Feelings of jubilation and accomplishment typically accompany any significant weight loss. If weight loss is unplanned and unwanted, however, it can signify health problems. Several health complications--both physical and psychological--involve unexplained weight loss as a symptom. When your body communicates with you in this way, follow up with your doctor or health practitioner immediately.
Malnutrition and Malabsorption
Malnutrition is the simplest explanation for a drop in body weight, and the first place to look. It can occur when there is not enough variety in the diet, or when chosen foods have high caloric value but net almost nothing nutritionally--the classic empty calorie syndrome.
Malabsorption occurs when a disease interferes with the body's ability to digest and absorb required nutrients from ingested foods. Multiple conditions underlie malabsorption, according to the American Association of Clinical Chemistry, including gluten intolerance in the small intestine, or celiac disease; pancreatic insufficiency, wherein the pancreas can neither produce nor transport enough digestive enzymes to break down food, and pernicious anemia, a disease which obstructs the absorption of Vitamin B12.
Depression
Undesired weight loss can be a corollary of undiagnosed depression, says the Mayo Clinic, as depression often results in decreased appetite or a loss of interest in eating. Depression typically has a late onset--in the late 20s--but can also occur in children, teens and older adults.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease comprises two illnesses: Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. Both are chronic disorders that affect either the digestive or gastrointestinal tract, and both often manifest weight loss as an early symptom. According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, ileocolitis, the most common form of Crohn's, especially triggers drastic weight loss.
HIV
It is well known that many HIV sufferers can go for years showing no symptoms at all. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rapid and unexplained weight loss can indicate advanced HIV infection. The only way to know for sure is to get tested.
Cancer
Cancerous cells burn up a lot of the body's energy; they can also alter how the body utilizes energy from food. According to the American Cancer Society, an inexplicable weight loss of 10 lbs. or more can herald a cancerous growth. This is most often true with cancers of the stomach, esophagus, pancreas, and lung.
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