My parents think I'm anorexic, but I'm not , I naturally very skinny, but still get accused of being anorexic?

Question

I live with my dad , because my parents are divorced. My dad always thinks I'm anorexic , because I'm so skinny, and always have been a picky eater.He is very stubborn , and will never believe me no matter how many times I try to fight back ,and tell him otherwise, because Its not true. I actually eat tons of food (junk food mostly,because I'm picky), I am very active and excerise alot, and do alot of sports as well.But, I'm still naturally skinny, and no one seems to understand that, I'm 15 , 5'6", and weigh 80lbs, I know thats really low, but I'm still very healthy , because like I said , I eat tons of food, and even get my period , and everything normally. But, despite all this, my dad is still not convinced,and it always make me so angry whenever he brings up this issue, because sometimes it turns into a fight ,and I really hate it whenever that happens, so , How can I seriously convince my dad that I'm not anorexic?

Answer 1

That is not a healthy weight for your height. Not even at your very young age. I think you need to see a metabolism doctor or endocrinologist. I suspect you have an endocrine condition that is burning calories like crazy right now, but will backfire on you and go in the other direction in a few years. You really need to talk to a doctor about your weight vs your food intake and exercising. Something is not right.  

Answer 2

My dad used to think i was. He kept threatening to take me to the hospital - would have wasted their time as there was nothing actually wrong with me either.

It just sounds like you have a really really fast metabolism.

80 lbs at 5'6 is very very worrying. Im not picking on you.

when i was 15 i was 5'5 and 90 lbs and my nurse told me i needed to put on weight because i was desperatly underweight yet you are even taller than i am and are lighter. I think you should go to the doctor to find out if there is anything up with you - dont panic or anything just rule out hormone problems. Maybe your dad will see your not anorexic!

As for me i put on weight. Im 5'5 (STILL) 16 years old and 116 lbs.

seriously theres nothing seriously up with you but go see your doctor (=

Answer 3

Welcome to the club! I had the same problem with my parents.

However, that is an unhealthy weight, and while you may not be anorexic, something else is seriously wrong. Just tell your dad "No, I'm not anorexic, but I know that I'm very underweight, so I'd like to make a doctor's appointment to figure out what's wrong." Your doctor will either refer you to a specialist, or have some ideas on how to gain weight, like lifting and eating high-protein foods, or going on the birth control pill. In any case, that should help your dad to not worry so much about you.

Answer 4

Eat a lot in front of him. Anorexic is not eating. So if you prove to him that you do eat, everything should be fine. Also consider going to a doctor to see if they can give you anything that will make you gain weight. Best of luck.

Answer 5

haha what a jerk! i weigh 82 and my parents know im not anerexic and im 17! i just have a fast matabolism and i eat like a cow but do not grow haha ! just like eat a ton if front of your dad and always ask for food and make jokes be like omg people who are anorexic are so stupid haha wow jk you dont have to but i would

Answer 6

Next time you have a doctors appointment, ask him or her to tell your dad what they think. It's probably because you have an extremely high metabolism. I do too, I'm 15, 5'1" and 93lbs(since I was 12). It's just because any food we eat just gets absorbed and used by our bodies faster than others.  

Answer 7

Say that it's your metabolism? It probably is anways.

My parents think I'm anorexic, but the truth is I eat everything and anything... I had 4 breakfasts and I'm still starved ^^

Answer 8

oh wow,

i believe you that ur not anorexic.

but i'm almost 13 and i weigh 85.

you're 2 years older and weigh less.

so, obviously.. i hate to say, you're not at a healthy weight for someone of your height and age.

i'd say, eat in front of him.

and alteast TRY healthier foods.

and, talk to a doctor about your weight issues.

a friend of mine has to take meds to gain weight..

=/

Answer 9

If you eat then your not anorexic! You deff. need to gain some weight though... If you go on BMI CACULATOR.com then you can see if your healthy or not. I checked for you and i'll copy and paste everything they said. Okay:

5'6 and 80 pounds

BMI is equal to or less than 18.5 (Underweight)

A lean BMI can indicate that your weight maybe too low. You should consult your physician to determine if you should gain weight, as low body mass can decrease your body's immune system, which could lead to ilness such as disappearance of periods (women), bone loss, malnutrition and other conditions. The lower your BMI the greater these risks become.

The best way to add weight is to increase your intake of complex carbohydrates, particularly whole grain ones. Foods like whole wheat bread, muffins, pasta, crackers, and bagels are good to include. Also, legumes and fruits would be wise choices.

In order to gain weight, you will have to eat more calories. You will need to include regular exercise and strength training into your lifestyle in order to prevent gaining too much weight as fat. And, as I mentioned, those extra calories should come mainly from additional carbohydrate.

To start, set up a realistic goal weight for yourself. You may need to resign yourself to a less than (what you may consider) an ideal weight. Make good nutrition your priority, and weight gain the second.

It is best to gain weight slowly and steadily. This will help to ensure that your weight gain is in the form of lean body mass and not excessive fat. Don't try to gain more than 1/2 pound a week.

Some more tips

Drink 6-8 glasses of distilled water a day.

Eat frequent but small meals.

Eat lots of raw fruits and vegetables (green leafy vegetables are great)

Do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop,...

Do not eat processed foods; white sugar, white flower,...

Avoid red meat and animal fats.

