Underweight

Being underweight is actually a serious issue because it can significantly affect the overall health and may lead to very severe complications.

Underweight

Being underweight means that the body weight is less than the normal and healthy range for it, and this differs among people depending on several factors.

In general, the body mass index (BMI) is considered a good reference to evaluate the weight, but it can’t be the only one. An adult person is considered underweight when the BMI is below 18.5, and a child is considered underweight when the BMI is below the 5^th percentile, and this is less than 95% of children their age.

Causes and risk factors of underweight

• Not having enough food.
• Facing physical difficulties with eating, like conditions and medications that cause nausea or loss of appetite.
• Malabsorption disorders.
• Certain mental health conditions, such as mood disorders and eating disorders.
• Overexercising and hypermetabolism, which require more calorie intake.
• The risk of underweight increases due to the following factors: genetic factors, aging, and having limited access to food.

Symptoms of underweight

Physical appearance doesn’t always indicate underweight because there are people who tend to look thinner than normal even though they are healthy. Symptoms of underweight are related to undernutrition, and they include:

• Extreme tiredness, weakness, and dizziness.
• Decreased heartbeat and low blood pressure.
• Hair thinning or hair loss.
• Irregular periods.
• Difficulty getting pregnant.
• Irritability and depression.
• Getting ill a lot and taking more time to recover than normal.
• Underweight can lead to serious complications, such as anemia, osteoporosis, losing muscle mass, a weak immune system, growth delays in children, pregnancy complications, infertility, and low birth weight.

Diagnosis of underweight

• Physical exam.
• BMI.
• Asking about the diet.

Treatment of underweight

• Treating underweight depends on how it affects the health.
• In general, it’s recommended that the person consult a dietitian to follow a suitable diet for them.