| A
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes: Hi. I know this is not a medical site, but I'd just like some opinions from regular people. I'm a 24 year old female. I am 5 foot 6 and weigh 8 stones. Is this underweight? If so, is it very bad? Thank you. Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, Tisha-1  +, writes (11 December 2010):
 Based on your set of symptoms, I'd say it would be prudent to be examined by a physician. It would be a great pity to have lasting health issues due to something easily treatable, yet undiagnosed because the individual didn't seek the proper care. Do take care of yourself. We only get the one body, alas.
A
female
reader, bernergirl +, writes (11 December 2010):
 I hope you didn't think I was being mean. I just didn't know what a stone was? I think it really just depends on your frame and build. However, I do think the BMI is not such an accurate measurement. According to the BMI...Brad Pitt is overweight. Its probably a good thing to go see your doctor, because sometimes rapid weight loss is a sign of something more. I wish I had that problem right now, seems if I look at food it goes straight to the tush!!
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (11 December 2010): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks for the replies. I am going to see a nurse on Monday, and like I said in my question, I know this is not a medical site. I was just looking for general opinions. You didn't have to answer the question if you don't agree with me asking on here.
Recently my weight has started to rapidly come down, ever since the weather went really cold actually. I do feel quite unwell, I suddenly feel breathless and dizzy, and I am getting these pains in my chest, like there is a tight vice preventing me from breathing properly. My periods have become erratic also.
I guess I have quite a delicate build, I appear pretty lanky to most people. I guess I was just getting a bit concerned. Thank you for taking the time to reply to my question.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (11 December 2010): Don't rely on the internet to tell you if you're underweight! Do you feel healthy? Do you eat enough? Your measurments and weight sound fine to me, just right, slim but not skinny. Im 5'3 and 7 stone, i'm not underweight, i'm healthy x
...............................
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (10 December 2010): I'm 5,7" and weigh 8 stone and I'm fine so I'd assume you were too
...............................
A
female
reader, SmilySmily  +, writes (10 December 2010):
Well Im currently studying medical..well my answer has nothing much to do with it but to your comfort, taut i'd mention it anyways ;)
I think you're slim but not like under weight or anything bad in health wise. I think you would look fine with that height and weight really. but well I have never seen you so I dont no whether you look healthy slim or sickly skinny but bu the sound of your description, i think you'd have a nice slim figure!!!
Well as long as you're not going on extremely diet tryin to lose weights and all, I think you're fine! so no need to feel bad about it really!!
...............................
A
female
reader, birdynumnums  +, writes (10 December 2010):
 You are 5'6' and weigh 112. It depends on your frame size as well; but you are a bit underweight. It may mess with your monthly cycles to be at this weight, you may have spotty or absent periods, so putting on a few pounds isn't going to hurt you.
I was 5'7" and 119 pounds - and you could play the piano on my rib cage. It might be great for a model or a ballerina who are encouraged to be underweight; but most women are healthier a bit heavier. It's better for your bones, which produce your red blood cells; and that may have a bearing on your becoming anemic (I was at times when I was young). It's also better for your immune system to be a bit heavier and if you did get sick - you wouldn't have any margin of body fat to lose.
If you are really worried about it; get a proper body measurement at your gym; find a good trainer who is knows what they are doing. They measure your wrist bones, do a caliper test on your body; or sometime submerge you in water; and will give you a personal weight goal especially designed just for You. It was recommended that mine was 155 pounds; so I was VERY underweight (large frame; large wrists and still can rarely find gloves in ladies sizes).
...............................
A
female
reader, alice0110  +, writes (10 December 2010):
Yes, according to BMI you are underweight. anything under 19 is. however, bmi isnt 100% accurate. the best thing to do would be to go to the doctors, they can do waist to hip ratio and also the pinch test. once they know they can advise you on what is/how to a achieve a healthy body weight for yourself :)
...............................
A
female
reader, Tisha-1 +, writes (10 December 2010):
This BMI calculator tool says you are underweight. What does your doctor say? That's more important than what a random bunch of people who don't know you and aren't medically trained would think.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (10 December 2010): It's a little on the thin side but not majorly underweight. Have you always been thin or is it sudden weight loss? It also depends on your frame, some people are naturally thin.
...............................
A
reader, anonymous, writes (10 December 2010): Borderline underweight/ healthy. BMI of 18.11. Maybe gain a little more, but then, if you're happy as you are, keep with it. Don't loose any more weight, to ensure your body is functioning healthily.
...............................
|
