Being underweight means having a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5, which is considered the lower limit of the normal range. Underweight can be caused by various factors, such as genetics, illness, eating disorders, malnutrition, or excessive physical activity.

Being underweight can have negative effects on your health, such as increased risk of infections, osteoporosis, infertility, and delayed wound healing.

In this article, we will explain what underweight is, how to treat it, and what you need to know about its causes and consequences.

What is underweight?

BMI is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight. It is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared.

For example, if you weigh 50 kg and are 1.6 m tall, your BMI is 50 / (1.6 x 1.6) = 19.5.

A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal, while a BMI below 18.5 is considered underweight. However, BMI is not a perfect indicator of health, as it does not account for muscle mass, bone density, or body shape.

Therefore, it is important to consult your doctor if you are concerned about your weight or health.

What are the signs and symptoms of underweight?

The most obvious sign of underweight is having a body mass index (BMI) below 18.5. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.

As said earlier, You can calculate your BMI using this formula:

BMI} = {weight in kilograms} \ {height in meters^2}

However, BMI is not a perfect indicator of health, as it does not account for muscle mass, bone density, or body shape.

Therefore, other signs and symptoms of underweight may include:

• Feeling tired, weak, or cold
• Having dry skin, hair, or nails
• Experiencing hair loss or thinning
• Having irregular or absent menstrual periods
• Having difficulty concentrating or remembering things
• Having low self-esteem or body image issues
• Having frequent infections or illnesses

If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, you should consult your doctor to determine the cause and severity of your underweight condition.

What are the causes and consequences of underweight?

There are many possible causes of underweight, such as:

• Genetics: Some people have a naturally fast metabolism or a small appetite, which makes it hard for them to gain weight.

• Illness: Certain medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis, or HIV, can affect your appetite, digestion, absorption, or metabolism, and lead to weight loss.

• Eating disorders: Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder are psychological disorders that involve abnormal eating behaviours, such as restricting, purging, or overeating, and can result in underweight or overweight.

• Malnutrition: Lack of access to adequate food, poverty, famine, or war can cause underweight due to insufficient intake of calories and nutrients.

• Excessive physical activity: Athletes, dancers, or models may have high energy expenditure or pressure to maintain a low body weight, which can lead to underweight.

Being underweight can have serious consequences for your health, such as:

• Increased risk of infections: Underweight can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to infections, such as colds, flu, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections.
• Osteoporosis: Underweight can reduce your bone density and increase your risk of fractures, especially in older adults.
• Infertility: Underweight can affect your hormonal balance and cause irregular periods, low sperm count, or difficulty conceiving.
• Delayed wound healing: Underweight can impair your skin integrity and blood circulation, and slow down your wound healing process.
• Other complications: Underweight can also affect your growth, development, mental health, cognitive function, and quality of life.

What are the possible treatments for underweight?

The treatment for underweight depends on the cause and severity of the condition. The main goal of treatment is to address the underlying issue and help the person achieve a healthy weight and nutritional status.

Some possible treatments are:

¡》Dietary changes:

A person who is underweight should eat more calories and protein than they burn, as well as a variety of foods from all food groups.

They should aim for at least three meals and two snacks per day, and include foods that are high in energy and nutrients, such as nuts, seeds, dried fruits, cheese, eggs, milk, yogurt, meat, fish, poultry, beans, lentils, tofu, whole grains, starchy vegetables, and healthy fats.

They should also avoid skipping meals, drinking too much water or caffeinated beverages, or eating foods that are low in calories or nutrition, such as candy, chips, soda, or diet products.

¡¡》Nutritional supplements:

A person who is underweight may benefit from taking nutritional supplements, such as multivitamins, minerals, or protein powders, to boost their intake of essential nutrients.

However, supplements should not replace a balanced diet, and they should be taken under the guidance of a doctor or a dietitian.

¡¡¡》Medications:

A person who is underweight due to a medical condition may need to take medications to treat the underlying cause, such as antibiotics, antiparasitics, antidiabetics, or thyroid hormones.

They may also need to take medications to stimulate their appetite, such as cyproheptadine, megestrol, or dronabinol. However, medications should be prescribed by a doctor and used with caution, as they may have side effects or interactions with other drugs.

