Expert: Joanne - 11/6/2007

Question
Hi,
In your opinion, do you think i have an eating disorder??
Im not on a "diet" although i know i dont eat much.
Everyone comments on how "skinny" i am, but i just cant see it, all i see is a short chubby, untoned girl.
Im a size6-8 (uk) so i dont think im under weight.
im about 5ft1 and weigh about 7stone.
My parents tell me i dont eat enough so they keep pushing food onto me, making feel even kless like eating.  

Answer
Sara

At the moment, your weight is definitely at the lower border of normal, and any loss of weight risks you falling into the underweight category, risking the health problems that come with being underweight.

I can not say whether or not you have an eating disorder.

I would recommend visiting http://www.einstein.edu/yourhealth/behavioral/eating/article8374.html
and take that EAT-26 test (or just google EAT-26).  It was used as a means of screening people who could have eating difficulties, but DOES NOT GIVE A DIAGNOSIS of an eating disorder, just gives you an idea of whether or not you should be looking at getting a professional to evaluate your eating habits further!

Please feel free to get back in touch if you would like to ask anything else!

All the best
Holly