Being underweight: an often overlooked issue

Hey everyone,

A lot of people on this forum are talking about how they would like to lose weight, and that's great. You do you; do whatever you have to do to make yourself happy!

However, many people struggle with the reverse problem. Many women (and men, but not the focus of this app) struggle to gain and keep on weight. I fit in this demographic. I'm 23 years old, 5'7" and 99 pounds. My BMI is 15.35. My body fat percentage is 11.5%.

This is not healthy and should not be anyone's goal. BMI below 16.5 is a sign doctors check for when diagnosing patients with anorexia nervosa. At my height and age, my minimum healthy weight should be at least 120 pounds. I have never been over 112 in my life. I have to keep track of my calories to make sure I'm eating enough every day.

You may wish you had this problem, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows. I don't look like a model. I look like a skeleton with skin stretched over it. I am at serious risk for health problems, and two months ago I was nearly hospitalized. My weight is considered dangerously low, and I'm working to improve it after years of indifference.

Monitoring calorie intake and including exercise are good for weight maintenance, but be sure you are not restricting too much. There are calculators online to help you figure out your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure - AKA how many calories you typically burn from just being alive and doing your regular activities). There are calculators online to help you figure out where to set your calorie limits so you will lose weight at a healthy pace (generally around 1 pound, maybe 2 per week). There are tracking applications available for computers and mobile phones that will help you determine how many calories you burned through exercise and consumed through food and drinks. There are also several sites that can tell you the guidelines of what is considered a healthy weight for your height, age, and gender. Some even go as far as including the size of your frame (i.e. your bone structure). The internet is plentiful in resources to help you get to where you want to be in a healthy way!

Be careful trying fad diets. Eating less calories does not and should not mean you have to deprive yourself of nutrients and happiness. You don't have to cut out foods you enjoy either, but limiting "junk" foods will help you eat a higher volume of foods that will nourish your body and keep you full for longer while staying within your calorie limits.

Make sure your goal weight is healthy and that your journey to it is safe. Use the resources available to you to empower yourself and make your effort the best it can be.

Good luck, everyone, with whatever your goal may be!