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Nutrition (Expert Forum)
manourishment and asymmetry?
Answered by
Renee Radenberg - Child Nutrition, nutrition
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Acne and food, Allergies to food, Balanced Menus, Diabetes, Eating Disorders, Healthy Snacks, Hypo and Hyperglycemia , Nutrition, Over-eating, Weight Loss.
manourishment and asymmetry?
by bellejarred, Jun 20, 2008 08:43PM
I'm not really sure if I'm posting this in the right place; if not, please refer me to the correct forum.
Growing up, I had always been a picky eater, but when I was about 12, I became very restrictive about my eating. I had a burning desire to be thinner and somehow "better" than other girls, and I felt accomplished when I had hunger pangs.
In high school, I would eat very small amounts (cereal for breakfast; usually a juice and apple at lunch, otherwise nothing; then a small dinner). I don't think I'd have been considered anorexic, since I never ceased menstruation, but I was borderline, and either way I wasn't very healthy.
When I was about 14, I noticed that I had developed major skeletal asymmetry between one side of my body and the other (throughout the body, every part of face, ribs, torso). It's as if my left side developed normally, and my right side stopped prematurely - my right face looks less mature, softer jaw, less pronounced cheekbone, and less developed brow bone. My rib and right breast are also much smaller than the left (between an inch and two inches).
I understand that no one is symmetrical, so I never pursued the issue in any real way, even though mine is more noticeable than normal. I attributed it to poor nutrition during my growth spurt. However, I'm now in my mid-20s and I recently gained weight and noticed that the weight is more concentrated on my left side also! That concentration of weight strikes me as weird effect of adolescent malnutrition.
Can someone tell me if pronounced asymmetry is a common effect of malnourishment? It would seem to me that if a child isn't getting sufficient nutrients, that they would just stay small, not grow unevenly. Does the body somehow favour growth on one side (perhaps where the heart is?) in situations of hunger? If so, why would my body fat distribution be different from one side to the right? Is it possible that this could be caused by another underlying ailment?
Growing up, I had always been a picky eater, but when I was about 12, I became very restrictive about my eating. I had a burning desire to be thinner and somehow "better" than other girls, and I felt accomplished when I had hunger pangs.
In high school, I would eat very small amounts (cereal for breakfast; usually a juice and apple at lunch, otherwise nothing; then a small dinner). I don't think I'd have been considered anorexic, since I never ceased menstruation, but I was borderline, and either way I wasn't very healthy.
When I was about 14, I noticed that I had developed major skeletal asymmetry between one side of my body and the other (throughout the body, every part of face, ribs, torso). It's as if my left side developed normally, and my right side stopped prematurely - my right face looks less mature, softer jaw, less pronounced cheekbone, and less developed brow bone. My rib and right breast are also much smaller than the left (between an inch and two inches).
I understand that no one is symmetrical, so I never pursued the issue in any real way, even though mine is more noticeable than normal. I attributed it to poor nutrition during my growth spurt. However, I'm now in my mid-20s and I recently gained weight and noticed that the weight is more concentrated on my left side also! That concentration of weight strikes me as weird effect of adolescent malnutrition.
Can someone tell me if pronounced asymmetry is a common effect of malnourishment? It would seem to me that if a child isn't getting sufficient nutrients, that they would just stay small, not grow unevenly. Does the body somehow favour growth on one side (perhaps where the heart is?) in situations of hunger? If so, why would my body fat distribution be different from one side to the right? Is it possible that this could be caused by another underlying ailment?
Are you (or the subject of the question) male or female?
:
Female
What is your (or the subject of the question) height?
:
115?
What is your (or the subject of the question) weight (kg or lb)?
:
5'6
Doctor's Answer
by Renee Radenberg, Jun 23, 2008 09:31PM
, Jun 23, 2008 09:31PM
To: bellejarred
It is possible for the body to grow asymmetric due to malnutrition. It is not common but it does happen. Depending on the type of malnutrition/deficiency and the length, it can affect our bodies in such a way that it is not repairable. From the weight and height you stated, you are still appropriately 15lbs below the proper weight for your height. It is important that you eat healthy and consume all the food groups daily. Thank you for your question.
