Concerned about my friend's health...read on (very important)?

Question

My friend and I are both 18 years old. We are both the same height 5'6" and the same weight between 125 and 130 lbs. The problem is that my friend is constantly concerned about her weight. She calls herself fat and is constantly startind new diets and then quiting them again. She asks my weight often and if I am even a pound heavier than her she says she needs to go on a diet. I think that my friend and I are both an ideal weight and I feel that she may develop a eating disorder. Am I right to be worrying about this? and should I consult some?

Answer 1

Unfortunately I have had many friends with eating disorders, some much more serious than others. Some will listen to advice and some only listen to the voices in their heads telling them that they are fat.

If you think that your friend is still at a point where you can talk some sense into her tell her something along the lines of...

"Look, you are my friend and I care about you a lot. It really upsets me that you can't see how beautiful you are. It makes me feel awkward that you seem to have developed some competitiveness about being the slimmest. Life's too short to worry about dieting and being thin. Just be healthy and enjoy life."

If you think that she is resorting to skipping meals or making herself sick then you need to speak to her parents or get her to speak to a doctor or counselor asap.

You need to also work out why she wants to be thin; does she feel unattractive and have generally low esteem? Has she grown up in a home where the mum always diets and has weighing scales around the house? I have friends with mothers who are like this and comments like "honey, you've put on weight" slowly eat away at them. Are there other areas of her life that she feels she has no control of and uses her food intake as a method of feeling in control of one area of her life? There may be a few reasons but by getting to the root of the problem you are more likely to find a solution.

I hope some of this helps.

Answer 2

You have the right to worry. ANd you should talk to her and convince her to talk to a pysologist. OR if she refuses then tell her that you will tell her parents. Make sure she eats regular and doesnt over exercise. And make sure she doesnt use the bathromm after each meal. And if is still soooooooo concerned tell her to go on a diet that is healthy and easy to stick to. Like have her eat milk an ceral for lunch. Only only bowl. For lunch have a salad with one dressing as dip. And for dinner have a meat and vegtables. And going on this diet doesnt mean you have to do it everyday one or two can be skipped. Like having pizza every once in a while.

Answer 3

For your age height and weight your are both perfect! Teenagers are also completely obsessed about their bodies. Try to talk to her first and find out what she thinks is imperfect about her body, then turn it into a session of either "its okay to have curvy hips" and "a little junk in trunk", if she's still saying she's fat than see if she thinks there's a problem, she'll commend you for being a concerned friend... don't be afraid to tell her.

Answer 4

Yes she could develop an eating disorder. You are both a good weight. Maybe call a teen help line and see what they say.

Answer 5

All teens are concerned about weight since that is all you see on TV and in mags. These models are unhealthy chics that do drugs and vomit after eating to keep that shape. It is unrealistic for anyone wanting to be healthy to follow that behavior. Try telling her how great she looks and use positive reinforcement here. If she starts vomiting after eating, then be concerned.

Answer 6

hi,u could try confronting your friend,in a nice way.

or you cud speak with her parents.about ur concern.

well before gets too late.