We have been told over and over that being overweight is unhealthy. But, we never hear about the unhealthy aspects of being thin.
Are there risks of being too thin?
Of course, a person can be too thin (underweight) with a BMI under 18.5. Once a person's BMI drops below 18.5 the risk factors soar.
Here is a list of risks you put yourself at when your BMI nears the underweight range:
Osteopenia/Osteoporosis: 1 in 2 women are likely to get osteoporosis later in life. Being thin puts a woman at greater risk for breaking bones later in life. Since thin women carry around fewer pounds, they put less stress on the bones and joints which does not help bone growth. In addition, thin women have less fat mass and therefore, produce less estrogen. Estrogen is the key to maintaining healthy bones.Infertility: Both thin men and women are at risk for infertility. Again, not having enough fat mass causes disruption is hormone production leading to disrupted menstrual cycles for women, and lower sperm counts for men.Inflammation and Decreased Immune System: As the body begins to detect malnourishment, the immune system becomes weakened and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to inflammation. When the body is working on maintaining proper nourishment, it is hard to maintain a healthy immune system when you don't have all the macro and micronutrients needed.If someone is underweight, it is generally easier to gain a few pounds than to lose a few pounds. A few extra snacks, adding some strength exercises, and adding a few more nutrient-dense foods in the day is all it takes sometimes. It is better to maintain a healthy weight, and to be thin (not underweight) by today's standards than to be overweight. Finally, it is imprtant to ask your doctor to decide on how healthy your weight really is.
