People who are underweight can benefit from a balanced intake that includes porridge, cereals, pasta, baked goods, fruits, avocados, seeds, and fatty fish, according to Armine Afonina, an endocrinologist and nutritionist at SM-Clinic, as reported to socialbites.ca.
Underweight is defined when the body mass index (BMI) falls below 18.5. BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters. There are online tools that perform this calculation, a point highlighted by the clinician.
Maintaining a normal weight is important to prevent multiple health issues such as weakened immunity and more frequent inflammatory responses; early fatigue and reduced physical performance; mood disturbances including depression and irritability; decreased muscle strength known as sarcopenia; disruptions in the production of steroid hormones which can contribute to infertility in both men and women; progression of chronic diseases; and problems with phosphorus-calcium metabolism that can lead to osteoporosis and fractures if weight remains low over time.
The doctor identifies several main causes of underweight. These include diseases of the gastrointestinal tract—such as peptic ulcers in the stomach andduodenum, chronic pancreatitis with impaired secretory function, and dysbiosis of the intestines—along with endocrine disorders like inadequately controlled diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, and thyroid overactivity. Parasitic infections and an overall imbalance between kilocalorie intake and expenditure can also play a role, as can psychological disorders. These factors can act alone or in combination to reduce body weight and complicate nutritional status. (citation attribution: SM-Clinic)
For individuals who are underweight, a consultation with an endocrinologist and a gastroenterologist is advised to determine underlying causes and to tailor a recovery plan.
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