People diagnosed with underweight are recommended to include porridge, cereals, pasta, baked goods, fruits, avocados, seeds and fatty fish in their diet. Armine Afonina, endocrinologist and nutritionist at SM-Clinic, told socialbites.ca.
“Underweight is diagnosed if the body mass index (BMI) is below 18.5. BMI can be calculated using a special formula: weight (in kg) divided by height (in m) squared. “There are special online calculators that allow you to do this,” he explained.
It is necessary to maintain normal weight to prevent the development of conditions such as: reduced immunity and frequent inflammatory processes; rapid fatigue and decreased performance; depression, nervous breakdown and irritability; muscle weakness – sarcopenia; decrease in the production of steroid hormones and, as a result, the development of infertility in both men (decreased sperm production) and women (menstrual irregularities); progression of chronic diseases; disruption of phosphorus-calcium metabolism – prolonged lack of body weight can lead to osteoporosis and bone fractures.
“The main causes of body weight deficiency are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, chronic pancreatitis with impaired secretory function, intestinal dysbiosis), endocrine diseases (decompensated diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, hyperfunction of the thyroid gland), helminthic and parasitic diseases, increased intake and expenditure of kilocalories “Imbalance, psychological disorders,” he added.
According to the doctor, if you are underweight, this is a reason to consult an endocrinologist and gastroenterologist.
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