am etc as mentioned but I am beginning to get a little worried.

Me and my brother are both underweight and his weight is catching up with mine, which is worrying me as he is 2 years younger than me and underweight too. I can basically see him overtaking me in his weight come Christmas. I am 5ft 9" and weigh 7st 5 pounds. I used to be alot nearer to 8st but I lost alot of weight from an operation because of all the anaesthetics that I had, and then before I could put all that weight that I lost back on again, I was really ill, and every time that I am ill, colds aside, I always lose a little bit of weight. I haven't managed to gain any weight since then, that was about several months ago. I am worried about my brother overtaking my weight at Christmas, which looks very likely, especially as he eats more than I do, does more exercise than I do- I do a fair amount, and eats healthily as well. Also for some weird reason, I always lose a few pounds over Christmas. This is weird because everyone else puts on weight from Christmas unless they are on a diet, which I'm not as I eat more around Christmas time. :confused:

Anyway, I read these 2 stories on these girls with anorexia nervosa and the common weight from what I have gathered to be anorexic is 7 stones or under. So my weight isn't in that category then is it? But then this surely varies with height? So do you know whether my weight would be classed as an anorexic weight even though I am not anorexic? Because just because someone has a weight that could equate out to a weight of an anorexic, doesn't mean that they are anorexic. I am 17years old btw.

And please no mean replies or digs.

Reply 1

Alewhey

Don't take this advice too seriously but just from 5 minutes clicking around the web, it appears that a BMI (google it) of less than 17.5 (or in some places 18 or even 20) can be indicative anorexia.

I calculate your BMI to be 15.2 which seems very low... worryingly low. Make of that what you will. Might be worth bearing in mind that very few people who have an eating disorder will admit it.

Reply 2

*titanium*

Anorexia isnt a certain weight, its an eating disorder.

Reply 3

friendsfreak88

Yes Anorexia is a mental illness and being a low weight is only one physical symptom.

You do need to gain weight though I think as that bmi is not really high enough for your body to be functioning entirely normally I don't think. Try to increase your consumption of food gradually and do it healthily.

Also at your low weight you relaly should not be exercising at all as your body isn't strong enough to cope with it. When you have gained some weight you can introduce exercise again though gradually.

Reply 4

PurpleO

I'm 5'10 and 11st, and quite skinny (I'm also a girl btw). I think you should go get yourself checked out.

Reply 5

guccilittlepiggy

i agree with ff88 but i think you need to see a doctor about how to gain weight

Reply 6

MissHero

Being underweight doesn't mean you're anorexic.

Since you mentioned having operations and being ill a few times, perhaps you can speak to the doctor if you're worried about your weight - if they think it is an issue they might be able to help you find a diet that will build you up a bit.

Don't worry about your brother overtaking you! 15 year old boys grow very fast, I should know, I have a brother than same age and he's much bigger/taller than me (I'm 19), it's only natural. It does concern me a bit that you seem to be comparing yourself to him though, because you're at very different stages of growth, so really it is incomparable.

Reply 7

beanie

If you are restricting your food intake, then yes, your weight could indicate an eating disorder. But if you are eating fine, and are merely unable to put on weight then no, you don't have an ED. There aren't any definitive weights for anorexia, one person can be 7 stone and have an eating disorder, and another person might be perfectly healthy at that weight. Yes, 7 stones is usually used as a guide but it doesn't mean that as soon as you hit 6st 14lbs you are automatically classed as anorexic.

Ask your mum or other female relatives what kind of figure they had at your age, as me and my female friends are, apparently, spitting images of our mothers when they were 18. I'm pratically the same height, weight, bra and clothes sizes as my mum was when she was my age, and she still is that size. She is 5ft 7' and she weighs 8 stone, the doctor is always trying to find ways to get her to put on weight but she is completley healthy and finds it impossible to put on weight and retain it, her body is incapable of doing that however hard she tries. If you're similar to other family members then it is probably genetic.

Again, don't worry about your brother- he is a guy, he will most probably end up taller and heavier than you. My little brother is 12, I'm 18, and we are exactly the same height.

Reply 8

Sianey

I'm 5"8' and weigh about 8 and a half stone, and people have commented that I look anorexic, so I would say its likely you're too light. I'd recommend seeing your doctor about your weight.

Do you have periods? Cos if not thats a good indicator you're far too light.

Reply 9

*Liana*

I'm 5'8" and weigh about the same, probably a couple of pounds more, than the OP. This makes my BMI on the low side, but I'm perfectly healthy (I had to get vaccines at the doctor's recently, the nurse weighed me, and made no comments about being underweight or needing to gain weight). I eat normal portions, I eat when I'm hungry, I don't diet. BMI, while it can be a rough guide to over- or underweight, isn't the be-all-and-end-all, and some people, like beanie said, just don't put on weight.

That said, if it's worrying you, you might want to talk to your GP, if only to check that you're getting a balanced diet and all the energy you need.

Reply 10

la fille danse

Argh.

There is no such thing as an "anorexic weight." Anorexia is an eating disorder. Not a weight.

By your criteria, someone who's 4'10" and 7 stones would automatically be deemed anorexic. It goes against all common sense.