I think I am fat?

Question

My mom and friends say I am not fat. I believe I am. I am nervous that I might start a eating disorder. I am 11, and I don't like how I look. I think I am pretty, but I am 115 and 5'0. Should I just start eating healther? I need help, I don't want to start a eating disorder. Anyone want to send me soe quizs to see if I have an eating disorders

BTW, I hate sports

I like to work out like the tredmill and stuff like that but I hate running. Would running in the rain in the morning by myself be dangerous? Like kidnaps?

Based on the height and weight entered, the BMI is 21.4, placing the BMI-for-age at the 84th percentile for girls aged 11 years 10 months. This child has a healthy weight.

Based on the height and weight entered, the BMI is 21.4, placing the BMI-for-age at the 84th percentile for girls aged 11 years 10 months. This child has a healthy weight.

Answer 1

Hi, I had anorexia when I was younger (I'm 20 now), so I know some of what you're dealing with. I also have a younger sister who's close to your age (she's 13). I hear her worrying about her thighs, and she's very thin. So it's normal to worry about how you look, especially at your age. Your body starts maturing and changing, and it's normal to gain weight as your hips widen. You won't look more fat--you'll just look more mature. But I don't know anyone who doesn't think they're fat at least once in a while! What you should look at to see if you are overweight is your BMI, and that's based on your height and weight. Here's a site that can calculate your BMI (body mass index): http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/Calculator.aspx

When I calculated your BMI, it was 22.5. (The site explains more about this). That number does NOT mean you're fat or overweight. It does mean that you could become overweight if you stayed the same height but gained more weight. They say that just to give people a heads-up. So don't freak out! Eating healthy is always, always good. It sounds like you know that having an eating disorder is not good! Congrats for knowing that. Here's clues that you might have an eating disorder: skipping meals; pretending to eat or lying about eating (when you really didn't eat); throwing up after you've eaten; being obsessed about your weight (to where that's ALL you think about, and you can't think about anything else); eating a whole lot of food in secret and then throwing that all up (bingeing); and your friends and family worrying about your eating/not eating. Just because you feel like you're fat sometimes doesn't mean you have an eating disorder, so don't worry. But it's good to be aware of it.

Eating healthy: you don't need to do extreme diets, because you're growing. Your body needs its food! Here's some good little things to try:
1) Try to drink less soda/coke/coffee. Those drinks (even when they're diet) aren't very healthy: they don't have vitamins or nutrients that your body needs, while they do have a lot of calories! The less you drink, the better. For instance, I just have a coke as a treat, like when I'm eating at a restraunt with friends.
2) Spend less time watching t.v. or doing the computer. Keep track of the hours you spend doing that every day, and make a plan as to how many you think is good to do. For instance, maybe spend one hour watching t.v. and one hour on the computer.
3) Find something that you enjoy doing that's also active. It's not just about eating--it's a lot about keeping your body moving! Is there a sport you enjoy? One you'd like to learn? (Remember, a "sport" doesn't mean official sports--frisbee football totally counts!) Do you like to dance, or want to learn? Ballet, jazz, hip-hop, whatever--it's all fun, and it's all great for your body. Anything you do that keeps your heart pumping is important. Find something like that, and try to do it at least 45 minutes, 3 days a week for starters. Then work your way up! If you can find friends who like to do it with you, it's even more fun! For instance, I taught myself to rollerblade, so I do that, and I use a punching bag and go jogging sometimes. My 13 year-old sister is learning to play tennis, and I want her to teach me so we can play together. There's fun stuff like that to do all over the place, once you start looking!

Don't worry so much about what you eat: just listen to your body. Eat when you're hungry; don't eat when you're not hungry. That's the best diet out there. :) If you still feel worried about your weight or having an eating disorder, ask your mom to take you to see your doc. They have great ideas about what's good to eat and how to stay healthy (both mentally and physically). I'm not just saying that--my docs have come up with some great ideas to help me eat right and feel better about myself!

I really hope that helps. I'm sure you are pretty, and you deserve to feel great about yourself and your body. :) Sounds like you're on the right track: just keep asking for help when you need it, and you'll be fine. :) <3

Oh, just saw that you hate sports. :) Running's great! I wouldn't do it alone in the morning--that could be dangerous, like you were saying. Do you have a gym with a treadmill, like at the YMCA or your school? Or maybe a friend to run with you? I love running too, I always feel really strong and fast when I do! Great exercise too, the best! If you have a big dog, run it around the block--that's what I did with my mom's German Shepherd. :)

Answer 2

I believe that you are too young to be thinking about this sort of thing. Try getting out more and doing things that an 11 year old should do like participating in school sports. Find something that causes you to leave the house. Stop focusing so much on your weight because you may never be happy and end up looking like a walking Halloween costume(skeleton that is) Good luck sweet-pea!