Reduce intake of dairy products.

Do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke

Seriuosly this works!

Answer 10

Just ignore him and move out when you can.

Answer 11

wear a fat suit?  

Answer 12

Binge eat in-front of him and say " Dad, i'm hungry "

Encourage him to order you both takeaways.

Answer 13

That is a very unhealthy weight.  In order to convince your dad, you should go see a doctor about your condition.  The doctor might be able to tell you ways to achieve a healthy weight, and your father will see that you are concerned about your weight as well.

Answer 14

It comes down to if you have an eating disorder or not.

I haven't eaten at all today (it's mid afternoon), but no one would call me anorexic.  And no one would say i have an eating disorder.  It's uncommon.  I have a good excuse.  Well, i have an excuse.  I'm not going to make up for it by binging. I'm not going go, uhm, throw up my lunch when i eat it.  And so on.

Answer 15

how about this great idea - gain some weight - thats not healthy i am sorry to say, and stop eating mainly junk food - thats not healthy either you need to be eating salads and other healthy food...  

Answer 16

Gaining 40 healthy lbs. will probably shut him up. You don't have to get fat, just eat more protein and start lifting weights so you build up some muscle.

Answer 17

That is a very unhealthy weight. You may just have a fast metabolism, but that can be an actual medical problem.

You should see a doctor, some people have problems where no matter how much they eat they cannot gain weight. You may need to go on a more structured meal plan to gain weight.  

Answer 18

You call being 15 years old, 5'6'' and weighing in at 80lbs as healthy?

Girl, i'm 16, same height as you and i weigh 115, i'm still skinny and on the About Calorie Count website i am classed as underweight..

I'm not surprised at your dad. You might as well pass for an anorexic body type person, you might not be like that in your head but.. Girl.. I only say this because i care. Also, it is not the weight you're supposed to be at, naturally skinny or not.

Try this: http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/bmi.php

See for yourself and it doesn't hurt to try and gain some weight.. You might be 'healthy' but having a low body weight could cause problems with your health. There's something going on... i don't know.. But eat right. The only way you can convince your dad you are not anorexic is by GAINING WEIGHT. I'm sorry but eating in front of your dad? I don't see how that does anything because Nicole Richie ate in front of the paparazzi's to convince them she's still eating whilst she is clearly skinny. She didn't fool anyone.. And if you eat tons of food, i'm sure your dad would have seen you eat it.

Answer 19

Tell him that you might be, and will go to a doctor for an assessment.  The doctor will answer that, and neither of you will need to make a lot of drama out of it anymore.

And, if you are, I trust you'll do something to accept it.  

If you aren't, you won't gloat.

If the answer is inconclusive, you'll agree to monitor it as the doctor suggests, and that you'll follow through.

This isn't about who is right or wrong, it's about your father's concern for your health and your refusal to allow him to care in the way that he does.   Let him.  Then, get to a professional to stop the silly bickering.

Answer 20

Eat infront of him and tell him you love what you're eating. Ask for seconds at dinner, then he'll know you're not anorexic.

Answer 21

OMG EVERYBODY CALLS ME THAT!

even though i eat more then most people

& im aslo very active

but nobody will belive me

but preety soon you'll gain some pounds

or just ignore him

& like the next time you go like to some resterant with you dad

order something like a burger & fries & a milkshake

THEN HE"LL BELIVE YOU

Answer 22

I am glad you are healthy.  Actually he is concerned about your well being. He has probably read or seen programs about girls being sick from starving themselves and he is trying to do the best he can to help you.  From what you say it is unlikely that you will be able to change his mind.  I think you should concentrate on learning to get along with him and not hurting your cause by arguing. Please do not get angry as that just makes it worse.  some thing like"

Dad I know you are concerned but I really am healthy please do not be mad at me for being myself.  I can not help being thin.. that is just the way I am."   It takes two angry people to have a verbal confrontation.

you keep your cool and be like the "adult"  I hope things work out and

maybe if you save some of your appetite for the dinner table he will be less angry.  One thing to consider:  people often are angry at things in their life and they often take out their anger on people in their family.

show some interest in his activities .. get him to talk about his day and his plans and he will not have time to argue with you.   don.

Answer 23

maybe your dad doesn't understand the meaning of anorexic. perhaps he thinks its all just a physical thing and not a mental one. you should explain to him that skinny doesn't equal to anorexia. anorexia is when someone doesn't want to eat to be thin. good luck with everything and also, u should go to your doctor and maybe he/she can help you gain some weight, because you really are very underweight. hope i helped :)

(pick me for best answer?!)

Answer 24

wow that IS really low! that's like the weight of a 11 year old who is 1'10"/ i'm, not convinced either. uhhh maybe the doctors can help you get up to your right weight because even if you eat alot of junk food, that's still not good for you

Answer 25

I'm a few inches shorter but I weigh the same. I just don't see how people can enjoy eating so much. I say, don't fight him. Just calmly say that you're not and don't keep arguing. If you're defensive it might make him think you're hiding something.  

Answer 26

yeah, this is how my friend is. She's 13.  The doctor even said she was, but it's natural. Her mom is really skinny too. Try to be less picky and eat a balanced meal, and maybe even give yourself  a little break on the exercise, at least till you gain a few pounds(u could be over-exercising) Maybe go to the doctor and have them talk to your dad about it.