Body Weight - What's Normal? / Question
Published: October 21, 2009
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am 14 female and 90 pounds 5'4". I am flat chested i don't feel normal. Am i under weight? And could this be a disease or a trait i've inherited? What's wrong with me...
Signed: 14 And 90 Pounds - Underweight Or A Disease?
Dear 14 And 90 Pounds - Underweight Or A Disease?,
Using your age, height, weight, and gender, TeenHealthFX calculated your Body Mass Index (BMI) and found that you have a BMI of 15.4. This places you are at the 3rd percentile for girls your age, meaning that only 3% of teens your age weigh less than you do at your height. Such a low BMI indicates that you are underweight, so FX does recommend that you be seen by a healthcare provider to determine the cause of your being underweight. There are many reasons a child or teen might be underweight: an underlying illness that has gone undiagnosed; emotional issues affecting appetite and/or food intake such as stress, depression, or eating disorders; growth spurts; or dealing with allergies or gastrointestinal problems that has made eating unpleasant. FX cannot give any kind of accurate diagnosis over the web – so it is important for you to meet with a medial health professional who can determine the cause of your being underweight and who can provide you with any medically necessary treatments.
The fact that you are flat-chested may be related to where you are in terms of going through puberty – different girls develop at different rates. It could also be related to your weight as a woman’s breast size can increase when she gains weight or decrease when she loses weight. Or there may be something else going on altogether – again, FX cannot give you an accurate diagnosis – you need to speak to a doctor.
If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-6475 for an appointment or contact your local teen health center. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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