Expert: Meg - 3/26/2011

Question
Two people recovering from an eating disorder told me a few days ago that I had a problem with eating/weight issues. But I don't believe them because I am at a healthy weight for my height, although I do feel very overweight. So I think this is what made her think that I had a problem:

*I sometimes fast for maybe a third of a day (waking hours) to lose weight. But you know, I'm sure other people do it too. 
*I do weigh myself on the scales about twice a day. I don't think it's a problem because it's what scales are for, right?
*I have recently started an exercise regime to burn calories. It's not intensive or lengthy but I do intend to gradually increase the intensity and the time. 
*I compare my body to other people's but I'm sure many girls do the same. 
*I am aware of how many calories I consume and I'm trying to lower my calorie intake. It's just making use of the food labels.. Right? 
*I will eat if I HAVE to. I'll just probably lose it when exercising.. Which is the whole purpose I suppose.

I don't think I have a problem, mainly because I'm at a healthy weight. My ideal weight is technically considered 'underweight' but I'm convinced it's the weight I would be happiest at. Plus, I don't take laxatives or vomit.

I am definitely sure that I control this whole thing - I wouldn't let it spiral out of control. 

Do I have a problem? I'm not sure why I'm denying it - maybe because I really don't have a problem or something else. I'm 16 if that helps. Thanks.

Answer
Hi FL,

Thanks for your question and I hope that I can be of some help.  

I'm sorry that you're going through this right now and although its impossible for someone to tell you over the internet if you have a problem, I can pass along some links to self quizzes for you:

http://psychcentral.com/quizzes/eat.htm

http://www.something-fishy.org/isf/questionnaire.php

http://www.mirror-mirror.org/edtest.htm

That said, from reading your question, it sounds like you have some reason for concern and its great that you are taking the time to look at this situation now before things get worse.  That you have multiple friends worried about you, that you feel fat when you are technically underweight, that you seem very preoccupied with your weight and controlling your food and calories, that you workout even when you're not giving your body much nutrition, that you wrote"I will eat if I HAVE to. I'll just probably lose it when exercising. Which is the whole purpose I suppose. " which definitely seems like eating disorder thinking as really, we eat for energy which is used by the body during the day for normal activities and certainly not just to have energy to work out.  And finally, that you are writing to ask makes me think that there is a tiny part of you that realizes there might just be a problem.

As I said, its really great that you are looking out now before you get further entrenched and I hope that you can continue to reach out and find ways to put a stop to this as soon as possible.  I promise you, having gone through it, it always feels in control until its too late.  You are 16 and have so much ahead of you and its truly not worth wasting the important years of your life on this.  Please take the quizzes and be honest with yourself and ask for help if you need it.

All my best and please feel free to write again if there is anything else I can help with

Meg