Understanding Weight Gain
Ideal weight gain is the process of deliberately and healthily increasing body mass in a controlled fashion. It is important to understand that weight gain not only includes overall mass gain, but it comprises of development of muscle mass and attaining a harmonious physique.
How the Body Builds Muscle?
Due to resistance training, the tearing of muscle fibre takes place. Hormones like testosterone, HGH and IGF-1 heal muscles by fusing them which is called muscle hypertrophy. This enhances the size of the muscles, making them thicker and stronger.
Causes of Difficulty in Gaining Weight
Fast metabolism, insufficient caloric intake, extra resistance workouts or physical activity, medical conditions like hyperthyroidism and gastrointestinal disorders, genetic imbalances, and emotional factors like anxiety, stress and depression.
How Common is it?
of adults and children in India are suffering from malnutrition
of children in India experience wasting (severe malnutrition)
of Indians (mostly children below 5 years) are underweight
of women go through CED (Chronic Energy Deficiency)
Want to find out more? We worked with our doctors to create this Ultimate Guide to WG
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Weight Gain: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
For some, it may seem fascinating that one is not able to gain weight even after binge eating. Weight management can be super tough, and therefore, someone blessed with a perfect lean body appears to be a boon. The fascination comes to an end when such a body demands a huge price to pay. People with naturally lean bodies tend to have more internal complications than what it seems outside. Moreover, weight gain becomes so difficult in such cases that it takes a lot of time to get that aesthetic body. The diseases that occur due to low body weightWhat is Underweight?
There are a lot many complications related to body weight, other than just being overweight and obese. The ones who fall on the low body weight side do not always enjoy perks and also face a lot of problems. Being underweight is majorly not having enough nutrition in the body. it can be the reason for other health issues. Some of them include:- Nutrition and vitamin deficiency
- Lack of haemoglobin leading to anaemia
- Hampered immune function
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Problems while conceiving
- High risks related to surgical procedures
- Lack of appropriate growth as per weight and height
How Common is Underweight?
A considerable amount of the population in India is underweight. Almost 31% of adults and children in India suffer from malnutrition. The population not only considers children below the poverty line who do not get proper access to food but also the ones with body problems leading to the inability to gain weight. As much as 44.5% of Indians, majorly including children under the age of 5 years are underweight. Moreover, 17% of children in India lie on the edge of extreme malnutrition. Treatment for underweight adults also becomes a challenge.Symptoms of Being Underweight
Just like obesity can bring other problems along, being underweight is also related to a number of problems. Majorly your body is not able to get the right and complete amount of nutrients to sustain which leads to a number of other problems. Symptoms such as anaemia can be further related to fatigue, dry skin, breathlessness, low stamina, thinning of hair and palpitations. Various other complications are also accompanied by such symptoms. It is important to spot such problems so that the right diagnosis can tell you whether you’re underweight or not. Some of them include:Light Headedness
A person with low body mass may experience lightheadedness and feel dizzy. This is due to a lack of energy inside the body.Fatigue
Fatigue is the first and foremost symptom that occurs due to a lack of appropriate mass in the body. It is directly related to the fact that lack of nutrients and energy inside the body leading to being underweight is the reason behind fatigue since there is no stored energy inside the body to be utilised.Low Immunity
Underweight weakens the ability of the body to fight infections. Therefore, those with less body weight are more likely to have poor immunity than those with normal body weight.Low Haemoglobin
Low haemoglobin or anaemia is due to a lack of minerals like iron due to a deficiency of the right diet. Since haemoglobin distributes oxygen to different parts of the body, a lack of HB leads to a lack of energy.Disturbed Menstrual Cycle
The lack of regulated hormones in underweight females is responsible for delayed or prolonged menstruation. Menstruation may also occur before time and remain disturbed for years.Infertility
The overall hormonal balance inside the bodies of underweight women is disturbed. The irregularity of hormonal secretion directly affects the reproductive system. In worst cases, it can also lead to infertilityOsteoporosis
Osteoporosis is low bone mineral density usually seen in women after the age of 30 and 35. It is also commonly seen in underweight people. The risk of osteoporosis is increased with underweight due to a lack of the right minerals. It makes bone weak, brittle and more susceptible to injuries.Causes of Weight Loss or Underweight
