Your body weight is important to your health. You can have serious problems if you are overweight, but you can also have underlying health problems if you are underweight. A body mass index, or BMI, below 18.5 indicates that you are too small for your size and classifies you as underweight.
Body Mass Index
The body mass index is a calculation that uses your height and your body weight to determine if you are in a healthy weight range. Take your current weight and multiply it by 703. Then divide that number by your height in inches, and then divide that answer a second time by your height in inches to get your BMI. Compare it to the five BMI categories to see where your weight classifies you.
Solutions
A BMI below 18.5 classifies you as underweight. MayoClinic.com has some healthy ways to add extra calories to your diet. The first step is to eat more frequently and increase the number of meals you eat each day to five or six. Second, consume nutrient-rich foods such as pasta, whole-grain bread, fruits and vegetables. Third, add protein shakes and smoothies that contain ample calories to your daily diet. These should be consumed at least 30 minutes after or before you eat to avoid making you too full. The fourth recommendation is to eat calorie-dense snack foods such as peanut butter, nuts, meats and cheese. MayoClinic.com also recommends that you eat treats throughout the day to help you increase your caloric intake. Some examples include bran muffins, yogurt, fruit pies and granola bars. Be sure to exercise; it can increase your muscle mass, which increases your weight, and it may stimulate your appetite.
Underlying Health Problems
Although you may be underweight because you do not consume enough calories, there are some underlying health problems that can also lead to a low body weight. These causes include thyroid problems, cancer, infectious diseases and digestive diseases, as well as the use of certain medicines. If you have sudden unexplained weight loss, then you need to see your doctor to determine the cause.
Considerations
A healthy BMI is in the range of above 18.5 to 24.9. If your BMI increases over 25.0, then you are overweight. It is important to eat the types of foods that will help you gain weight, but it is also important to maintain that weight without increasing it to an unhealthy level. If you are unsure of where to start with your weight gain, talk with your doctor about working with a dietitian who can help you plan a flexible meal plan that works for you.
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