Body Weight - What's Normal? / Question
Published: August 3, 2000
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am a 14-year-old female and I think that I am fat. All my friends say that I am just imagining it, and I take after my mom, being skinny. But I don't believe them; sometimes I go with eating a meal in a day, and sometimes 2. One time I went a whole day without eating. And the next day I felt like I accomplished something. But as soon as I ate something else, I felt guilty. I am 5'4" and weigh 110 pounds. Am I fat and do you think I have an eating disorder?
Signed: Am I Fat?
Dear Am I Fat?,
TeenHealthFX is very concerned about your feelings for your body and how you are trying to deal with them. It is unhealthy for anyone to try to lose weight without eating for a day or days at a time. Eating food is supposed to be nourishing and pleasurable experience, not something that makes you feel guilty.
Please read the questions Does My Friend Have An Eating Disorder and Appropriate Height and Weight. It sounds to TeenHealthFX that you are not overweight and that your attitudes toward food and your body are not healthy.
TeenHealthFX recommends that you talk with your doctor and an adult you trust, like a parent about your feelings and concerns about your weight. They can help guide you to the help you need to feel better about yourself and food.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Most smokers begin smoking as teens, and the average age of initiation is 12.5 years of age.
