BMI confusion

Hey gainers,

I'm terribly confused. Currently in recovery, and my doctor told me today that the only way she'd give me a certificate of health is by reaching a BMI of 22 (128 pounds at 5'5"). I've heard everywhere on CC that a BMI of 20 is recommended (at least) to recover, and I'd mentally accepted a goal weight of 120 to achieve this, but now I'm freaking out about having to go higher!

Anyone else's doctor say something like this? I understand its recommended for recovering people that a bit extra is needed for "the body to heal".. but isn't 20 enough? 

Any comments appreciated xo

It all depends on your body shape, and BMI isn't everything.  Under most circumstances, 120 pounds at 5'5" is too lean for a woman.  128 is still very lean, but considerably more healthy.  Hope this helps.

I'm not in recovery or anything but I'm thinking your doctor prefers you to be a little over the minimum to have some wiggle room should you ever relapse, you know?  It is just 8lbs, don't let it stop you! You can do it! Good luck on the rest of your recovery and beyond.

I would have thought your doctor is erring on the side of caution and is applying their own benchmark for health.  BMI 20 is regarded as the bare minimum, you're absolutely right.  A BMI of 22 is still extremely slender and mid-range healthy.

Your doctor will also be alert to other signs of good health besides BMI, of course. In some people, menstruation doesn't restart until they get well past the minimum weight, for example.

I understand she wants to be cautious, and I think my apprehension is 90% ED related, but hopefully either that will go away, or I'll be healthy before 22 (menstruation is fine, it's just I've still got a resting heart rate of 42..) 

Thanks for all your quick replies, I feel better about it already!

To add, where in the normal BMI range you should fall depends on your body frame - small, medium or large.  Several websites explain how to determine this - has something to do with measuring your wrist bone and/or measuring your elbow bones - but I don't remember the details. 

I am considered large framed.  Hence, my BMI should be around 24.

Good luck!

I wish I was large framed as I look so damn lanky!

I find this BMI topic so confusing. My Psychiatrist will allow me to maintain at 15, but hospitals make you gain to 18 or 20. Personally I believe it is completely up to the individuals; health, history, body type and level of comfort. Because if excess gain only results in weight-loss wouldn't a lower more "acceptable" BMI be more realistic to maintain in early recovery? Hmmmm...

Provocative topic.

Love and rasberries, Kat xoxo

I'm pretty certain that I range between small/medium frame, so 22 still seems a little excessive- as aiming that little bit higher seems like it will motivate me to lose weight in the future, rather than getting to a weight I feel comfortable (and healthy at) then maintaining around there. Hopefully doctors look more at the other measurements of health though like heart rate, and my situation won't call for quite that high.

Confusing 

Ambivilance - well, my team suggest a BMI of 17.5 as a 'starting point' - to get you out of the anorexic range, and after that a BMI of 20. I agree 'mini goals' are good as milestones, but mental recovery is impossible without physical recovery - no one can be physically and mentally healthy at a BMI of 15 as your body is still starved even if you're eating enough to maintain, and thus the food obsession/distorted thinking continues. I agree a BMI of 15 is better than relapsing from a higher BMI down to say, 12 or something stupid like that but I don't think anyone should aim to maintain forever at such a low weight if they're serious about getting their lives back from anorexia.

yeahhh I was 'allowed' to maintain at 15 too but I think that probably has its roots more in the fact that it's difficult to 'force' someone to gain over that point legally here, rather than it actually being a viable target weight. I was also told that they 'preferred' me to stay there than gain more and relapse to a life-threatening point. but it was a compromise, obviously any treatment team would have done their job best if they get you to a point where you're not choosing between two ways of being stuck in your ED and miserable. also, staying at a bmi of 15 is no fun :P (obviously I decided against it after awhile!)

I maintained my weight at very low BMIs for extended periods of time. I maintained a BMI of around 13 or 14 for about three years actually. Ate meals, drank Boost. Stayed around 90-95lbs between the ages of 15 and 19, with one or two slips inbetween (I weighed a bit more for about 2 months due to IP). Then I relapsed horribly. Went into treatment, got to a BMI of 16 and was released. Came home and relapsed. And as crazy as it sounds, I maintained a BMI of 11 or 12 for nearly six months, eating around 1800- 2000 calories a day. 

Just because you can eat a sufficient amount of food for a normal person, does not mean you are recovered or healthy. Being at such low weights for such extended periods of time has given me osteoporosis at age 20 (almost 21). You may think its possible to maintain at BMI 15, but its not. The temptations to lose again will still be ever present in your mind, and eventually you will cave into them. 15 is a good starting point. That was my first goal. But now I've hopped back to the gaining train. Sometimes I wish I had gone full force, straight through to a higher BMI. But I knew I needed at least a little bit of time to adjust to being at a somewhat-healthier weight. And now I'm ready. Scared, but ready nonetheless because I know staying at the BMI of 15 would only be letting my ED win, and would be a set up for easy relapse in the future.

double post. oops.