Why being underweight can be unhealthy too?
By: Keith Fernandez
*Images may be subject to copyright.
It may well be politically incorrect to talk about weight gain in the midst of what the United Nations’ World Health Organization has labelled an obesity epidemic, but for a significant percentage of the population, being skinny is a painfully unhealthy subject.
BMI balance
Last month, researchers announced that being underweight is associated with what they called a “surprisingly wide range of deaths,” which include cardiovascular disease, suicide and Alzheimer’s disease. The study, published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, examined the data of 3.6 million people and more than 357,000 deaths. A body mass index (BMI) that is too high or too low can shorten a person’s life, Dr Krishnan Bhaskaran of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and his colleagues wrote in the article.
However, being skinny isn’t necessarily the same as being clinically underweight. People are considered underweight if their BMI — a measure of body fat based on height and weight — is below 18.5. A BMI between 21 and 25 is generally considered healthy, although the weight of bone and muscle also contribute to the figure. Overall, a low BMI could indicate frailty, particularly in older people, or an underlying medical condition when accompanied by sudden unexplained weight loss.
There are many health risks if an individual is underweight or has a low body weight, as the body is not getting vital nutrients to function and maintain healthy skin, hair and bones.”
- Zenia Menon, Nutritionist at the Dubai Herbal & Treatment Centre
DIABETES LINK
Second, although the vast majority of those with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese, some ultra-thin individuals may also develop the disease. “Thin people may also have type 2 diabetes are at an equally high risk of mortality and death as compared to individuals at the obese end of the spectrum,” Menon says. Finally, pregnant women are also considered a high risk group if their weight in below normal. “They are at high risk of preterm births or can have complications during pregnancy.”
Slowly increasing your calorific load — preferably under the supervision of a medical professional or certified nutritionist — will help push the scales further, Menon says.
TOP WAYS TO PACK ON THE POUNDS
1. Pick a healthy balanced diet with a range of nutrients.
2. Add calorie-dense foods to your eating plan.
3. Eat multiple meals throughout the day, in small portions, and don’t skip your meals.
4. Avoid empty calories from foods that are high in refined sugars and salt.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE.