While obesity is becoming a significant public health risk, being underweight can also cause health problems. However, there are still many misunderstandings about the correct methods for putting on weight safely. What is the definition of underweight? Using the Mass Index (BMI) is a common way to determine whether or not an individual is within a healthy weight range.
People can calculate their BMI using their height and weight. A person with a BMI of 18.5–24.9 will be within the healthy range. According to guidelines, a person with a BMI of less than 18.5 is underweight and may need to gain weight for their health. However, in some cases, it is possible for an individual to have a low BMI but remain healthy.
There are also some factors that the BMI does not take into account, such as muscle mass. This can lead to a healthy person having a weight that is outside of the ideal range. For instance, they may have a very high BMI due to being muscular, rather than because they have a high proportion of body fat. In general, a person’s BMI provides a reasonable indication of whether or not they are a healthy weight.
There are many health risks relating to low body weight. In many cases, being underweight is due to a poor diet. This can cause malnutrition, which has risks of its own. For example, a deficiency in Vitamin D can have a negative impact on bone health. A diet too low in calories can cause: fatigue, nausea, hair and skin issues, a weakened immune system, osteoporosis, infertility, an eating disorder, developmental issues and increased risk of infection. Being underweight can cause health problems, so some people may need to gain weight.
Although it is common to want to gain weight quickly, it is also important to do it safely. People who are trying to put on weight should still aim to eat a balanced diet, weight train, and get enough cardiovascular exercise.
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