Underweight: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:57, 9 February 2025

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:

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.
Genetics: Some individuals may naturally have a lower body weight due to genetic factors.

Health Risks

Being underweight can pose several health risks, including:

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.
Fertility issues: In women, being underweight can lead to amenorrhea and reduced fertility.
Anemia: A condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin.

Diagnosis

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.

Treatment

Treatment for underweight individuals focuses on addressing the underlying cause and may include:

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

References

"Body Mass Index - BMI." World Health Organization. Retrieved from [1]
"Underweight Adults." National Health Service. Retrieved from [2]
"Eating Disorders." National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from [3]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Underweight''' is a term used to describe a human body weight that is considered to be below a healthy level. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including malnutrition, genetic factors, or illness. Being underweight can lead to a variety of health problems, including weakened immune system, developmental problems, osteoporosis, and an increased risk of surgical complications.
+== Underweight ==
-==Causes==
+[[File:Body mass index chart.svg|thumb|right|Body mass index chart]]
-The most common cause of being underweight is not consuming enough food, or [[malnutrition]]. This can be due to a lack of access to food, or it can be a symptom of a mental health disorder like [[anorexia nervosa]] or [[bulimia nervosa]]. Other causes can include diseases that affect the body's ability to absorb nutrients, such as [[celiac disease]] or [[Crohn's disease]], or conditions that increase the body's energy needs, such as [[cancer]] or [[hyperthyroidism]].
-==Health Risks==
+'''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.
-Being underweight can lead to a variety of health problems. These can include a weakened immune system, which can make a person more susceptible to infections; developmental problems, especially in children and teenagers; and an increased risk of osteoporosis, a condition that weakens the bones and makes them more likely to break. Being underweight can also increase the risk of surgical complications, as the body may have a harder time healing and fighting off infection.
-==Treatment==
+== Causes ==
-Treatment for being underweight typically involves addressing the underlying cause and helping the person to gain weight in a healthy way. This can involve dietary changes, such as increasing calorie intake and focusing on nutrient-rich foods, and in some cases, medical treatment for underlying conditions. In cases where being underweight is caused by a mental health disorder, treatment may also involve therapy or medication.
-==See Also==
+There are several potential causes of being underweight:
-* [[Body mass index]]
+* '''[[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.
+* '''[[Genetics]]''': Some individuals may naturally have a lower body weight due to genetic factors.
+== Health Risks ==
+Being underweight can pose several health risks, including:
+* '''[[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.
+* '''[[Fertility issues]]''': In women, being underweight can lead to [[amenorrhea]] and reduced fertility.
+* '''[[Anemia]]''': A condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin.
+== Diagnosis ==
+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.
+== Treatment ==
+Treatment for underweight individuals focuses on addressing the underlying cause and may include:
+* '''[[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]]
-* [[Malnutrition]]
+* [[Nutrient deficiencies]]
-* [[Osteoporosis]]
+== 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]]
-[[Category:Weight]]
-{{stub}}