Do I need to gain weight?

Many members of my friends and family have told me that I do, and yet I don't feel like I'm too thin - I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds, in fact.

I would really appreciate any opinions!

Age: 15

Height: 5'7"

Weight: 118 lbs.

Frame: Small/Medium (according to the CC frame chart, my fingers overlap, but I'm not sure if that's accurate)

Activity: One hour swimteam (vigorous laps) twice a week, running a mile twice a week... and whatever exercise I can fit in

at 5'7" and 118 lbs you are on the thin side leading to skinny (skinny is a four letter word in my books). Be careful with your body image. There is so much out there that tells girls to be thinner, thinner, thinner and there is a VERY high price to pay if you go too far. 

My suggestion would be to talk to a doctor now. Not because you are necessarily in an unhealthy place at the moment, but if you loose too much more weight you really could be. Getting a firm idea from a qualified professional for what is and is not healthy for yourself based on a full body composition which would include a body fat and body muscle analysis should put you on some firm ground for knowing what is and is not healthy for you.

If you want to loose weight begin to ask yourself why. At your height and weight you are likely small enough but if you have "trouble areas" you are not so proud of then instead of trying to diet them out think about exercising them out. If you can tone the area you can gain weight, shrink size, look and feel better.

Good luck.

You are underweight as it is. I don't know whether you need to gain weight...thats a question for your doctor to answer. But you certainly shouldn't be trying to lose. I don't know how you could possibly be on a swimteam because at that weight you must barely have muscle. =/

Thank you for your help! I will definitely ask my doctor about those tests at my next physical. :)

I am the same weight and the same height, I would consider gaining a few if I were you babe. My nutritionist says that 130ish is the perfect weight for us, although I am 22, you are probably still growing so you should def not be worried about weight!!

I am pretty much the same height and weight.  Im 19, 5'8 and weigh 115 lbs. I exercise everyday for 45-60 minutes, combination of either running, eliptical, walking, or the bike.  My mom wants me to gain weight, i use to weigh 125 playing soccer everyday so i was very active.  Then i started eating "healthy" and have lost 10 pounds.  I dont notice anything, but i am scared to go all the way back up to 125.  I feel the same way that i want to lose a little more.

I wouldn't worry to much about it. Your 15 and will probably fill out more naturally in the next few years. I wouldn't worry about gaining or losing.....just eat very healthy three meals a day and let your body do its natural thing. I don't weigh much at all and it is natural for me and I have no health problems and I am 28.  I truly believe if people just eat healthy and exercise and have no medical issues that their body will be at its natural weight and other people may think that the natural weight  for a person is to skinny or too much but it isn't up to them what they think is the right weight.  And those weight charts are not accurate in my opinion. They always say I am underweight and I am not...I am just very petite and small.

You definitely don't need to lose weight, 118 is considered very slim for your height. Being 5'7 myself, when I was 118 no one EVER told me I needed to lose anything. Since you are still growing though, like others have said, don't focus on your weight. Just make sure you eat when you are hungry, get good sources of protein and it never hurts to tell your doctor what you eat in a day and make sure he/she thinks it is enough, especially since you are so active.

I appreciate all of the helpful posts! Thanks everyone!

And feanor, could it be possible that my body composition is mostly muscle? I find it rather offensive that you would suggest I didn't have enough to swim. I'm actually pretty good at it.

Original Post by feanor:

You are underweight as it is. I don't know whether you need to gain weight...thats a question for your doctor to answer. But you certainly shouldn't be trying to lose. I don't know how you could possibly be on a swimteam because at that weight you must barely have muscle. =/

 Just because people are small doesn't necessarily mean they are weak. I'm 5'6'' 105 lbs and a lifeguard and can easily pia carry (carry a person with their head and shoulders out of the water) a 190+ lb person and lift them out of the water.