Expert: Samathlee Colon, CNA - 10/11/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am a 14 year old girl (turning 15) and last year I went through a period of REALLY restrictive eating of only two cups of milk, 1/2 cup cereal, 2 serves of fruits, and lots of vegetables, throughout the whole day. I only ate about 600 calories per day and lost almost 10 kilos fairly fast (dropping to about 37 kilograms). I'm really worried that by doing this last year I may have stunted or even stopped my growth. I'm really small, about 4ft. 10inches (147cm) and haven't grown since i was 11 (3 years ago), when I got my first period. I'm unsure sure if my height is a result of my eating or if this is normal for me. My parents are both quite short, but both are taller than me (but my mum is only a few centimeters taller). I eat 1,300mg of calcium everyday and eat plenty fruits and vegetables, from 1,200 - 1,500 calories per day. Is this enough? Will I grow anymore? I now weigh 43kilo's and want to loose weight and tone up because I have gone a bit chubby. I eat healthy now and cant understand why I haven't grown.

ANSWER: Not to worry you can't stunt your growth to that extreme but eating less one year. It seems that this is more genetics then anything. You are still very young and have roughly 10 more years to complete your growth. Plenty of time to get the height and nutrition you need. So as long as you stick to a healthy diet eat about 5-6 times a day, get plenty of veggies and fruits and solid whole food- you will be just fine. You don't need to be so worried about losing weight right now, excersise is important health wise. But at this age a little thickness is good. You got a few more growth sperts hopefully coming. But it sounds like you will most likely be on the shorter side. Nothing wrong with that :). GOD BLESS AND STAY HEALTHY.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you heaps :) You've given me alot more faith:) But if im eating enough fruit and vegetables and getting enough calcium, but eating only 1,200 - 1,500 calories per day, will that be okay? It wont hinder my growth and stop me from reaching my peak height will it? I dont really want to have to increase my calorie consumption. Thanks again :)

Answer
To be perfectly honest for your age that 1200 calories does not work for you. I would add at least 500 more calories to that. Your body needs those good calories now more then ever. If later on as an adult when your metabolism begins to slow, yes I would knock your calories down. But right now as long as you mix in that excersise every now and then, you will not have to worry so much about you gaining weight. You will be growing, and your metabolism will take care of the rest.