Expert: Joanne - 10/26/2005

Question
About 2 months ago I started a diet, weight watchers, which if followed properly is a very safe and proper way of dieting. I followed the program and went to the meetings for about 4 weeks and then I just started tracking at home. I have been obsessed with my weight for a long time and I always feel as though I am trying to hide my fat. I get very excited when I see I have lost weight. Now I have lost about 35 lbs. I am down to about 155 lbs and I am 5'9 but I have a large frame. Everyone I am close with as well as people I don't really know are telling me I am starting to look sick but when I look at myself I still see fat everywhere. Sometimes when I eat the food hits my gag reflex and so I don't eat anything. Other times, when this doesn't happen I eat small portions of all low fat food and I still feel like a pig aftewards. I am always tired and my normally cavity-free teeth have started getting cavaties. Are these signs of anorexia? After hearing so many people tell me to stop loosing weight and me still feeling like I shouldn't be eating b/c I'm already too fat I am starting to get scared. Could you let me know what you think... thankyou.  

Answer
This is going to sound terrible - and I personally don't agree with it - but a lot of specialists won't actually diagnose you as anorexic unless you weigh about 15% less than the recommended weight for your height!

I don't believe that eating disorders should be judged on your weight, but the way you think! 155lbs sounds about right for your height and your BMI is within the normal range, so I'm not sure how easy it would be to get a firm eating disorder diagnosis.

The fact that you can't see the weight loss and are still determined to continue to lose weight suggests that there may be a problem.  As for cavities, I'm not sure that this is a common sign of anorexia, but I know that it is a problem for bulimics - do you vomit at all?  The fact that you have no energy suggests that you are definitely not getting enough nutrients.

I think that the fact that people have begun to worry about you and the fact that you are here asking for advice, suggests that there is a problem!  I would first of all go and speak to your Dr.  See what advice he can give you.  I think that it may be an idea to go and speak to some sort of psychologist or therapist.  Maybe only once, just so that they can determine whether there are underlying issues as to why your eating may be disordered!

Please come back with any further questions.

Holly