Underweight: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:09, 15 February 2025

An overview of underweight and its implications on health.

Underweight

Body Mass Index chart showing underweight range.

Underweight is a condition where an individual has a body weight considered too low to be healthy. It is often defined using the Body Mass Index (BMI), a measure that compares weight to height. A BMI below 18.5 is typically classified as underweight.

Causes

There are several potential causes of being underweight, including:

Malnutrition: Inadequate intake of nutrients can lead to underweight.
Metabolic disorders: Conditions like hyperthyroidism can increase metabolism and lead to weight loss.
Chronic diseases: Diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS can cause weight loss.
Eating disorders: Disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa can result in being underweight.
Genetics: Some individuals may naturally have a lower body weight due to genetic factors.

Health Implications

Being underweight can have several health implications, including:

Immune system: A weakened immune system, making one more susceptible to infections.
Osteoporosis: Increased risk of bone fractures due to low bone density.
Anemia: A deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin.
Fertility issues: Potential problems with fertility and pregnancy.
Growth and development: In children and adolescents, underweight can affect growth and development.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of underweight typically involves calculating the Body Mass Index and assessing dietary intake, medical history, and physical examination. Additional tests may be conducted to identify underlying causes.

Management

Management of underweight involves addressing the underlying cause and may include:

Nutritional support: Increasing caloric intake with a balanced diet.
Medical treatment: Treating any underlying medical conditions.
Psychological support: Counseling for those with eating disorders.

Prevention

Preventing underweight involves ensuring adequate nutrition and addressing any medical or psychological issues that may contribute to weight loss.

Related pages

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|An overview of underweight and its implications on health.}}
 == Underweight ==
+[[File:Body mass index chart.svg|thumb|right|Body Mass Index chart showing underweight range.]]
-[[File:Body mass index chart.svg|thumb|right|Body mass index chart]]
+Underweight is a condition where an individual has a body weight considered too low to be healthy. It is often defined using the [[Body Mass Index]] (BMI), a measure that compares weight to height. A BMI below 18.5 is typically classified as underweight.
-'''Underweight''' is a term describing a human who has a [[body weight]] considered too low to be healthy. It is often defined by a [[Body Mass Index]] (BMI) of less than 18.5. The condition can be a result of various factors, including [[malnutrition]], [[eating disorders]], or underlying medical conditions.
 == Causes ==
+There are several potential causes of being underweight, including:
-There are several potential causes of being underweight:
+* '''[[Malnutrition]]''': Inadequate intake of nutrients can lead to underweight.
+* '''[[Metabolic disorders]]''': Conditions like [[hyperthyroidism]] can increase metabolism and lead to weight loss.
-* '''[[Malnutrition]]''': Insufficient intake of [[calories]] and essential [[nutrients]] can lead to underweight.
-* '''[[Eating disorders]]''': Conditions such as [[anorexia nervosa]] and [[bulimia nervosa]] can result in significant weight loss.
-* '''[[Metabolic disorders]]''': Conditions like [[hyperthyroidism]] can increase metabolism, leading to weight loss.
 * '''[[Chronic diseases]]''': Diseases such as [[cancer]], [[tuberculosis]], and [[HIV/AIDS]] can cause weight loss.
+* '''[[Eating disorders]]''': Disorders like [[anorexia nervosa]] and [[bulimia nervosa]] can result in being underweight.
 * '''[[Genetics]]''': Some individuals may naturally have a lower body weight due to genetic factors.
-== Health Risks ==
+== Health Implications ==
+Being underweight can have several health implications, including:
-Being underweight can pose several health risks, including:
+* '''[[Immune system]]''': A weakened immune system, making one more susceptible to infections.
-* '''[[Nutrient deficiencies]]''': Lack of essential vitamins and minerals can lead to various health issues.
 * '''[[Osteoporosis]]''': Increased risk of bone fractures due to low bone density.
-* '''[[Immune system]] impairment''': Increased susceptibility to infections.
+* '''[[Anemia]]''': A deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin.
-* '''[[Fertility issues]]''': In women, being underweight can lead to [[amenorrhea]] and reduced fertility.
+* '''[[Fertility issues]]''': Potential problems with fertility and pregnancy.
-* '''[[Anemia]]''': A condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin.
+* '''[[Growth and development]]''': In children and adolescents, underweight can affect growth and development.
 == Diagnosis ==
+Diagnosis of underweight typically involves calculating the [[Body Mass Index]] and assessing dietary intake, medical history, and physical examination. Additional tests may be conducted to identify underlying causes.
-Underweight is typically diagnosed using the [[Body Mass Index]] (BMI), which is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. A BMI of less than 18.5 is considered underweight. Additional assessments may include dietary evaluations, blood tests, and medical history reviews to determine underlying causes.
+== Management ==
+Management of underweight involves addressing the underlying cause and may include:
-== Treatment ==
+* '''Nutritional support''': Increasing caloric intake with a balanced diet.
+* '''Medical treatment''': Treating any underlying medical conditions.
+* '''Psychological support''': Counseling for those with eating disorders.
-Treatment for underweight individuals focuses on addressing the underlying cause and may include:
+== Prevention ==
+Preventing underweight involves ensuring adequate nutrition and addressing any medical or psychological issues that may contribute to weight loss.
-* '''[[Nutritional counseling]]''': Developing a balanced diet plan to ensure adequate calorie and nutrient intake.
-* '''[[Medical treatment]]''': Addressing any underlying medical conditions contributing to weight loss.
-* '''[[Psychological support]]''': For those with eating disorders, therapy and support groups can be beneficial.
-* '''[[Exercise]]''': A tailored exercise program to build muscle mass and improve overall health.
 == Related pages ==
 * [[Body Mass Index]]
 * [[Malnutrition]]
 * [[Eating disorders]]
-* [[Nutrient deficiencies]]
+* [[Metabolic disorders]]
-== References ==
-* "Body Mass Index - BMI." World Health Organization. Retrieved from [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight]
-* "Underweight Adults." National Health Service. Retrieved from [https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/advice-for-underweight-adults/]
-* "Eating Disorders." National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from [https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders]
 [[Category:Health]]
 [[Category:Nutrition]]