Can't someone be very thin and NOT have a eating disorder?

Question

I just asked a question in another section a minute ago, mentioning the fact that I was 106 lbs, size 0 and half the answers I received were people insisting I had an eating disorder, even after I explained to them that I likely have an overactive thyroid and had tried to gain weight. It wasn't even a health question, I was asking about clothing sizes. Yes, I am noticeably thin, but I feel fine, and have no health concerns except for some minor symptoms associated with my thyroid. I appreciate the concern and I know they think they are being helpful, but I get annoyed when people keep telling me I must have an eating disorder.

I'm 22 , 5'5 and106 lbs, never weighed more than 110 lbs, and have never had any health concerns regarding my weight. Is it really that bad, or do people just not believe that anyone can be that thin without having an eating disorder?

Answer 1

Yes of course. ESPECIALLY if you have an overactive thyroid, it's basically a medical condition for you. I know exactly how you feel. Everyone is so paranoid these days because of all the sensationalist magazine reports about anorexia. People are so gullible, they'll buy whatever the media shovels at them.

There's just a huge backlash right now against thin people, and it's unfair. I really could care less about how other people look, and I usually don't even think about or notice if someone is overweight. Thin people have become acceptable targets for unwanted and negative comments about their appearance.

All I hear is "real women have curves", "I like a girl with meat on her bones", "I don't want to worry that I'm going to break her in half", "someone give her a sandwich", "I don't want someone that looks like a 12 year old boy", "She can eat whatever, she's just going to throw it all up later" etc. This is getting ridiculous!

The majority of America is overweight and honestly think about how many very thin people you see on a daily basis. I too am very thin for my height and it is a rare occasion for me to see someone with the same kind of body type as myself. I guess naturally thin people are becoming like unicorns or something, just some creature that people have heard about but have never seen.

These people haven't even seen you so how would they know if you are healthy? There are millions of overweight people out there that have an unhealthy relationship with food, and that in itself is an eating disorder. They probably have to watch every single thing they put in their mouth, so they don't understand how some people just don't have to do that. They should grow a brain and stop picking on you.

Answer 2

I think you should try to gain some weight if possible. I believe that you can be that small without having an eating disorder, but I don't think a mere 106 pounds is healthy (on the BMI calculator, I think your weight would be considered underweight).

My mom had an overactive thyroid. Even though she was 5'9," she never weighed more than 125-130 pounds (except when she was having my sister and me; she was probably on the 120-side before she had us). I will warn you, if you do have an overactive thyroid, you may have to eventually have it burned out to avoid getting heart problems; medicines won't work. My mom started gaining weight and is about 165 now that her thyroid was burned out, but at least that is better than being dead.

Answer 3

Well, if you have a thyroid disorder, that IS a health problem. Most people think of eating disorders first, but a thyroid problem can be just as dangerous. There are very few people who are that thin and truly healthy. Being unable to gain weight even when you try is a sign that you need to get checked out. If a doctor says you're ok, then tell people to go screw themselves.

Answer 4

All through high school I weighed no more than 80LBs. I have a naturally high metabolism. I never had any real health problems...other than the fact that I had to eat constantly because of my metabolism. I was 5'0 and weighed about 70LBs when I graduated highschool. But all through highschool at least one person a year would sit down and eat lunch with me and see all the food I had and ask me "Are you anorexic?" I'd tell them no. They'd say, "are you sure?" I'd just tell them to follow me after lunch if they were so concerned and see where I go. I always went straight to class, people always thought I had an eating disorder. So, my answer is of course you can be naturally very thin and not weigh a lot. Look at Kira Knightly, she's naturally thin.

Answer 5

I believe you do not have an eating disorder, however, if you have an overactive thyroid, you may have to have it treated in the future. Excess thyroid hormone can cause osteoporosis, heart problems and even death.

Thyroid storm (thyroid crisis) is a potentially life-threatening condition for people with hyperthyroidism. Thyroid storm happens when your thyroid gland suddenly releases large amounts of thyroid hormone in a short period of time. If you have thyroid storm, you will need emergency medical treatment.

Thyroid storm is more likely to develop when a person has a serious health problem in addition to hyperthyroidism.

Answer 6

Yes, I have an eating disorder, and I honestly can't tell if I'm thin or fat anymore (I feel fat, and I look fat to myself, but I'm underweight). I have ED-NOS- basically, I have purging-type Anorexia Nervosa but sometimes fluctuate above the required weight and still get my period due to being on birth control.

Answer 7

Eating disorders are a passing fad these days. It's kinda like if your not smiling your depressed -- ridiculous. Some people have a high metabolism, some have hyperthyroid syndrome, some are just naturally thin. Don't listen to people who are ignorant of who you are. If close friends start to notice you eating less, dark circles, fatigue etc. then you have something to worry about. -- Just being thin isn't enough to diagnose someone.

Answer 8

The simple answer to your question is Yes.
You can be very thin and not have an eating disorder. Different people have different metabolic rates. Some people need more calories than others due to lifestyle choices, age, and exercise...
The only people who think you have to have an eating disorder to be thin....


are fat people.

Answer 9

most folks don't understand thyroid problems...so they simply assume someone as thin as you are has an eating disorder. It is very short sighted on their part. But as long as you are taking the proper medications and eating a healthy balanced diet, I would tend to ignore the ignorant folks.

Answer 10

No, it's perfectly fine. If you never weighed more than 110, your body may have just found its comfort zone. As long as you feel fine, eat well and take care of your thyroid, you'll be perfectly healthy. Treasure your body and ignore the naysayers; they may just be jealous.