Diet worries for a teenager

[Englishbird]

Hi, a young girl (about 14) at my gym is resorting to not eating in order to lose weight.  The instructors, have all tried talking to her, but she doesn't want to listen to them or us.  We're all quite worried, I never listened to anyone when i was 14 either! does anyone know any websites specifically geared towards teen weight issues where i can point her in the right direction.  I have had a number of eating disorders and weight issues, so i know what she needs to be told, it's just finding a format that will get through to her. thanks xx

[Loosehead]

The overiding aim is to be thin, all other considerations are secondary. I don't think any amount of sensible advice can override the need to conform to what is perceived as the ideal stereotype. Some sort of exposure to real eating disorder cases might "shock" some change, that's all I can think of.

[El D]

My answer would be to tell her she has a mental illness and is brainwashed by societies perception of beauty, and that if she ever wants to be attractive to develop a personality capable of dealing with both. Unfortunately I imagine that is none too common. She muct change her perception otherwise she will always be fighting herself.

[secretspirit]

I was like that when I was 14 and the legacy of that is a weight that from being a steady and healthy weight (and slim size10/12) yo-yo'd madly and has taken 10 years to even back our. Perhaps you could tell her that starving herself will only make her body use the calories she takes in more efficiently so she'll be able to eat less and less before putting on weight.

The reason I went down that road was because I was an early developer and felt large compared to my friends who were still growing and were size 6/8. 10 years later I'm back to a 10/12 (well when I'm not pregnant!) and they are all the same or bigger so if she is in the same situation perhaps telling her that soon enough they will catch up will help a little.

[AB Editor]

For all medical questions, we strongly advise you to seek professional advice from your doctor or a healthcare professional.  Please do not rely on, or wait for, advice from Answerbank users.