Expert: Sally - 2/9/2009

Question
Hi I'm Taylor. I eat normally a lot because it takes so much food just to maintain my weight, also because im used to it. I've always getting called "skin and bones" or "anorexic" but im normal and healthy [just naturally skinny]. I lose weight and gain weight all the time. But it is extremely hard to gain any, although I try to because its hard finding clothes to fit. Last week I was complaining to my friends at school that my pants were getting excessively baggy. I weighed myself yesterday and I went form 103 pounds (which I was very proud of) to 93 pounds. I lost about 3 inches off of my legs. Now the only pants that fit are the ones i wore last year. And this years tightest pants fell of my waste.
This somewhat helped, I am skinny but have gotten a little chubby on my stomach. But im still working on toning it.
Although it's not right, i sometimes measure myself and compare it to my sister that is two years younger.
We are now the same exact number in inches around out thighs and calfs.

I'd like to know if there is any way to lose that stomach weight (maybe 3-4 pounds). and also why im this skinny and to possibly become any skinnier?
I think it's disgusting looking at pictures of anorexics,
but somehow it got me hooked. I can't stand bones popping out, puking, or starving myself. But id like to find a way to eat just three regular meals a day and not lose all of my wieght.
one last thing...am i extremely underweight?
Im 5'3 almost 5'4.
93 pounds and in march i will be 14 years old.
people always give me wierd looks, or make me feel bad if i say that i dont know what to do because my wieght fluctuates so much. they just yell at me and say either "you dont need to lose wieght" (which i didnt do anything intentionally) or "i wish i was you". They make me feel bad.
If i carried the traditions of the way i ate a few years ago, i wouldnt have gained 20 pounds going into 7th grade and then 8th grade.
(i normaly gain 10 pounds each year) so really i would be 80 pounds, but that didnt happen.
this is getting lengthy, but one last thing.
when your on your period everyone says you crave food like no other. For me its the complete opposite, i am not hungry at all. Wierd huh? Im working on just eating when im hungry, and slowing down to know when im full.
I wish i had my best friends body. Her legs are good sized, and she has no stomach. Also she doesnt bloat at all when she eats, and i look like a cow after. thats why i dont eat if i go somewhere, or when i go to the pool
Any help? Thankyou.


                                   Sincerely,

                              The natural anorexic.


Answer
Hi Taylor,

Thank you for your email hunni... it sounds like things have been rough for you over the past few years.  Obviously, without knowing you that well, it is difficult to answer a few questions but in relation to your initial question - based on your height and weight, you are underweight and this is determined by what is called your BMI or Body Mass Index.  You can find this on the internet by typing in BMI Chart or just BMI into Google.

Have you seen a doctor or nutritionist/dietician regarding your concerns?