Rate of weight loss

[Catsback]

Hello, my daughter is losing weight - I would say at the rate of about 1-2lbs a week. She’s currently at an okay weight to height (slightly underweight) but is distressed when eating, wants to be very underweight. She is being seen by an eating disorder service next week - mainly due to the fact that she is losing weight, and her rigid thinking about food (she is autistic). Is this rate of weight loss fast / concerning? Thank you

I'm no expert @Catsback but is she definitely anorexic and it's not ARFID?

2lbs loss a week roughly equates to a calorie deficit of 1000 calories a day so yes, it is concerning especially in a teenager and one who is underweight already. It's the level at which my psychiatrist starts muttering about hospitalisation. I hope you manage to get some support.

Thank you for answering @SiouxsieSiouxStiletto . No, not ARFID. I feel like I can see something coming with her (illness), that CAMHS / her psychiatrist isn’t taking notice of. They say she’s not underweight enough. Thankfully we have an appointment with a specialist service, but I don’t know whether they’ll take her on.

It is ridiculous and so frustrating that they won't give her help as she isn't underweight enough given that everything you read on EDs says that early intervention is the key.

I hope the appointment goes well

I’ve just weighed her again, and she’s lost a kilogram in 6 days, and two kilograms in three weeks.