Answer 3

I weigh 112 lbs and am a 5'2. (im 15) I'm going through the same situation, where i think im fat!! (That's cuz i think my thighs are sort of big and the rest of my body is fine) I used to eat a lot of everything, but now i eat a lot of ONLY the healthy foods! (lol) So stop eating a lot of junk food! I exercise in school and sometimes when i turn on my music, I start dancing to my R&B songs! (It's fun and helps you lose weight easier!) I also do lunges! (When i'm climbing on stairs, i skip 2 steps or 1!) Also, drink 6 cups of water everyday. One advice i'll give you is to stop being very obsessed with your weight! Good luck!

Ttry this quiz if you'd like: http://teenadvice.about.com/library/teenquiz/15/bleatingdisorders.htm

Answer 4

Im 14 and 5"5 and weigh about 115 pounds. Dont worry about your weight. Your fine. Your body is going through changes (purberty) You'll grow. I went through this stage when i was your age. Just eat healthy, no junk food. And exercise, run, dance, anything! Doing this now will help you later down the road.

Answer 5

115 pounds is not fat. You should not starve yourself or try to eat less so you will lose weight. That is a healthy weight.

What is Anorexia?

Anorexia is self-imposed starvation. It is a serious, life-threatening disorder which usually stems from underlying emotional causes. Although people with anorexia are obsessed with food, they continually deny their hunger. Anorexia can cause severe medical problems and even lead to death.

Warning Signs of Anorexia

People with anorexia may exhibit some – though perhaps not all – of these signs. The person:

Is thin and keeps getting thinner, losing 15% or more of their ideal body weight
Continues to diet or restrict foods even though he/she is not overweight
Has a distorted body image – feels fat even when he/she is thin
Is preoccupied with food, calories, nutrition or cooking
Denies that they are hungry
Exercises obsessively
Weighs themselves frequently
Complains about feeling bloated or nauseated even when they eat normal – or less than normal – quantities of food
Loses their hair or begins to experience thinning hair
Feels cold even though the temperature is normal
Stops menstruating (for females)

Answer 6

at 11 you might have a bit of a tummy...this is normal...many young girls grow out around the middle before they go through puberty and grow up. you sound like a normal healthy height and weight. yes you should try eating healthy but not just to stay slim, its also good for the rest of your body and will help keep you halt the rest of your life. eating healthy (lots of fruits vegetables and whole grains) can help prevent certain types of cancer, it can prevent getting a certain type of diabetes, it can help prevent heart disease, high cholesterol, clogged arteries, and a whole lot of other problems. i don't like sports either, so i walk, or a do something that keeps me moving for 15-20 minutes a day it doesn't have to be a sport, it could be as simple as walking through the neighborhood, or dancing to your favorite music in your room, or walking to the grocery store.

Answer 7

Crissyangel, you are growing up way too fast hon. I read some of your other questions and answers. I have a daughter who is also 11 and I would be concerned if she answered/asked the questions you do.

You need to have a long talk with your mom. It would take courage, but you should show her your Yahoo Q&A. You, little miss, need a mom right now more than you know. A big hug to you!

Answer 8

Okay, guess what? My daughter is kind of in the same boat. 5'2" and 125 lbs. NOT FAT!!! She is very popular and has a lot of friends. She is in 10th grade. You can eat healthier for your future and try to limit sweets, but don't try to give it up entirely, that's NOT Fun at all!!! You should just be having fun. She always has guys callin her... You don't have an eating disorder and kid's should worry less and have more fun. Be a kid, don't try to grow up so fast. It's not all it seems...

Answer 9

Young lady just stay active and stop worrying about your weight. You are still growing. Listen to mom advice. Ask your mom to take you to the doctor if you need to. If you take up any kind of sport and stay away from the couch and TV, you will be fine. Be your self not the Hollywood elite who are obsessed about their looks and weight.

Answer 10

11??? oh my god you dont need to worry about that rubbish at your age! perhaps they just mean to start excercising to stay healthy because kids these days are god awfully overweight. Kids need to get up and run around.

At 5'0" and 115lbs your BMI is only 22.5 thats so normal. Just stay active and eat your fruits & veggies and you'll be just fine!