To think someone at 5’4 and 7 stone

[User2627]

Is very underweight?

I had a friend who was 5'4 and around or just under 6 stone. I cant remember exactly now. I was extremely concerned she was anorexic but no one else ever showed concern.

In contrast my son is 17, 5'8 and weighs 8 stone. My friend thinks he is anorexic but NHS weight guide said hes not even underweight.

So in summary I have no idea how skinny too skinny is. It seems you can be very underweight and it's not a concern. I'm fat so maybe I'm not in a position to comment

Obviously

@PatriciaPerch

she is 21 and she has a complex learning disability and is on epilepsy medication. She shouldn't really be putting on so much weight in a short space of time. She only needs to lose about 4-5lb, it's affecting all he seizure medication sorry I have just realised I have posted on mumsnet randomly

For normal women I imagine putting on weight and converting it to muscle is fine. She has been stopped from doing anything normal and that is SAD more than hr putting on weight

Yes I imagine stopping a loved activity is more upsetting than putting on a bit of weight.

BMI isn't everything but she could put on

It makes me sad you use the phrase 'normal women' to say she is not one.

She could put on 1.5 stone and still be in the healthy range.

I have epilepsy and do understand rapid weight changes can be risky. Can you maybe speak to her neurologist about it to keep them posted?

I hope she manages to get back to her hobbies when covid restrictions settle down, not because of her weight which is absolutely healthy, but to make her happy.

I'm 5'4'' and weighed 7-7.5 stone until I was mid-thirties. Now more like 8-8.5 stone (and yes, I do eat the same amount of food as everyone else).

Why do you ask OP? I have to say I've always found it quite rude of people to think it's alright to comment if they think someone is 'too thin'. For some of us this is a natural bodyweight.

Yep this sounds like my mum.. she looks anorexic! She used to be around 9.5 stone, size 10 and looked so healthy.. she's now 69 years old a size 6-8 and eats 1 small meal a day and drinks far too much! Its so worrying.. family try to help but she wont admit she has an issue and just goes completely mad at us all to the point we have to stop talking incase she gives herself a heart attack

@TonytheDog

I'm 5'4" and 7st. I'm 52 now and have never been above 8 stone. I've had two children, who were born a healthy weight. I've never been on a diet and struggle to put on weight. I wouldn't have been considered underweight 20 years ago but now, apparently, I am. Why is that? Is it because the average weight has gone up?

I think you would you been underweight 20 years ago according to the BMI chart. I remember all too well a weight loss book I had around then where the healthy range for 5'4 began at I think 7'13, 7'11 possibly.

To be in the healthy BMI range, someone 5'4" should weight between 7 stone 12 pounds, and 10 stone 5 pounds.

They're not massively underweight, as the healthy weight range is very wide and starts surprisingly low, but they're medicallly underweight by a few lbs.

@TonytheDog

I'm 5'4" and 7st. I'm 52 now and have never been above 8 stone. I've had two children, who were born a healthy weight. I've never been on a diet and struggle to put on weight. I wouldn't have been considered underweight 20 years ago but now, apparently, I am. Why is that? Is it because the average weight has gone up?

That was definitely considered underweight 25 years ago. I know because I weighed a bit more than that and was told if I got down to 7st I would be hospitalised.

@Throckmorton Yes you're right actually. They're about 11lbs underweight. Which is quite a bit.

I don't think what's considered underweight medically has changed, has it?

Peoples frames/ builds vary enormously so no, its no jecessarily underweight, but could be depending on the specific person. You cant say based on the figures alibe, it has to be based in the person as a whole.

Seven stone for some is massively under weight and dangerous at 5ft 4. At this weight DD had low bone density, low blood pressure, no periods, to put in plainly she was damaging herself. Again just because very few people can be this weight and healthy, they are the few for most they are in danger of long term health consequences.

[quote PatriciaPerch]@youvegottenminuteslynn she really needs to go back to horse riding, swimming and everything for exercise. Her hobbies are more chasing boys[/quote]
I'm sorry if I sounded patronising, I was probably defensive because of a history with anorexia and my epilepsy. It sounds so tough and I know it's relentless being a carer or responsible adult for a loved one. Sorry

@PatriciaPerch

I'm sorry too, it's difficult isn't it? :) I didn't mean anything personal, she is my girl lots of love xx

I feel terrible my post came across as something that would suggest you aren't doing a great job. Love to you too and thank you for being gracious. Give her a big hug with positive thoughts from me. Thank god for mums like you xxx

I am 5 ft 2 and a medium/large build and looked very slim at 8.5 stone. I would look awful at 7st and would have a BMI of 18 which is underweight.

There’s a poster with a very low BMI who occasionally posts seemingly looking for reassurance that a BMI of about this level is healthy.

If this isn’t you OP I’m sorry I was mistaken, but if it is, please please look at some of the eating disorder links others have posted.

I thought the same. This sounds like the poster from last week. If it is you, as per the overwhelming advice last week, please listen to the health care professionals - they are telling you it's unhealthy and they can see you and know your history. A bunch of strangers on the internet aren't qualified or better placed to give you validation.

You know it is

@Legoandloldolls your son is very underweight. I am 5'8" and was around that weight while breastfeeding a very hungry baby but quickly put it back on once I stopped. NHS BMI calculator states a BMI of 16.9.

If they are an adult, yes. If they are a teenager they may be a healthy weight.