Summaryīeing underweight can negatively affect your health. What’s more, people who are underweight are much more likely to get sarcopenia (age-related muscle wasting) and may be at greater risk of dementia ( 17, 18).įor children, it can also lead to growth and development problems ( 19).
One study found that clinically underweight individuals have nearly two times the risk of death compared to obese individuals, suggesting that being underweight may be worse for your health than being obese ( 11).Īdditionally, another study found that self-reported health outcomes fell significantly in underweight individuals after the age of 38, indicating that a low BMI later in life may come with increased health risks ( 12).īeing underweight can impair your immune function, raise your risk of infection, lead to osteoporosis and fractures and cause fertility problems ( 13, 14, 15, 16). It’s important to eat mostly healthy foods even when you’re trying to gain weight.īeing underweight can be harmful to your health. This article outlines simple strategies to quickly gain weight - without increasing your risk of disease. To gain weight healthily, focus on eating more nutrient-dense foods and living an overall healthy lifestyle that involves exercising, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress, if you can. If you’re underweight and looking to gain weight, it’s very important to do it right.Ĭonsuming soda, donuts, and other junk foods may help you gain weight initially, but it can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer ( 1, 2, 3).Ī healthier approach to gaining weight involves gaining a balanced amount of muscle mass and subcutaneous fat rather than a lot of unhealthy belly fat ( 4).Ī recent animal study suggests that belly fat specifically may be correlated with increased cancer risk ( 5).Ī high percentage of body fat also increases your chances of developing type 2 diabetes and other health problems, even if you are not overweight ( 6, 7).
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