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Problems Caused By
Being Underweight
  Underweight, Consequences of Being
 Signs, symptoms, indicators
 Conditions that suggest it
 Contributing risk factors
 Conditions suggested by it
 It can lead to...
 Treatment recommendations
 


Being underweight in a third world country usually means being poorly nourished and/or infected with parasites. In developed countries, the underweight person is more likely to have a higher metabolism, fewer fat cells, "lean genes" or just not care about food. Causes & Development


Stress causes some to overeat and gain weight and others to lose appetite and weight. Weight loss can also be due to wasting diseases such as cancer and AIDS. Hyperthyroidism, eating disorders and excessive physical activity must also be considered.





SpacerSigns, symptoms & indicators of Problems Caused By Being Underweight:
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Symptoms - MetabolicIcon  Difficulty gaining weight
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SpacerConditions that suggest Problems Caused By Being Underweight:
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MentalIcon  Depression
SpacerWhy Being underweight and male is associated with a risk of depression.

Uro-Genital

Icon  Female Infertility
Icon  Amenorrhea
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SpacerRisk factors for Problems Caused By Being Underweight:
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AutoimmuneIcon  Diabetes Type I

Diet

Icon  Underconsumption

Habits

Icon  The Effects Of Overtraining

Hormones

Icon  Hyperthyroidism
Icon  Hypothyroidism

Immunity

Icon  HIV/AIDS

Metabolic

Icon  Anorexia / Starvation Tendency

Parasites

Icon  Parasite Infection

Tumors, Malignant

Icon  Cancer, General
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SpacerProblems Caused By Being Underweight suggests the following may be present:
TopleftSpacerTopright
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AutoimmuneIcon  Diabetes Type I

Habits

Icon  The Effects Of Overtraining

Hormones

Icon  Hyperthyroidism

Immunity

Icon  HIV/AIDS

Mental

Icon  Depression
SpacerWhy Being underweight and male is associated with a risk of depression.

Parasites

Icon  Parasite Infection

Tumors, Malignant

Icon  Cancer, General
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BotleftSpacerBotright

SpacerProblems Caused By Being Underweight can lead to:
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Uro-GenitalIcon  Female Infertility
Icon  Amenorrhea
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SpacerRecommendations and treatments for Problems Caused By Being Underweight:
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DietIcon  Increased Calorie Consumption
SpacerWhy Eating is the first and most important factor that is needed for proper weight gain - put simply, you need to eat more calories than you burn. Taking meals and snacks more frequently will help accomplish this. Eat every 2.5 to 3 hours; focus on foods higher in protein along with fruit, vegetables and assorted types of nuts. What you eat is the most important ingredient in a successful weight gain program.

Icon  Coconut
SpacerWhy Coconut oil consumption may encourage weight gain if you are underweight, but it can also encourage weight loss in obesity, possibly due to an increase in metabolic rate.


Not recommended:
Icon  Weight Loss

Habits

Icon  Weight Training
SpacerWhy Working with weights three times per week may be the most productive way to gain weight. Weight training provides the greatest amount of muscle growth for the energy expended without the risk of burning up all those extra calories you are consuming. Aerobic type exercises will just burn off those extra calories without much weight gain. Without any exercise, gained weight will tend to be fat - not muscle.

You should lift hard and then recover until the next workout. Focus on the big exercises such as squats, deadlifts, bent-over rows, chin-ups, bench press and military press. These are the exercises that will turn those extra calories into muscle. You need the multiple-joint lifts that will shock your system and stimulate your body into growth. Focus on getting strong by adding a small amount of weight each workout. If you focus on strength, size will follow. If uncertain what to do, get help from a professional trainer, friend or someone at the gym with experience.

Lab Tests/Rule-Outs

Icon  Test Thyroid Function
Icon  Test for Parasites
SpacerWhy Unusual weight loss may be associated with the presence of parasites, especially after recent foreign travel.
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KEY
PlusSpacerWeak or unproven link
PlusSpacerStrong or generally accepted link
PlusSpacerProven definite or direct link
TickSpacerMay do some good
TickSpacerLikely to help
TickSpacerHighly recommended
CrossSpacerAvoid absolutely



GLOSSARY

Aerobic (Aerobically)
Using oxygen. For example, aerobic exercises such as running, swimming, bicycling or playing tennis use up lots of oxygen and burn up lots of calories and fat.

AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. An immune system deficiency disorder that suddenly alters the body's ability to defend itself. The AIDS virus invades the T4 helper/inducer lymphocytes and multiplies, causing a breakdown in the body's immune system, eventually leading to overwhelming infection and/or cancer, with ultimate death.

Cancer
Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.

Hyperthyroidism (Hyperthyroid)
An abnormal condition of the thyroid gland resulting in excessive secretion of thyroid hormones characterized by an increased metabolism and weight loss.

Metabolism (Metabolic, Metabolize, Metabolizes, Metabolizing)
The chemical processes of living cells in which energy is produced in order to replace and repair tissues and maintain a healthy body. Responsible for the production of energy, biosynthesis of important substances, and degradation of various compounds. Also defined as the sum total of changes in an organism in order to achieve a balance (homeostasis): Catabolic burns up, anabolic stores and builds up; the sum of their work is metabolism.

Parasite (Parasites, Parasitic, Parasitical)
An organism living in or on another organism.

Protein (Proteins)
Compounds composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen present in the body and in foods that form complex combinations of amino acids. Protein is essential for life and is used for growth and repair. Foods that supply the body with protein include animal products, grains, legumes, and vegetables. Proteins from animal sources contain the essential amino acids. Proteins are changed to amino acids in the body.




Last updated: Jan 03, 2010


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