Expert: Leigh-Anne Persing, PA-C - 10/19/2008

Question
hello, my name is Zack im a fourteen year old boy, i used to have anorexia. (i ate 300 cals aday)
i then realised that this was killing me (i fainted when i tried to stand-up and had no energy) so i started eating more...

i currently eat 1200 healthy calories aday
and try to do a minimum of 20 mins of excersise aday eg. swimming, walking, cycling, squash, badminton

i was just wondering if you could tell me if living this way would put my body in "starvation mode"


i hope you can answer my question and look forwards to hearing from you soon.

thanks for your time

x
^.^  

Answer
Your body probably won't go into starvation mode, but your body would perform more efficiently and effectively if you were getting more calories. You need a minimum of 1400 calories per day, and for growing boys who are physically active you need to increase your daily calorie intake towards the upwards of 2000-2500 per day.