A person's health can be seriously compromised if he or she is underweight. When you are underweight, your body may not receive the nutrition it requires to maintain strong bones, skin, and hair. While some people may have a genetic tendency or a medical condition that prevents them from gaining weight, doctors can propose therapies to help a person gain weight.
Being underweight is caused by psychological factors
Depression is one of the leading causes of being underweight. People suffering from depression may not only have a decreased appetite, but they may also actively lose weight at an alarming rate.
Exhaustion, Moodiness, an overpowering desire to sleep all day, inability to do simple daily tasks, a sense that "life is not worth living," and suicidal thinking are also indicators of depression.
What is mental illness or mental health?
The term "mental health" means the cognitive, behavioural, and emotional well-being of an individual. Everything boils down to how people think, feel, and act. The term "mental health" is sometimes used to describe the absence of mental disorders. One's mental health can have an impact on one's daily life, relationships, and physical health.
People's lives, personal relationships, and physical circumstances can all contribute to disrupting mental health. Maintaining your mental health can help you keep your ability to enjoy life. This entails striking a balance between one's daily activities, duties, and efforts to create psychological resilience. Stress, despair, and anxiety can all have an impact on a person's mental health and interrupt their routine.
What can be done to stay in a healthy weight range?
To reach a healthy weight and an underweight person should consult their doctor or dietician for a full assessment and treatment plan. Among the measures that may aid in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight are:
- Instead of three large meals a day, eat five or six smaller meals.
- Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily to maintain the right mental and physical health.
- Whole-grain bread, pasta, and cereals, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, legumes, lentils, fish, meat, eggs, oily fish (salmon or mackerel), and nuts and seeds should all be included in the diet.
- Avoid drinking fluids right before meals because they can suppress your appetite. Water or another fluid should be consumed 30 minutes after or before a meal.
- Snacks need to be added - High-protein and whole-grain carbohydrate snacks can aid in weight growth. Peanut butter crackers, protein bars, trail mix, pita chips, and hummus, as well as a handful of almonds, are all good options.
- Add more foods - People can supplement their diets with calorie-dense foods such as slivered almonds over cereal or yogurt, sunflower or chia seeds on salads or soups, or nut butter on whole-grain bread.
- Stay away from empty calories - High-calorie foods can cause weight gain, but they also include extra lipids that can harm a person's heart and blood vessels. Foods that are heavy in sugar and salt should be avoided.
Overview
An underweight person is more likely to experience complications such as bone, tooth, and fertility issues.
A healthy BMI should be the goal of everyone. Working with a medical practitioner can assist a person in attaining and maintaining a healthy weight.
References
- https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/managing-your-weight/advice-for-underweight-adults/
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003107.htm
- https://www.womenshealth.gov/healthy-weight/underweight