Expert: Loren - 6/11/2007

Question
hi, Im 19, 5'4, and am fat. and i am seriously, not just saying that, im  9 stone 4. i obsess over my weight, it fluctuates dramatially (i was 7 stone at xmas) and i feel like a failure when i eat. im arguing with my fiance immensly over this, but i get embarrassed about feeling the need to eat, and angry when he tries to make me. all i want is to be an acceptable weight, and i cant. i have the urge lately to try and cut the fat off myself, im scaring myself. the fact that im writing this makes me feel dirty and disgusting, because i shudnt be feeling this way. every time i look in the mirror, i feel physically sick, and seem to be spending a large amount of my time either crying or shouting. also, my periods are a complete mess, and have been for a few years, could it be related?
sorry to bother you if this is a waste of your time, but i just wanted to know whether this is normal?

Answer
Hello Laura

When you ask "is this normal?" I have to say both yes and no. To an extent most adolescent girls obsess about their weight and put themselves on various diets from time to time. However, there a few cases (or perhaps not merely 'a few') which then develop into the more serious illnesses of anorexia and bulimia.

At 5"4 and 9st 4lbs you are completely normal. You BMI is 22.3 and that is well within the healthy range for your height. And your periods will most likely have been affected by this if you have been going through periods of restriction.

It's a poor body image issue. Instead of taking things out on your eating habits, for your metabolism's sake, why don't you instead incorporate some form of exercise into your daily routine? Exercise will not only help you tone up but it will aid with your mood as exercise has been proven to make you feel better.

I hope this helps.
Take care,
Loren