Is 1200 calories too much to eat if I weigh 98 pounds?
Asked by nlb235 on Sep 06, 2008
in Eating Disorders
If I weigh 98 lbs and if I my exercise consists of daily activities,walking around campus at university, sitting reading, doing homework, or just driving, is 1200 calories about right for me? I don't need to lose weight, but I also don't want to be putting on any weight either.
Answer
From behind the scenes I can see that your weight for height (5’5”, 98 lb) places you at BMI 16.3, which is well below the bottom of the healthy weight range for your height. At very least, you need to eat 2000 calories a day, and you need the help of a registered dietitian that specializes in eating disorders. Use this screening tool to see if you likely have an eating disorder and, if you screen positively, visit your doctor or mental health therapist for a diagnosis and treatment. Your school health service should be familiar helping eating disordered students.
