I feel for you! My parents get on my case for eating, too. It's rough! *hugs*

In my situation, I'm 28 and I'm stuck living at home with my twins because I'm going through a divorce. I'm not trying to lose weight, but every time I step into that kitchen and start making something, someone walks in and asks which of my children it's for... as if I'm not allowed to eat, or something. I'm paying almost 75% of their monthly mortgage, so it's not like they can justify it by saying I live here for free.

Are your parents trying to force you to lose weight by limiting your food intake? If so, that isn't a healthy formula for weight loss. Like one of the previous replies said, 600 calories a day is not healthy for a teenager -- or anyone -- unless it was recommended by a doctor or nutritionist... and even then, I'd question their reasoning for imposing such harsh restrictions. Most people add exercise and cut just 100-300 calories from the daily recommended intake for your individual height/weight.

If your parents came up with this plan on their own, I would recommend asking them to take you to see a nutritionist. There have been times when I only ate 600 calories daily myself, and I felt miserable, so I can only imagine that you probably don't feel well either. Also, the prefrontal cortex of the brain doesn't stop developing until around 25 years age, so I can't imagine that living in a state of starvation is going to do you any good at all. In addition, starving to lose weight isn't an effective way to keep weight off. The body senses when it's starving, and it will cling to any fat you begin to eat once the starvation ends. It's not good for a person's metabolism, since the body will go into "survival mode", expecting to starve again soon.

Again, I'm not sure if this has to do with weight loss, or something else. Either way, I don't think it's good, and I imagine you don't feel well physically with such little to fuel yourself.

Sending good juju your way! I hope you feel better soon. *hugs*



EDIT: Sorry I missed the second page of replies. My gosh... your parents should be ashamed for making you live like that. I'm so sorry! Sending extra good juju your way! My ex had parents like that, and their reason for limiting their children's food intake was ridiculous. They felt they were doing right by their children by making sure they didn't "get fat". All of their children grew up with major body issues, among other things. Your parents may or may not realize what they're doing is wrong, and basically abusive. I'm so sorry you're going through this. Please get someone involved who can get you help, and maybe help your parents too. It's so easy to judge them and call them abusive, but they may not understand that they're setting you up for a lifetime of poor health. If your parents are otherwise good and loving people, you may want to mention that to a counselor at school, so you can get help as a family without anyone getting in "trouble". If there are other things going on at home that put your health and safety at danger, please don't hesitate to call 911, your local DCFS office, or The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) to get help. You're in my thoughts.