There are various underlying causes for underweight. Some of these can be controlled by small efforts and some need external help like therapy and medicines for weight gain treatment. The major ones include:Malnutrition
The major cause seen nowadays responsible for being underweight is malnutrition. The term malnutrition simply means lack of nutrition. It is an umbrella term which not only includes people underweight but also overweight people. The reason for the same is obese people who eat a lot of junk and fast food that lacks essential nutrients and minerals. The body can be malnourished if it is not getting the right amount of nutrition. However, this problem is most commonly seen in underweight people. This problem can further lead to a lack of stamina, low energy, lightheadedness and irregular menstruation. Medicine for weight gain for male and female almost work the same.Chronic Energy Deficiency
As the name suggests, chronic energy deficiency is a deficiency of energy for a long period of time. The reasons for the same can be any, including a person's habit of eating less and not the right foods. The complications lead to impairment of the immune system and delayed immune response. It further leads to weakness and can be extremely dangerous.Mineral Deficiency
Most of the time the person falls underweight due to mineral deficiency. If the person is not taking the right diet and is devoid of essential minerals for a very long period of time then the weight of the person may fall drastically. Mineral deficiency can overall hamper the quality of life since the person would feel less energised to do any work.Poor Appetite
One major cause of underweight or weight loss is poor appetite. If the person is not enough to fulfil the daily required calorie intake and is burning more calories then he/she may likely fall on the underweight side. It is better to eat less but not eating enough has its own side effects. Therefore, having a balanced diet is important.Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism refers to excessive secretion of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism is linked to various side effects, one of which is excessive weight loss. Thyroid hormone control and help in getting back to the healthy weight side.Diabetes
Diabetes includes either a lack of insulin production or the body's inability to utilise the insulin to break glucose. In both cases, one major side effect is loss of body weight. Since the body is not able to use up the glucose, it starts burning the muscle and fat for energy requirements. The resultant effect is extreme weight drop, dizziness and fatigue. Danietes management can be done using appropriate treatments and medications.Bad Mental State
Extreme stress and anxiety due to personal or professional life problems can also lead to extreme weight loss. One main reason for this is that you tend to develop bad eating habits. Eating at odd times, loss of appetite and eating unhealthy is the main reason behind weight loss.Eating Disorder
Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia can trigger consciousness of weight and trigger weight loss. The problem exists in the head and leads to the person working towards losing weight. The extreme conscious mind tends to direct the person to fear weight gain even if the patient is extremely thin.Alcohol Misuse
Alcohol misuse is related to weight gain as it adds on the calories and you tend to take in more calories in a day than what is required. But in cases where the alcohol dependency is very high, there is a high possibility of weight loss. It is not because the person is taking in extra calories but because the person tends to skip eating and some days not eat at all. It eventually triggers weight loss since now the person is not consuming anything for energy.Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Body Dysmorphic Disorder or BDD is a disorder in which the person becomes extremely conscious about their body weight. The body mass index of the person is usually perfectly fine and the person does not require any weight alterations, yet is encouraged to lose weight. The main reason for this is the person is afraid of weight gain and constantly thinks that he/she is overweight already leading to excess weight loss.High Metabolism
Although having a good metabolism may sound good, it may not always work in your favour. People having extremely high metabolism are able to use more energy compared to ones with low metabolism. Therefore even after eating a lot, the person is not able to gain weight and instead drops weight more often.Diagnosing if You’re Underweight or Not
In order to diagnose whether you are underweight or not one can take a number of tests as suggested by the physician. The foremost test includes a physical examination. A lot of physicians recommend checking BMI to see if one is underweight or not. The measurements for BMI are:- Underweight: Less than 18.5
- Optimum range: 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight: 25 to 29.9
- Displacement plethysmography
- Measurement of skin thickness using skinfold caterpillars
- Gauging the circumference of the waist
- Checking HB with the help of a simple blood test
- Bone density diagnosis
- Checking reproductive hormones with the help of blood tests
- Diagnosing levels of insulin
Weight Gain Treatment for Underweight
