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What are the ways to manage weight with diet?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am in my teens, 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weigh 180 pounds. For 2.5 months now, I have been eating only half of what I usually eat.

  1. How will this affect me?

  2. Or is it dangerous?

I focus on getting skinnier, and nothing else matters to me, like obviously getting weaker than before.

As for my food intake before the only half cut, it was an average food intake. I do not eat extra or ask for more. I am just eating what has been given to me for lunch, dinner, and breakfast only.

Please help.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

Thanks for sharing this honestly. You are in your teens, which means your body and brain are still in a critical phase of growth and development. So, cutting your food intake by half for 2.5 months, especially without proper planning, is not safe in the long run. Here is a clear breakdown of what is happening and why it matters:

Is eating half as much dangerous?

Yes, if you are doing it without guidance, it can.

  1. Slow your metabolism.

  2. Causes muscle loss instead of fat loss.

  3. Weaken your immune system.

  4. Mess with your hormones, sleep, and focus

  5. Causes hair loss (which you already mentioned).

Your BMI (body mass index) is in the overweight range at 181 lbs and 5 feet 6.5 inches tall, so it is valid to want to improve your health. But starving yourself is not the answer, especially if you say

Nothing else matters besides getting skinnier.

What happens long-term if you keep this up?

  1. Nutrient deficiencies (especially protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins, which are key for energy, skin, and hair).

  2. Muscle loss, not just fat.

  3. Potential future issues with mental health, mood, and body image.

  4. In boys, hormone levels (like testosterone) may drop, affecting strength, energy, mood, and even growth.

How to do it right (without losing health):

If you want to lose weight safely:

  1. Do not cut calories too hard: aim for about 20 to 25% less, not 50%.

  2. Prioritize protein (eggs, meat, dairy, beans).

  3. Include fruits, veggies, and healthy fats—not just reduce quantity.

  4. Exercise, especially strength training, to keep muscle while losing fat.

  5. Consider talking to a doctor or dietitian, even just once, for real guidance.

Mental check-in:

You said nothing else matters to me, like obviously getting weaker. That is a big red flag that this may be turning into disordered eating. You deserve to feel good in your body, but not at the cost of your health or happiness.

If you are open to it, talking to someone like a counselor, nutritionist, or doctor could help. There is nothing wrong with wanting to change your body, but it has to be done safely and with self-respect.

Summary:

  1. Cutting food by 50% for months at your age is not safe.

  2. You are likely losing muscle, harming your metabolism, and harming your hormones.

  3. There are smarter, safer ways to lose weight and get lean.

  4. Your health, strength, and mindset matter, too, not just your weight.

Want help building a healthier fat loss plan that does not wreck your body? I have got you if you want a personalized example.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At June 15, 2025
Reviewed AtJune 24, 2025

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