Underweight

As an underweight body weight recorded at a body mass index ( BMI) below 18.5. Especially in developing countries, many people are suffering because not enough food is available or lack the financial means to buy food.

Also, anorexia ( anorexia nervosa), chronic diseases ( eg inflammatory bowel disease ) and often hyperthyroidism can lead to underweight.

However, it is important that being underweight does not mean equal malnutrition. Underweight can also be quite simple assessment. As long as there is a sufficient, normal diet and no symptoms of deficiency of vitamins occur, etc., is also that which, according to BMI is underweight, normal for the person concerned and does not necessarily go hand in hand with the below mentioned symptoms.

Symptoms and complaints

Underweight is characterized by a loss of adipose tissue and partly of muscle tissue. The constant malnutrition weakens the body and leads to a lack of vital nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. It can develop nutritional edema. In addition, underweight often complain of reduced work productivity, fatigue, decreased visual acuity, chest pain, loss of appetite and difficulty concentrating.

Children are particularly affected, because the constant shortage affected the growth and mental development.

Consequences and complications

Persistent Underweight weakens the human body, leading to deficiency symptoms and slows the metabolism. In extreme cases, the wasting death. In children, growth is slowed. In women, menstrual bleeding may not occur and as a result be reduced fertility.

Underweight also promotes the development of osteoporosis, even in younger people. This is a particularly insidious effect, for people concerned feel nothing about it, they can feel completely fit and, for example, excellent endurance athletes. After the appearance of the first spontaneous fractures the damage is often already no longer curable.