Does Being Too Thin Pose Heavy Health Risks?

1. People who are too thin often feel tired and drained.
True False

2. Body mass index (BMI) can confirm if you have too much body fat, but it can’t show if you’re underweight.
True False

3. Being too thin can cause weak bones.
True False

1. True. Being too thin is one cause of fatigue. And among women, those who are too thin often fail to have menstrual periods or only have occasional periods. That’s because low body weight causes the body to stop making the hormone estrogen.

2. False. BMI can indicate if you are underweight as well as overweight. Here’s how to figure out your BMI:

• First determine your height in inches. Multiply that number by that same number. Example: 65 x 65 = 4225.
• Now, take the answer and divide your weight in pounds by it. Example: 120 4 4225 = 0.0284023.
• Multiply this number by 703. The answer is your BMI. Example: 0.0284023 x 703 = 19.966816.

If your BMI is less than 18.5, you are considered underweight.

3. True. People who are dangerously thin can develop osteoporosis—even in their 20s. This means they have weak, brittle bones that break easily.In addition, many people who are underweight have eating disorders. The health risks of eating disorders range from dry skin and brittle nails to swollen joints, heart failure, brain damage—and even death. One such eating disorder is anorexia nervosa. People with anorexia have an irrational fear of gaining weight, though they weigh at least 15% less than others of the same height and age.

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