University Student, 21, Eats Every 15mins To Stay Alive and Weighs The Same As An Eight-Year-Old

Lizzie Velasquez weighs just 56lbs and has almost zero per cent body fat but she'll be the first to tell you she's not anorexic.
The 21-year-old from Austin, Texas, actually eats every 15 minutes just to stay healthy.
 The Texas State University student has a condition that is so rare, there are only three known cases in the world. It prevents her from gaining weight even though she eats up to 60 small meals a day.
 She consumes between 5,000 and 8,000 calories a day but her weight has never tipped over 60 pounds.

'I weigh myself regularly and if I gain even one pound I get really excited,' 5ft 2ins Lizzie said.
'I eat small portions of crisps, sweets, chocolate, pizza, chicken, cake, doughnuts, ice cream, noodles and pop tarts all day long, so I get pretty upset when people accuse me of being anorexic.'
 Lizzie was born four weeks prematurely weighing just 2lb 10oz. Doctors found there was minimal amniotic fluid protecting her in the womb.

'They told us they had no idea how she could have survived,' said Lizzie's mother Rita, 45, a church secretary.
 'We had to buy dolls' clothes from the toy store because baby clothes were too big.'

'I was always the one at the top of the pyramid during cheerleading,' she added.
Lizzie has a weak immune system and has been in hospital many times after catching numerous illnesses.

Lizzie doesn't take medication but she relies on vitamin supplements and iron to stay healthy. It is thought she should be able to conceive naturally without passing the condition to her children.
She added: 'I do all the things my friends do, shopping, movies and parties.

'But I hate it when people stare, or make comments. When I meet new people I have to say: "Hi, I'm Lizzie and I have this rare syndrome, I am NOT anorexic."'

Currently there is no cure but her doctors predict if Lizzie keeps eating she has a bright future ahead of her.
She insisted: 'I'm happy the way I am and this syndrome has made me the person I am'
Lizzie hopes to become a motivational speaker when she graduates.

'I want to make a positive difference in people's lives and show them that you can get through most hardships if you are strong, positive and have a sense of humour,' she said.

Lizzie has also co-authored a book about her incredible experiences. It is due to be released in late September and will be available on Amazon.