Eating at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. Basing meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates. Choose wholegrain where possible. Having some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks and yoghurts).
Even if you are underweight, try to avoid foods with a lot of added sugar, fat and salt, like cakes, takeaway foods and sugary drinks. You can put on weight by eating small meals frequently throughout the day. Try to snack on healthy, high energy foods like cheese, nuts, milk-based smoothies and dried fruit.
People who are underweight may need to eat more often to consume enough calories to gain weight. This is especially true if you don't have a very big appetite. Aim for six small meals spread throughout the day instead of trying to pack more into three meals.
If your BMI is below 18.5, this suggests that your weight may be too low. If you're underweight, or you're concerned that someone you know is, tell a GP or practice nurse.
A person does not need to be underweight to have anorexia. Larger-bodied individuals can also have anorexia. However, they may be less likely to be diagnosed due to cultural stigma against fat and obesity. In addition, someone can be underweight without having anorexia.
If you have a high metabolic rate, you may be able to eat much more than others and still not gain weight. Genes are just one variable that influence your BMR. Others include your age, height, starting weight, physical activity level and muscle mass percentage.
under 18.5kg/m2 – you are considered underweight and possibly malnourished. 18.5 to 24.9kg/m2 – you are within a healthy weight range for young and middle-aged adults. 25.0 to 29.9kg/m2 – you are considered overweight.
A high metabolism.
If a person has a high metabolism, they may not gain much weight even when eating high-energy foods.
It may be that you have a fast metabolism (meaning your body burns energy from food at a fast rate than the people around you) or you're just naturally slender. For some people, underlying health conditions and certain medications and treatments can make it difficult to reach and/or maintain a healthy weight.
A BMI of between 20 and 25 kg/m2 is considered to be ideal for good health. A BMI of over 25 kg/m2 might suggest that you are overweight. A BMI of less than 20 kg/m2 indicates that you might be slightly underweight and at increased risk of malnutrition.
Being underweight is not good for you. It can leave you with low energy and affect your immune system. This means you could pick up colds and other infections more easily. Plus, you may be missing out on important vitamins and minerals like calcium and iron, which you need to grow and develop.
BMI values of less than 18.5 kg/m2 are considered underweight. BMI values between 18.5 kg/m2 to 24.9 kg/m2 are healthy. BMI values between 25 kg/m2 to 30 kg/m2 are overweight. BMI values greater than 40 kg/m2 are considered obese.
A person's build depends largely on genetic factors, which is why it is difficult for a naturally thin person to put on weight. The human body can change to a limited extent through weight training and increased food intake. Gaining or regaining weight can be just as difficult as losing weight.
Low body weight is due to a variety of causes, including: Genetics. If you've been thin since high school and it runs in your family, it's likely that you were born with a higher-than-usual metabolism. You also may have a naturally small appetite.
A normal BMI for an adult is 18.5-25. Above that you are overweight and below that you are underweight. Adults with anorexia have a BMI below 17.5.
Low Body Weight
The Academy of Eating Disorders recommends inpatient treatment for anyone at or below 75% of their ideal body weight.
Being underweight, in another work, was found to have psychological effects, e.g., getting irritated easily and having inflexible thinking, impaired concentration, difficulty in making decisions, physical effects, and withdraw socially (Fairburn, 2008).
A BMI below 13.5 can lead to organ failure, while a BMI below 12 can be life-threatening.
Compared to normal weight, underweight was associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.14-1.65).