Weight Gain |
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While some people suffer from obesity
and struggle to lose their excess weight,
other people find it equally challenging
to gain a few pounds. Obesity is such
a common problem that you might be wondering
why anyone would want to gain weight.
There are a few
obvious circumstances that explain why
some people need to gain weight. Some
individuals are naturally thin and must
gain a few pounds to look healthy, feel
energetic, and boost their self-confidence.
Physical illnesses can result in excessive
weight loss, which requires an individual
to follow a weight gain plan to obtain
his or her original figure.
Eating disorders such as anorexia and
bulimia can result in massive weight
loss that may even ultimately be fatal.
Elderly individuals are also prone to
weight loss because their appetite is
reduced, their mobility is limited,
and their metabolism is lowered. Other
factors that lead to unnatural weight
loss are poor eating habits, lack of
nutrition in the diet, substance abuse
(recreational drugs, nicotine, alcohol),
stress, malnutrition (can be because
of poverty), genetics, diseases such
as cancer or diabetes, and over-exercising.
Just as
being overweight is a matter of concern,
being underweight is also a serious
condition. In women, being grossly underweight
can result in amenorrhea (absence of
menstruation) and possible complications
during pregnancy. It can also cause
anemia and hair loss and eventually
lead to osteoporosis, impaired immune
system, and weakened muscles.
The
term "underweight" is used
to describe a condition wherein the
body weight of an individual is exceptionally
lower than what it should be in relation
to the height. According to the World
Health Organization, people with a BMI
(body mass index) below 18.5 kg/m2 tend
to be underweight. BMI is a simple index
of weight-for-height that is commonly
used in classifying overweight, obesity,
and underweight in adults. It is defined
as the weight in kilograms divided by
the square of the height in meters (kg/m2).
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