We frequently hear about the risks of obesity, but seldom of being underweight. in most cultures today, being underweight is much more socially acceptable then being overweight. Societies (especially in the arts and fashion circles) have been misguided in their belief that very slim is healthy and beautiful. However, being underweight can pose as many health problems as being overweight.
Underweight is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 18.5 or less. BMI is the calculation of how much fat the body has in relation to the height and the weight of an individual. The normal BMI is 18.5-24.9 while 25-29.9 indicates being overweight. When a person is unnaturally thin from eating too little, exercising too much or both, negative effects may occur.
Nutritional Deprivation
The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity has cited effects of nutritional deprivation to one's well-being. It pointed out that such a body "learns" to live on less, resulting in tissues not growing properly, muscle deterioration and bones losing mas -- the last of which can lead to osteoporosis (or bone-thinning and brittleness) in both men and women. In unnaturally thin women, distruption of the hormones regulating menstruation has been observed. Nutritional deficiencies may also result in hair loss, anemia and emotional changes; including social withdrawal, irritability, depression and sleep disorders - not to mention a compromised immune system.
A weakened immune system, which is a primary physiological asset in combating disease, can become ineffective against infections (such as common colds and viruses) and have little left in its constitution to kill pathogens (harmful organisms).
Re-learning the Basics
Nutrients are essential for life, and adequate amounts in the diet are necessary for providing energy, building and maintaining body organs, and for various metabolic processes. The human body is not able to produce many of these nutrients and it is imperative that every individual includes them in their diet.
There are six major classes of nutrients found in food: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids (fats and oils), vitamins (both fat-soluble and water soluble), minerals and water - all of which are required for health. When these nutrients in sufficient quantity are put back into the diet of an undernourished person, the symptoms of nutritional deficiency decline and they start repairing damage caused by their absence.
In cases of genetically thin individuals who do not smoke, do not excessively consume alcohol and are healthy, then being underweight is only a problem when energy reserves are needed in case of an acute illness, a situation which can be corrected simple by better nutrition .
Medical Intervention
Sometimes being underweight requires medical intervention. A physician should be consulted first "to rule out" hormonal imbalances, depression, cancer., infectious disease, digestive tract disorders, excessive physical activity, and other hidden diseases or problems such as the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia and bulimia are perhaps the two most well known eating disorders today. Anorexics are known for their failure to eat due to the fear of gaining weight so they decrease their food intake until they practically, and sometimes literally starve. Bulimics on the other hand, display tendencies to overeat and then purge their stomachs to prevent absorption of the calories from the food they have eaten. These two diseases are associated with tendencies of sufferers to commit suicide or to die of starvation. Speaking with a professional instead of relying on a layman's opinions or recommendations is the best approach in this instance. Also helpful is a strong support system (such as family and friends) and recognizing the situation as being more complicated than simply encouraging the person concerned to eat regularly again.
The health perils caused by by being underweight are not altogether different are not altogether different from those of obesity. Satiety-signaled irregularities, metabolic rates, hereditary tendencies and psychological traits can all contribute to being underweight and malnutrition, which may lead to severe illness and even death.
Nutritional Augmentation
When being underweight requires a specific intervention, one approach for treating adults is to gradually increase their consumption of energy-dense foods (the ones which provide a great deal of energy in a small volume), especially those sufficient in healthy fats. Fish oil, avocados, olive oil, Italian cheeses, nuts and granola are excellent energy sources with low saturated fat content. Dried fruit and bananas are energy-dense fruit choices. If eaten at the end of a meal, they won't cause early satiety or the feeling of being full. Underweight people should replace such foods as diet soft drinks with good energy sources, such as fresh fruit juices and consuming an adequate amount of water, necessary to hydrate cells. Good sources of proteins such as lean meats, poultry, fish, soy, nuts and seeds - can provide amino acids to help build muscles.
Preferably, most food choices made in order to gain weight should come from "good sources of protein and healthy lipids (fats) and not from too many carbohydrates, especially refined sugar and starches. The goal is to gain weight by developing muscles, not excess body fay. Fiber-enriched sources of carbohydrates, the complex cariety found in whole grains, oats, fruits and vegetables, are preferred. It is fine to have simple carbohydrates (sugar) following a workout, but taking in too much sugar over a long period can lead to excessive fat storage and type 2 diabetes.
Encouraging a regular meal and snack schedule will aid in weight gain and maintenance. Sometimes, people who are underweight have experienced stress at work or have been too busy to eat. Making regular meals a priority may not only help them attain an appropriate weight but also help with digestive disorders, such as constipation, which are sometimes associated with irregular eating times.
It is apparent that being underweight is associated with an impaired quality of life as the person with this condition lacks vitality to engage in lively activities, not to mention a decline in mental functions. Is being too thin really the appearance of beauty and a full and happy life?
Image of Perfection
Everyday, people are bombarded by TV, poster and magazine ads with images of the male and female bodies and what they are "supposed" to look like, according to society. Instead of wishing to look like any of these "models," it will be better for people to combat incorrect image perceptions and consider that the time has come to stop judging and begin appreciating their bodies in order to raise a new generation that can focus on being healthy rather than having the perceived, but unnatural, perfecy body.
The British poet, William Shenstone (1714-1763) said it best... "health is beauty, and...perfect health is...perfect beauty."
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