Yale student deemed too thin tried to bulk up by stuffing her face to avoid expulsion

NEW HAVEN, Conn., April 8 (UPI) -- After months of arguing with university officials, Yale junior Frances Chan will no longer have to cram her body full of ice cream and Cheetos in order to put on weight.

Yale told Chan, 5’2” and 92 lbs., that her body mass index was too low, and began requiring weekly weigh-ins and urine tests to prove she didn’t have an eating disorder.

“It felt really bad to be this powerless,” Chan told the New Haven Register. “I ate ice cream twice a day. I ate cookies. I used elevators instead of walking up stairs. But I don’t really gain any weight.”

Despite her efforts, the 20-year-old was only able to gain two pounds. Chan says her whole family is slight of frame, and naturally thin.

Frustrated with the situation, the history major penned a piece for the Huffington Post detailing her struggles with Yale.

“No more weigh-ins, no more blood draws. I don't have an eating disorder, and I will not let Yale Health cause me to develop one,” Chan wrote. “If Yale wants to kick me out, let them try -- in the meantime, I'll be studying for midterms, doing my best to make up for lost time.”

Chan also wrote a letter to Yale President Peter Salovey. “At Yale, you’re taught to be the change that you want to see in the world,” Chan said. “Well, this seems like an easy thing to change.”

On Friday, Chan was allowed to see a new physician. “So she trusts that I do not have an eating disorder and admitted that ‘we made a mistake,’” Chan said.

She agreed to continue being monitored by Yale Health, but only has to check in once per semester.

[New Haven Register] [Huffington Post]