¡¡¡》Psychological therapy:

A person who is underweight due to an eating disorder or a mental health issue may need to undergo psychological therapy to address the root causes of their abnormal eating behaviours, such as low self-esteem, body image issues, trauma, stress, or depression.

Psychological therapy can help a person develop a healthier relationship with food and themselves, as well as cope with their emotions and challenges.

Some examples of psychological therapies are cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, interpersonal therapy, or family therapy.

¡V》Hospitalization:

A person who is severely underweight or has life-threatening complications may need to be hospitalized for intensive care and monitoring.

They may receive intravenous fluids, electrolytes, or nutrients, as well as medications and psychological support. Hospitalization is usually a last resort and should be avoided if possible, as it can be traumatic and disruptive for the person and their family.

What are some tips for gaining weight safely and effectively?

Gaining weight can be challenging for some people, especially if they have a fast metabolism, a low appetite, or a history of eating disorders.

However, with patience, perseverance, and professional guidance, it is possible to achieve a healthy weight and improve one’s health and well-being.

Here are some tips for gaining weight safely and effectively:

1. Set realistic and specific goals:

A person who wants to gain weight should set realistic and specific goals, such as how much weight they want to gain, how long they want to take, and what methods they want to use.

They should also track their progress and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small. They should avoid comparing themselves to others or following unrealistic standards of beauty or fitness.

2. Seek professional help:

A person who wants to gain weight should seek professional help from a doctor, a dietitian, a therapist, or a trainer, depending on their needs and preferences.

They should follow their advice and recommendations, and communicate with them regularly. They should also seek support from their family, friends, or peers, who can offer encouragement, motivation, and accountability.

3. Eat more frequently and consistently:

A person who wants to gain weight should eat more frequently and consistently, as this can help them increase their calorie intake and prevent them from feeling too full or nauseous.

They should aim for at least three meals and two snacks per day, and eat every three to four hours. They should also avoid skipping meals, especially breakfast, as this can lower their metabolism and energy levels.

3  Eat larger portions and add extras:

A person who wants to gain weight should eat larger portions and add extras to their meals and snacks, as this can help them boost their calorie and nutrient intake.

They should use larger plates, bowls, or cups, and fill them with more food. They should also add extras, such as butter, cheese, cream, honey, jam, peanut butter, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, granola, or chocolate, to their foods and beverages, such as bread, pasta, rice, cereal, milk, yogurt, smoothies, or shakes.

4. Choose nutrient-dense foods:

A person who wants to gain weight should choose nutrient-dense foods, as these can provide them with more calories and nutrients per serving, as well as improve their health and immunity.

They should include foods from all food groups, such as whole grains, starchy vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, beans, lentils, tofu, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats.

They should also limit foods that are low in calories or nutrition, such as candy, chips, soda, or diet products, as these can fill them up without providing any benefits.

5. Drink high-calorie beverages:

A person who wants to gain weight should drink high-calorie beverages, as these can help them increase their calorie and fluid intake, as well as prevent dehydration.

They should drink beverages that are rich in energy and nutrients, such as milk, yogurt, smoothies, shakes, juice, or soup. They should also drink water or herbal tea, as these can hydrate them and aid their digestion.

They should avoid drinking too much water or caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, or energy drinks, as these can suppress their appetite and cause water loss.

6. Exercise moderately and regularly:

A person who wants to gain weight should exercise moderately and regularly, as this can help them build muscle mass, strength, and endurance, as well as improve their mood and metabolism.

They should do a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises, such as walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, lifting weights, or doing push-ups, squats, or lunges. They should exercise for at least 30 minutes, three to five times a day and avoid heavy exercise.

Conclusion

Underweight is a condition where your BMI is below 18.5, which can be caused by various factors, such as genetics, illness, eating disorders, malnutrition, or excessive physical activity.

Underweight can have negative effects on your health, such as increased risk of infections, osteoporosis, infertility, and delayed wound healing.

To treat underweight, you need to increase your calorie intake and gain healthy weight by eating more frequently, choosing nutrient-dense foods, adding healthy fats and proteins to your meals, and avoiding skipping meals or snacks.

You should also exercise moderately to build muscle mass and improve your strength and endurance.

However, you should consult your doctor or dietitian before making any changes to your diet or exercise routine, and seek professional help if you have any underlying medical or psychological issues that may affect your weight or health.

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