Thinness
Underweight, like over, is a relative terms, being
based on the ideal weight for a given height, built and sex. A person can be
regarded as moderately underweight if he or she weighs 10 per cent below the
ideal body weight and markedly so if 20 per cent below the ideal. Appropriate body weight is among the
most important physical attributes and has a deep influence upon the health and
personality of an individual. For a healthy body, weight slightly above the
average is favorable up to the age of 30 years, as it serves as a good defense measure
against certain diseases, especially tuberculosis. Between 30 and 40 years of
age, the endeavor should be to maintain the weight at the average level as
during this period, many future diseases have their beginning. After the age of
40, it will be advisable to keep the weight slightly below the average, so as
to lighten the burden on the heart, kidney and other vital organs.
There are two types of thin people. One type is wiry
and energetic, who eat heartily but never put on weight. Presumably, they burn
up energy due to constant activity. Such persons need not worry as chances are
that they do not have any disease as such. The other type of thin persons lack
energy and drive, are unable to take normal meals and find that rich food
usually makes them sick. Their body lacks fat cells thus providing no storage
place for added fat and the calories they consume are probably wasted.
Symptoms
Underweight due to an inadequate caloric in take is a
serious condition, especially in the young. They often feel easily fatigued,
have poor physical stamina and lowered resistance to infection. Diseases like
tuberculosis, respiratory disorders, pneumonia, circulatory diseases like heart
disorders, cerebral hemorrhage, nepthritis, typhoid fever and cancer are quite
common among them. The occurrence of the complications of pregnancy in your
women may result from malnutrition due to an inadequate energy intake.
Causes
Thinness may be due to inadequate nutrition or
excessive bodily activity or both. Emotional factors or bad habits such as
skipped meals, small meals, habitual fasting and inadequate exercise are some
of the other causes of thinness. Other factors include inadequate digestion and
absorption of food due to a wrong dietary pattern for a particular metabolism;
metabolic disturbances such as an overactive thyroid and hereditary tendencies.
Disorders such as chronic dyspepsia, chronic diarrhea presence of parasites
like tapeworm in the alimentary canal, liver disorders, diabetes mellitus,
insomnia, constipation, and sexual disorders can also lead to thinness.
Treatment
Diet plays an important role in building up health
for gaining weight. Nutrients which help keep the nerves relaxes are of utmost
importance as nervousness causes all the muscles to become tense and the energy
which goes into the tenseness wastefully uses up a great deal of food. Although
all vitamins and minerals are required for a sound health the most important
ones are vitamin D and B6, calcium and magnesium. The richest sources of
vitamin D are milk, cod liver oil and the rays of the sun. Calcium is also
supplied by milk and yogurt.
Magnesium can be obtained from green leafy vegetables
such as spinach, parsley, turnip, radish and beet tops. These vegetables should
preferably be taken in salad former should be lightly cooked. Lack of appetite
can result from an inadequate supply of vitamin B, which leads to low production
of hydrochloric acid by the stomach. Hydrochloric acid is essential for the
digestion of food and absorption of vitamins and minerals into the blood. It is,
therefore, necessary that the daily diet should be rich in vitamin B for normal
appetite. Proper digestion and absorption of foods and regular elimination.
Foods rich in vitamin B are all whole grain cereals, blackstrap molasses, nuts,
soybean, eggs and butter. Vegetable oil is of special value to those wishing to
gain weight as it is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids.
Underweight persons should eat frequent small meals
as they tend to feel full quickly. Meals may be divided into six small ones
instead of three big ones. These may consist of three smaller meals and three
substantial snacks between them. The weight-building quality of a food is measured
by the number of calories it contains. To gain weight, the diet should include
more calories than are used in daily activities so as to allow the excess to be
stored as body fat. The allowance of 500 calories in excess of the daily
average needs is estimated to provide for a weight gain of one pound weekly.
All refined foods such as products containing white
flour and sugar should be avoided, as they destroy health. Excessive intake of
refined carbohydrates and fats may help the individual to put on weight but
this will be detrimental to general health. The diet should be tilted towards alkaline-forming
foods such as fruits and vegetables. Alkaline foods should comprise 80 per cent
of the diet. The other 20 per cent should consist of acid forming foods such as
cereals, and lentils. Beverages containing caffeine like soft drinks, coffee
and tea should be curtailed.
Smoking should be given up. Water should not be taken
with meals but half an hour before or one hour after meals.
Milk Cure
An exclusive milk diet for rapid gain of weight has
been advocated by some nature cure practitioners. In the beginning of this mode
of treatment, the patient should fast for three days on warm water and like
juice so as to cleanse the system. Thereafter, he should have a glass of milk
every two hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. the first day, a glass every hour and
half the next day, and a glass every hour the third day. Then the quantity of
milk should be gradually increased so as to take a glass every half an hour
from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. If such a quantity can be tolerated fairly comfortably.
The milk should be fresh and unboiled , but may be slightly warmed, if desired.
It should be sipped very slowly through a straw. The milk should be
unpasteurised, if possible.
Figs are an excellent food remedy for increasing
weight in case of thinness. The high percentage of rapidly assimilable sugar,
make them a strengthening and fattening food. Regular exercises like walking
and dancing, yoga, meditation and massage are also important as they serve as
relaxants, reduce stress and induce good sleep.
Yogasanas which will be especially helpful are
sarvangasana, halasana and matsyasana. A balanced diet together with adequate
exercise, rest ,emotional balance and the absence of acute diseases will enable
an underweight person to build a healthy body and to put on weight.
Source: www.healthlibrary.com through www.scribd.com
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