Underweight: Causes and Advice on Gaining Pounds Healthfully
Being thin or underweight like being overweight, is a relative term, being based on the ideal weight for a given height and sex. A person can be regarded as moderately underweight if he or she has a BMI under 18.5. People who are underweight may have an increased risk of anemia, heart irregularities and osteoporosis. One of the better known conditions associated with low body weight is anorexia. Underweight people often feel easily tired, have poor physical stamina and low resistance to infection.
Underweight Causes
People who are underweight may suffer from this condition due to a poor diet or starvation (also known as malnutrition), psychological problems (anorexia nervosa or body dysmorphic disorder, for example), weight loss due to chronic illnesses (like tuberculosis or cancer), hyperthyroidism and drug use.
Other factors include inadequate digestion and absorption of food due to a wrong dietary pattern for a particular metabolism, metabolic disturbances such as an overactive thyroid, and hereditary tendencies. Disorders such as chronic dyspepsia, chronic diarrhea, and presence of intestinal worms, liver disorders, diabetes mellitus, insomnia, constipation, and sexual disorders can also lead to thinness.
Gain Weight Healthfully
Trying to gain weight can be as hard as trying to lose weight. You can gain weight in a healthy way through diet and exercise changes. Set a target weight to aim for — talk to your doctor if you aren’t sure. Also, consult your doctor if you want to gain weight because of a medical reason.
The best way to add weight is to increase your intake of complex carbohydrates, particularly whole grain ones. Foods like whole wheat bread, muffins, pasta, crackers, and bagels are good to include. Fruits and vegetables would be wise choices as well.
In order to gain weight, one will have to eat more calories. An underweight person will need to include regular exercise and strength training into lifestyle in order to prevent gaining too much weight as fat. And, as mentioned above, those extra calories should come mainly from additional carbohydrate.
It is better to gain weight slowly and steadily. This will help to ensure that your weight gain is in the form of lean body mass and not excessive fat. It is not recommended to try to gain more than 1/2 pound a week.