Am I anorexic if I think I'm fat at 60 pounds, 4"11, and I eat 3 meals a day (1,400 calories)?

Question

I have a stomach, and a big one, but I can see my ribs.

I am 14 years old.

Answer 1

2nd UPDATE: Okay, now I'm just pissed. I went back and read your list of questions. All of them are a variation on this theme. However, I found a very interesting little tidbit. Your 2nd question is: "AM I fat or skinny? I am 70 pounds, 5"1, and 14 years old, oh, and I'm a girl."

So, which is it? 5'1" and 70 lbs. or 4'11" and 60 lbs.? You mysteriously lost 2 inches and 10 lbs. in a matter of weeks. Pretty impressive.

Do us a favor and stop wasting the time and energy of well-intentioned people.

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First of all, you're eating 3 meals a day. By definition, you are not anorexic. 2nd, I find it hard to believe (regardless of your age and height) that you weigh only 60 lbs. That is extremely low weight. At your age and height (depending on bone structure), I'd think you'd weigh somewhere in the neighborhood of 80 - 85 lbs. And if you are as you describe, someone who has a "big stomach" but can see your ribs, you would more likely be malnourished. But at 1400 calories a day, I highly doubt that's the case.

Be that as it may, the fact that you think you're fat at either weight is what concerns me. If you continue to think that way and obsess about your weight, you very well could begin diet and exercise habits that could lead to anorexia. Anorexia nervosa is a serious condition that's not only physical, but psychological, as well. One of the hallmarks of anorexia is body dysmorphia...or put in other words, warped body image. Anorexics are incapable of seeing themselves as they truly are.

Please, please, PLEASE stop reading the magazines that tell you you should look a certain way. If need be, get some help. Talk to your parents or a school counselor who can help you develop a healthy self-image. Don't allow this to get out of control and throw you into a life of misery and obsession. My oldest sister was anorexic and bulimic for more than half her life. She died at a way-too young age as result of her eating disorder. Don't let it happen to you.

UPDATE: I just looked at your picture. Honey, there is no way on God's green earth you weigh 60 lbs. When I was 14, I weighed 73 lbs. and was smaller than you. It was purely genetics. But I have to add that you do NOT have a big stomach! You barely have a tummy at all ! You look healthy and fit. Keep eating your 1400 calories a day, stay active and you will never have a weight problem. STOP OBSESSING! Talk to your doctor...s/he will tell you what is a healthy weight for your age, height and bone structure.

Answer 2

Well, even if technically you are not, you are certainly close enough to need to worry and to carefully watch your behavior over the years.

4'11" and 60 pounds is actually pretty skinny. 1,400 calories a day in three meals seems a might bit sparse for each meal. cindy loo might be on to something in that given the sparse nature of your caloric intake and having no idea what food makes up those calories, you could actually be suffering from malnutrition. Odd-seeming it may be, but the stomach distends during malnutrition so being very skinny yet having a bulging stomach might be exactly that. It would take your diet being deficient in a few vitamins and minerals and maybe more physical activity that 1,400 calories supports, but it could be.

If not, then your description of your stomach might be suspect and the poor judgment about its size a further indicator that you are very close to tipping into the dangerous behaviors associated with anorexia.

Being able to see your ribs, by itself, is not so far from the usual to be worrisome. By itself. But consider other body parts. Do your hip bones protrude unusually at your waist level compared to other 14yo's you see? Do your thighs, especially looked at sideways sitting on the front edge of a chair seem to have little or no curve under them coming from the chair toward your knees? If so, ask your parents if you can talk to a doctor.

When you do, be sure to tell the truth about your diet. Not just how many calories, but (honestly) give (honestly) several typical days' worth of intake (honestly) and let the doctor figure out the calories and other nutrients. Be sure to accurately describe your daily physical routines as well. Lie to the doctor and you'll get garbage advice.

It seems to me you should be a minimum of 80 pounds at 4'11" to seem healthy though tiny. I'm remembering every Filipina I ever saw of about that size and the healthy ones were always 80-90 pounds at less than 5' if they had a minimal "softness" in their appearance. So I do worry about why you are at 60 pounds...

Answer 3

The answer to this depends on your age and health status. You can actually get a "a big stomach," from starving. If you are eating 1400 calories a day - but burning more than that through activity, then you are going to grow thinner. On the other hand, if you are 10 or 11 years old - you may be OK. For an adult, 60 pounds at 4'11 is too thin.

Weight is simply a reflection of calorie input, versus output - over time. So without more information, I would suggest you talk to your doctor.

Answer 4

Definitely time to talk to your parents about getting help. Your stomach is not big - it is distended - more likely from malnourishment. Ever see the commercials of starving children in developing countries? Real thin - distended stomach. A doctor can diagnose if you are anorexic and treatment is most effective when identified and worked on at an early age.

Answer 5

60 pounds at 14!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's how much a little kid should weigh! Please get some help. If you eat 1400 calories a day, you're pretty good, so I don't think you're anorexic, but go to a doctor immediately to try and put some weight on you. You're really underweight. You need to get some help from a doctor.

Answer 6

Sweetie ur compeletely fine u could even gain a couple of pounds or more What u really need to do is Look in the mirror and tell urself that u are beautiful because every woman is beautiful not matter there size or weight it's what's inside that really counts " Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

Answer 7

What Is Behind Eating Disorders? :
- When Food Is Your Enemy
- Anorexia and Bulimia --The Facts, the Dangers
- What Causes Eating Disorders?
- Eating Disorders--What Can Help?
http://watchtower.org/library/g/1999/1/22/article_01.htm

Another possibility?:

Protect Yourself From Parasites!
- Prevention Better Then Cure
http://watchtower.org/library/g/1999/5/22a/article_01.htm

Answer 8

60 pounds is incredibly small.

I was once 90 pounds at around that same height and age, and I was underweight. It's normal for girls to weigh more than guys, so since you're 30 pounds lighter than I was, I think it is a problem.

Please get some medical help. You need to eat more. You definitely aren't fat, so don't think you are.

God bless.

Answer 9

60 pounds at 4'11" seems unhealthily skinny. anorexia has to do with behaviors and body image and not weight only. You probably should have a higher caloric intake, especially since youa re below weight. Really, you should talk with a doctor and s/he can help you figure out the right course of action if there is some sort of problem.

Answer 10

oh poor girl, honey i think u might be, 4ft11 and 14. omg. go to a doc. yes u need to. i am 14,and i have the same prob but taller and a few pounds heavier. i have a lil stomach though with ribs popping out. yes i have been to my doc and he said i need to eat more! u need to gain weight or to a specialist. i am worried about u and i dont even know u, hope ive helped

smart blonde