Thinness
Underweight like
over, is a
relative term, being based on the ideal weight for a given height,
built
and sex. A person can be regarded as moderately underweight if he or
she
weighs 10% below the ideal body weight.
Appropriate body
weight is
among the most important physical attributes and has a deep influence
upon
the health and personality of an individual. For a healthy body, weight
slightly above the average is favorable up to the age of 30 years, as
it
serves as a good defense measure against certain diseases, especially
tuberculosis.
Between 30 and 40 years of age, the endeavor should be to maintain the
weight at the average level as during this period, many future diseases
have their beginning. After the age of 40, it will be advisable to keep
the weight slightly below the average, so as to lighten the burden on
the
heart, kidney and other vital organs.
There are two
types of thin
people. One type is wiry and energetic, who eat heartily but never put
on weight. Presumably, they burn up energy due to constant activity.
Such
persons need not worry as chances are that they do not have any disease
as such. The other type of thin persons lack energy and drie, are
unable
to take normal meals and find that rich food usually makes them sick.
Their
body lacks fat cells thus providing no storage place for added fat and
the calories they consume are probably wasted.
Symptoms
Underweight due to
an inadequate
caloric in take is a serious condition, especially in the young. They
often
feel easily fatigued, have poor physical stamina and lowered resistance
to infection. Diseases like tuberculosis, respiratory disorders,
pneumonia,
and circulatory diseases like heart disorders, cerebral hemorrhage,
nephritis,
typhoid fever and cancer are quite common among them. The occurrence of
the complications of pregnancy in your women may result from
malnutrition
due to an inadequate energy intake.
Causes
Thinness may be due
to inadequate
nutrition or excessive bodily activity or both. Emotional factors or
bad
habits such as skipped meals, small meals, habitual fasting and
inadequate
exercise are some of the other causes of thinness. Other factors
include
inadequate digestion and absorption of food due to a wrong dietary
pattern
for a particular metabolism; metabolic disturbances such as an
overactive
thyroid and hereditary tendencies. Disorders such as chronic dyspepsia,
chronic diarrhea presence of parasites like tapeworm in the alimentary
canal, liver disorders, diabetes mellitus, insomnia, constipation, and
sexual disorders can also lead to thinness.
Treatment
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