Exercise & Sports / Question
Published: January 15, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Good day! I was just pondering over an issue I've never heard discussed. For the sake of saying, I'm 5 8.5 and I weigh a healthy 159 pounds CURRENTLY. Ok, so on to the question. When I am in a sports season (volleyball or track), I tend to become very unhungry, unlike most others, who have the urge to eat more. I am always thirsty and drink tons of water, but I just don't get the urge to eat. It can affect my weight rather drastically - often I end the season around 130. Don't ask me where the weight goes or even was. I don't feel tired (well, no more than one normally would be after a killer 3-4 hour killer practice). Everyone always teases me about "watching my weight" during the seasons. But quite honestly, I'm NOT - I just don't get hungry as often or have the urge to eat a ton. What really blows my mind is that I am a frequent weight lifter. Even in between seasons I stay in shape by running about 3-6 miles a day, and do some lighter lifting, but then I actually do get hungry. I don't understand my strange hunger problem. I don't feel unhealthy, but it still baffles me.
Signed: Strange Hunger Issues During Sports Season
Dear Strange Hunger Issues During Sports Season,
We all know that staying in shape and regular exercise is good for us. It is terrific that you have found sports that you enjoy and keep you body moving, but TeenHealthFX is concerned about the amount of weight you seem to be dropping. To go from almost 160 pounds to 130 is a significant decrease - literally, over 15 percent of your total body weight. To fluctuate that amount can be difficult for your body to handle, and could be dangerous to your health.
Many athletes do experience a change in their eating habits during their peak seasons, but you are correct in that the more typical response to an increase in physical activity would be an increased appetite. Your body is a pretty incredible machine that way - it is designed to accommodate changes in your environment by sending signals to the brain that stimulate the appropriate response. In this case, a significant increase in the amount of exercise you are doing would normally elicit a spike in your appetite.
Since TeenHealthFX cannot diagnose you over the Internet, it would be a good idea for you to make an appointment with a doctor who can evaluate you and accurately assess what is going on and perhaps refer you to a nutritionist who can help you devise a healthier eating program. If you would like to meet with a doctor at the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health in Morristown, New Jersey, you can call 973.971.6475 for an appointment. If you do not live in the area, try calling your local teen health center for an appointment.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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