Weight loss is a serious issue in the United States. Consumers constantly\u00a0see advertisements and news reports on trendy diets, flashy products, and\u00a0magic pills promising to help them lose weight.
Given that the ongoing \u201cbattle of the bulge\u201d is front and center for so\u00a0many people, being too thin may seem like a good problem to have. But\u00a0the reality is that being underweight can cause health problems.
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The path to improved wellness<\/strong> People who are underweight typically are not getting enough calories to fuel\u00a0their bodies. Often, they are also suffering from malnutrition. Malnutrition\u00a0means you are not taking in enough vitamins and minerals from your food.\u00a0If you\u2019re underweight, you may be at risk for the following health issues: Weight loss is a serious issue in the United States. Consumers constantly\u00a0see advertisements and news…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1622,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-fitness-tips"],"yoast_head":"\n
Fat has a bad reputation for causing people to be overweight and obese.\u00a0However, not all fat is bad. In fact, breaking down and storing energy\u00a0(calories) as fat is good. It\u2019s just one of the many ways the body uses food\u00a0to function, heal, and grow.
Stored energy from fat helps you get through a strenuous job or workout.\u00a0It plays a key role in brain development, and in preventing inflammation(swelling) and blood clots. Fat contributes to healthy hair and skin, as well.
You can determine whether you are underweight by using a Body Mass Index(BMI) calculator. This online tool considers your weight, height, age, and\u00a0gender to calculate a score. If your BMI is less than 18.5, you are\u00a0underweight. Your doctor also can help determine if you\u2019re underweight\u00a0based on your height, weight, what you eat, and your activity level.
Your doctor may put you on a weight gain program if you are underweight.\u00a0However, this is not permission to go crazy with junk food. Healthy weight\u00a0gain requires a balanced approach, just like a weight loss program.
Eating junk food may result in weight gain. However, it will not satisfy the\u00a0nutrition your body needs. Even if the fat, sugar, and salt in junk food\u00a0don\u2019t result as extra weight, it can still harm your body.\u00a0For a healthy weight gain, the following tips can help:
Add healthy calories<\/strong>. You don\u2019t need to drastically change your diet.\u00a0You can increase calories by adding nut or seed toppings, cheese, and\u00a0healthy side dishes. Try almonds, sunflower seeds, fruit, or whole-grain,\u00a0wheat toast.
Go nutrient dense.<\/strong>\u00a0Instead of eating empty calories and junk food, eat\u00a0foods that are rich in nutrients. Consider high-protein meats, which can\u00a0help you to build muscle. Also, choose nutritious carbohydrates, such as\u00a0brown rice and other whole grains. This helps ensure your body is receiving\u00a0as much nourishment as possible, even if you\u2019re dealing with a reduced\u00a0appetite.
Snack away.<\/strong>\u00a0Enjoy snacks that contain plenty of protein and healthy carbohydrates. Consider options like trail mix, protein bars or drinks, and crackers\u00a0with hummus or peanut butter. Also, enjoy snacks that contain \u201cgood fats,\u201d\u00a0which are important for a healthy heart. Examples include nuts and avocados.
Eat mini-meals.<\/strong> If you\u2019re struggling with a poor appetite, due to medical\u00a0or emotional issues, eating large amounts of food may not seem appealing.\u00a0Consider eating smaller meals throughout the day to increase your calorie intake.
Bulk up.<\/strong>\u00a0While too much aerobic exercise will burn calories and work against\u00a0weight goal, strength training can help. This includes weightlifting or\u00a0yoga. You gain weight by building muscle.
Before beginning a weight gain program, talk to your doctor. Being underweight\u00a0may be due to an underlying health problem. It won\u2019t be corrected by diet\u00a0changes. Your doctor will be able to help you track your progress. He or she\u00a0
will make sure that healthy changes are taking place.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nThings to consider <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Delayed growth and development<\/strong>.\u00a0This is especially true in children\u00a0and teens, whose bodies need plenty of nutrients to grow and stay\u00a0healthy.
Fragile bones.<\/strong>\u00a0A deficiency in vitamin D and calcium, along with low\u00a0body weight, can lead to weak bones and osteoporosis.
Weakened immune system.<\/strong>\u00a0When you don\u2019t get enough nutrients,\u00a0your body cannot store energy. This makes it difficult to fight illness.\u00a0It may also be difficult for your immune system to recover after being\u00a0sick.
Anemia.<\/strong>\u00a0This condition can be caused by not having enough of the\u00a0vitamins iron, folate, and B12. This can cause dizziness, fatigue, and\u00a0headaches.Fertility issues. In women, low body weight can lead to irregular\u00a0periods, lack of periods, and infertility.
Hair loss.<\/strong>\u00a0Low body weight can cause hair to thin and fall out easily.\u00a0It also can cause dry, thin skin and health issues with teeth and gums.
Many underweight people are physically healthy. Low body weight is dueto a variety of causes, including:
Genetics.<\/strong>\u00a0If you\u2019ve been thin since high school and it runs in your\u00a0family, it\u2019s likely that you were born with a higher-than-usual metabolism.\u00a0You also may have a naturally small appetite.
High physical activity<\/strong>.\u00a0If you\u2019re an athlete, you probably know that\u00a0frequent workouts can affect your body weight. However, high physical\u00a0activity also can be a part of an active job or an energetic personality.\u00a0If you\u2019re on your feet a lot, you may burn more calories than people who\u00a0are more sedentary (inactive).
Illness.<\/strong>\u00a0Being sick can affect your appetite and your body\u2019s ability to\u00a0use and store food. If you\u2019ve recently lost a lot of weight without trying,\u00a0it may be a sign of disease, such as thyroid problems, diabetes,\u00a0digestive diseases, or even cancer. Talk to your doctor about sudden\u00a0weight loss.
Medicines.<\/strong>\u00a0Certain prescription medicines can cause nausea and\u00a0weight loss. Some treatments, such as chemotherapy, can reduce\u00a0appetite and worsen weight loss from illness.
Psychological issues.<\/strong>\u00a0Our mental well being affects every part of\u00a0our lives. Things like stress and depression can disrupt healthy\u00a0eating habits. Severe body image fears and distortions can lead to\u00a0eating disorders. If you\u2019re suffering from damaging emotional issues,\u00a0talk to your doctor. He or she can help you get the care, assistance,\u00a0or counseling you may need. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"