Expert: Ryan Hale - 3/10/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi there,

First of all, thanks a bunch for taking some time to read over my question! It really concerns me and it would put my mind at ease if an expert told me what's going on with my body.

So I've been anorexic for around 2 months. I've been restricting myself to 1200 calories on most days and went from 125 lbs to 106 lbs (I'm 5"7). I used to have some belly fat because I didn't exercise a lot back then, but I lost that with anorexia. Now that I'm refeeding, and have been doing so for about a month or two (I haven't gained much though, I'm still at a very low BMI under 17), I've suddenly gotten so much more fat around my abdominal area.

This fat is completely disproportionate to my body. I'm bony all over, while I have a bloated stomach and a poochy lower abdomen. My body shape is really messed up now and it's really screwing with my mind because it's hampering my recovery efforts. I have tendencies to restrict again every time I see my stomach fat. I was wondering if this stomach fat will ever redistribute, or will I always have a big disproportionate stomach for the rest of my life? How long would redistribution take, if it will happen ata ll? I also do some light cardio and light ab exercises, will they help? What are some things I can do to reduce the bloating and reduce the abdominal fat? Please help me, I'm really worried!

Thank you!!

Didi H.

ANSWER: Didi-  Your body was in deprivation for so long that it may be in hyperactive fat storage mode (not a real medical term but you get the idea).  Your body wants to store energy just in case it has to go through starvation situations again so it wants to store.  The most common area is hips, thighs and stomach.  It will likely change over time and it may depend on what you are eating to refeed.  Once you reach a safe weight and have worked out the kind of diet you will likely follow the rest of your life, it may change.  Talk to your dietitian or nutritionist.  It sounds as though you should talk with a counselor about the body image stuff too.  The cardio and ab work is fine and good for overall health but only if your Dr. says you are safe to do so.  With such a low BMI it might not so ask.My strongest recommendation would be the counseling though.  if you have not worked through some of the factors in your life that are contributing to your disorder and have not dealt with the body image stuff it will be more difficult to be successful in getting better.

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

QUESTION: Thanks for your answer. Sorry but I have one more question about your reply! You said it may depend on the food I eat to refeed - what are some things I should avoid eating on a refeeding diet (I eat a lot of sweets...is that really bad)? Thanks!

Answer
Didi- I wouldn't avoid eating any foods if you are in the process of getting back to a healthy weight.  The sweets can cause your appetite and blood sugar to swing up and down so I would recommend against living on sweets, but part of a healthy diet, some sweets are ok.