Expert: Meg - 7/20/2006

Question
Hi,
I've calculated how many calories I eat and it is less than 700 on most days.  I don't ever let myself go hungry, I just get full off of this many calories.  I'm worried that my body is starvation mode, and if it is, how do I get out of it with out gaining weight. ( By the way, I am only twelve and weigh 83 pounds, so please keep that in consideration when determining whether or not I am in starvation mode).  

Answer
Hi Timothy,

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

It definitely sounds like you are not eating enough calories for your body to function at its best.  I'm wondering if you are eating so few calories because you feel fat or are trying to stay at a certain calorie level, or if there is some other reason.  In any case, I looked this up and it appears that even a 1 year old child needs 900 calories!

***Estimated calories needed by children range from 900/day for a 1-year-old to 1,800 for a 14–18-year-old girl and 2,200 for a 14–18-year-old boy.***

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4575

This information came from the above web page.  As you can see, you probably need closer to 2000 calories and you are eating about 1/3 of that.  Its really important to make sure that your body gets the nutrition it needs when you are 12 and growing so I hope that you can find ways to make your diet healthier.  

I would guess that your body is in some sort of starvation mode as eating that few calories tends to cause this to happen.

You might want to take a look at some online self assessment tests for eating disorders as if you are trying to stay at such a low weight and doing this by heavily restricting your food intake, you are either on the way to or in the midst of an eating disorder.

http://www.anred.com/slf_tst.html

I would definitely recommend raising your calorie level to at least 1800 or so calories a day.  This will allow you to grow and stay healthy.  While this may seem daunting since you've been consuming a very low amount of calories, this amount should give you the energy you need to grow and at your best.

I hope this helped at least a little and please feel free to write again if there is anything that I can clarify or further help with.

Take care!
Meg