If not eating causes weight gain, how come those with anorexia are so deadly thin?

Question

I've been told skipping meals makes your body store more fat.

How come anorexic people are so skinny?

Answer 1

Anorexia causes muscle loss... that is partially why those with the disease are so thin. Not eating slows your metabolism and causes your body to not burn off fat. After your body depletes its muscles, it goes at the fat. That's why people with anorexia must be anorexic for a while before they look so "deadly thin" and unhealthy.

Answer 2

You body is very smart. If you stop eating on a regular basis or skipping meals your body will begin to store fat and reduce metabolism. This is so your body can maintain proper function when starved. However, once all your stored fat is used up your body will search for sources of nutrients and energy. The first place it will go is muscle tissue. Your body will break down muscle tissue to use it as energy or fuel for survival. Review def of anorexia nervosa, it can be more than just not eating. If you want to loose weight start a simple exercise routine, don't skip meals or not eat at all.

Answer 3

Not eating causes weight loss, not weight gain. Anorexics starve themselves, eating WAY less than needed to even maintain. When you don't eat, the metabolism slows down, in attempt to hold onto body fat and calories to keep your organs functioning. Eventually the body gets so screwed up that even a day when they eat more than their body is used to, it causes a gain. Skipping meals would cause you to "gain weight" because the metabolism slows down every 2 hours, which is why the rule is to eat something small every 2 hours. If you don't, you may feel more hungry later and OVER eat.. also leading to weight gain.

Answer 4

They look skinny but in fact they are not. Because they don't eat they go into a catabolic state (muscle wasting). This basically means they lose muscle but they will hold fat. If you took a bodyfat test the results would be a high percentage of bodyfat. This is why skipping meals is not a good idea and will make you fatter. You may not get fatter in the traditional sense of gaining weight but because you lose muscle your muscle to fat ratio changes and this is where the "more fat" comes in.

Answer 5

excessive exercise as well and the body don't get what it needs and it feeds off the fat (if any) and the Muscles in your body it can also make your bones brittle as well. its not safe at all to do this it can lead to death and other mental problems if the person is young.

Answer 6

Because eventually, if you go without food long enough, your body will burn off the fat and you will get skinny.

Answer 7

because most have a complete lack of muscle mass. most anorexics have high body fat percentages they are not lean.