Dr. X, young girls and women are given so many wrong signals as they grow up. All of the women that we tend to see on television or in magazines are as thin as a rail. The problem is is that, for many women, it would be impossible to look like those women, myself included. As I went through grade school and high school, I was overweight. It wasn't until I learned how to eat healthy that I started to lose weight. That being said, I'm still probably a few pounds over what my weight should be. It's normal to want to be thin, but if it costs you your health, then there is no point in being thin. The current issue of the Diagnostic Manual Of The American Medical Association, DSM IV, lays down the criteria for the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa as, "A) Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height. (e.g. weight loss leading to maintenance of body weight less than 85% of that expected; or failure to make expected weight gain during a period of growth, leading to body weight less than 85% of that expected.); B) Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight; C) Disturbance in the way which one's body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight; D) In postmenarcheal females, amenorrhea i.e., the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles, (A woman is considered to have amenorrhea if her periods occur only following hormone, e.g., estrogen administration). Anorexia may be primary or secondary. In primary anorexia the anorexia is the central condition and any associated psychiatric condition such as depression is secondary. However in the differential diagnosis of anorexia nervosa one must consider major depressive disorder associated with loss of appetite and anhedonia, and Schizophrenia where the food refusal is part of a delusional system around body image or eating. Anorexia may also be secondary or co-morbid with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or may be component of Personality Disorder." I can't tell for sure if these criteria actually fit for you since all I have to go on is the message that you sent. If you're still nervous about if you have a problem, then you should definately look into this more. If you're losing weight at a large rate, then there might already be people, like your parents, that are worried for you. Talk with them and, if you feel the need, talk to a professional. Your family physician could help, and, if your problem is bad, you might need to talk to a psychiatrist. Please remember that there are many factors that have a hand in a person's body weight. Genetics is a major weight factor. Like height, eye color, and skin color, a general idea about weight can be found in your genes. If your parents are both thin, then their high metabolism was probably passed down to you. If they are naturally overweight, then you might also have their slower metabolism, which would mean that you are naturally prone to being overweight. I wish I could give you an easy answer to your question, but I can't. It is perfectly normal to see yourself as overweight, but you shouldn't let your need to be thin cause you to jeapordize your health. I hope that I've helped you and I wish that you have a healthy life. If you'd like, please feel free to stop by and keep me informed on how you're doing.

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