Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition

Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition 3(2+1)

Lesson 32:Underweight– causes, symptoms and dietary management

Limitation of underweight

• Adults with BMI < 18.5 have reduced VO2 max, reduced capacity for sustained heavy work and a lower productivity.
• Pregnant women show a proportional increase in the risk of an underweight baby born in relation to post-partum BMI and the BMI ranges from 25 to 16 or less.
• Progressively greater proportions of time are spent off work or in bed ill when BMI levels are below 17 in men and women.
• There is a progressive curvilinear increase in mortality in group of men with BMI ranging from 18.5 to below 16.0.
• Immunological defects are seen particularly in men with low BMI concomitant micronutrient deficiencies are present.
• Undernourished children have lower height and weight.
• The age of menarche is delayed in undernourished girls by 1-2 years.