Anorexia/Eating Disorders/healthy

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Expert: Katie - 12/8/2007


Question
Hey,
Im in recovery and not doing bad im 5`8 and 16 years old, female. Can you tell me what a healthy weight is? I was 42.4kg in september up to 48.4.
Also when my periods will return?
Thanks

Answer
Hi Jess, thank you for your question, and congratulations on being in recovery.
A healthy weight based on height, age, and gender can really vary, and some argue that it is an individual choice. I believe it is finding a happy (and healthy) balance between the above two. Without an individualized report, we base one's healthy weight (usually) off of the "body mass index" scale, and even that can only give you a rough estimate, and it may vary, but the bmi system is a very safe choice to use to determine a healthy weight for your height. For your height, a healthy weight would be anywhere between the range of 128 pounds to 164 pounds. (Sorry that I don't have the metric conversions available to you.) Seeing a doctor and/or a nutritionist/dietician if you have not already, may be a safe choice, as they can work with you to determine what kind of weight you should aim for and ultimately maintain, as well as incorporationg a possible diet plan, or vitamin supplements, to fit your needs, or your body's definciencies.
I really don't have the ability to tell you when your periods will return. In order to do that, I would need a lot of specifics about you to base my answer off of, such as your family history, athletic activity, age at which you hit puberty, and at what age your eating disorder started, as well as the duration and the severity/intensity of the disorder. Even with all of that information, I would still only be able to give you a speculation, which may or may not be accurate. When your body undergoes the stress of having its food intake severely restricted, the first thing to be compromised is your body's reproductive system, which is why you lost your period. Usually, in recovery, it is often the first to return as well, but not always. No two cases of eating disorders are alike, and some are very different from others. Your periods may return as being "irregular" at first, like you may get one every three months at first, as opposed to every month, but it should gradually return to normal. If not, see a doctor and they will help you, and may determine whether or not your ammenorrhea (loss of period) may be due to something else. I don't think you have anything to worry about. I doubt that your reproductive system is damaged (especially not to any long-term degree) as you are only 16, but if you are worried, I would suggest seing a doctor about the issue. I agree it is a little bit of an uncomfortable topic to bring up with doctors, but it is for the best.
I hope this helped! Best of luck to you in your recovery, and happy holidays.

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Katie

Expertise

I can answer (at least to the best of my ability) any question or concern you may have pertaining to eating disorders. I have been deeply touched and effected by these devastating diseases, as I have suffered through them myself for years, and I feel that I definitely have the ability to help others who may be going through the same thing. These diseases tend to give the disordered a feeling of helplessness and aloneness, and there is no feeling more frustrating than trying to reach out to someone who just doesn't understand (as those not effected with the disorder have the inability to do), and who is dismissive of your disease. I have experienced all of that, which is why I am here to help. I've suffered through both anorexia and bulimia for seven years, and I've experienced and been through it all, and my only purpose in doing this is to help those who may be in the midst of an eating disorder themselves. I am not here to criticize you, I am only here to shed a little bit of light in your tunnel, and to do the best I can to help you. While I am not a doctor, I will try to the best of my ability to answer each question I receive with as much honesty, compassion, and heart as I can. Most likely whatever it is you're going through at the moment, I have been there too, so I can help by drawing from my own experiences. My biggest goal would be for eating disorders to be alleviated altogether, but until that happens, I am here to help.

Experience

I have suffered through both severe bulimia, as well as severe anorexia, for seven years. I have done extensive research on these diseases throughout the years, in an attempt to understand them better and to help guide myself through the very difficult path to recovery. I have received some help from others along the way, in order to make the road a little less lonely, and I have acquired some tools myself, that I believe have helped me to better combat these difficult diseases, and the emotions that usually accompany them. I have learned (although it took many, many years) to see my eating disorders as learning experiences, and as tools to use to better understand myself, and perhaps I can help you to do the same. Or perhaps I can help lead you to a healthier path, avoid reaching the point where your eating disorder may seem beyond repair (I've been there, and I've learned that it is never too late to seek help, or to prevail over this disease), or to help open your eyes to all of the wonderful aspects of a life free of eating disorders. I believe that I was given this disease for a reason, which has been to use my own painful battle with eating disorders and turn it into what may be a bit of hope for someone else who is suffering through what I had gone through. I am passionate about the positive awareness and ultimately the elimination of these diseases, and our media seems to portray eating disorders in a very, very inaccurate and unhealthy light, which often encourages these diseases, or discourages those who suffer from them in getting the help that they deserve. I am here to help, and I will do so to the best of my ability.

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