Weight gain treatment or weight gain therapy is not only required for thin people to look aesthetically good but also because underweight individuals tend to face more complications. It is important to keep your body healthy and not just externally fit. Here are some weight gain treatment ways for people constantly dropping weight:Improving Eating Habits:
In order to improve eating habits one must start indulging in healthy food in diet instead of foods lacking nutrition. Instead of eating junk every now and then, one should shift to a diet high in starch like natural sugars and foods high in unrefined carbohydrates and fibre. Such categories of foods mainly include brown bread, brown rice, potatoes and high portions of fruits and vegetables. Underweight treatment is possible by eating right. One should avoid processed foods such as biscuits, cakes, and fast food high in saturated fat content. One should switch to foods that have unsaturated fats. You can also increase your daily dairy consumption which includes drinking buttermilk, milk, and organic butter. Try eating less spicy food to keep your metabolism balanced.Stop Skipping Meals:
Skipping meals is not recommended for people having low body weight. Instead one should take out time to prepare healthy meals for themselves. Eating in the right quantity promotes gaining the right weight and falls under natural remedies for weight gain.Shift to Healthy Weight Gainers:
In order to increase body mass, one can shift to healthy weight gainers like shakes. They may include fruit shakes and smoothies that include banana, peanut butter, oats and egg which promotes healthy weight gain. One can also take natural protein powders which can be added to milk and promote healthy weight gain. They also promote your HDL which is good cholesterol and reduce LDL i.e. bad cholesterol. Supplements and medicine to gain weight is also available.Avoid Drinking Before Eating:
Drinking before eating makes your stomach feel fuller. It is good when your aim is to reduce weight but for weight gain, it is not recommended. After drinking if your stomach feels fuller, you tend to consume fewer calories and therefore the daily requirement of calories is not fulfilled.Eat in Regular Intervals But Eat Less:
It is always better to keep your stomach full. One should not overeat and take small proportions. It is important to have a meal after every short interval. Taking in small portions will gradually help you consume more calories if you keep short intervals in between. There is no efficient medicine for gaining weight and muscle, one has to work on overall health.Get More Active:
Although it may sound counterproductive, getting outside and keeping yourself more active helps in favour. It is important for weight gain equally as it is for weight loss. One who tends to indulge more in activities like weight gain and cardio gains muscle mass. It also helps in stabilising the metabolism and increases appetite. Hormonal weight gain treatment is not recommended since it hampers the normal hormonal pathway.Prevention of Weight Loss
There may not be major preventive measures to save you before you drop extreme weight but one can always take care of health to maintain good body weight. Sometimes body weight might not be in control since genes play a role and restrict weight gain. For families in which a thin body runs in the bloodline, it becomes a bit difficult to control weight but can still be worked on. Some preventive measures to take before you go down the BMI include:- Maintaining a good diet
- Avoid skipping meals
- Take the help of a nutritionist who can make a diet chat including appropriate nutrition
- Taking less stress and managing mental health
- Hitting the gym and focusing on gaining muscle mass
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How can I overcome my difficulty in gaining weight and building muscle effectively?
To address weight gain effectively, focus on increasing your daily caloric intake with a balanced diet that includes carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. This approach will support muscle growth and overall nourishment. Consistency in strength training exercises is crucial for noticeable muscle development and achieving your weight gain goals.
What dietary changes can I make to promote healthy weight gain and meet my nutritional needs?
On your weight gain journey, adjusting your food intake is crucial. Include calorie-dense foods such as nuts, avocados, seeds, dairy products, whole grains, and lean meats. Distribute meals and snacks evenly throughout the day to ensure a consistent flow of essential nutrients. Additionally, incorporate protein sources like fish, chicken, eggs, and lentils. Staying hydrated is important, so drink plenty of water and avoid sugary beverages and carbonated drinks.
What are some potential underlying factors or medical conditions that could be causing my difficulty in gaining weight?
Factors that may hinder weight gain include metabolism, genetics, medical conditions, and lifestyle practices. Consulting a professional health expert is crucial to identify the underlying causes of your condition, such as hormonal imbalances, thyroid issues, or gastrointestinal problems.
Are there any supplements or medications that can assist in healthy weight gain without adverse side effects?
Many brands offer supplements claiming to aid in weight gain, but their effectiveness can vary. It’s always advisable to consult a weight management expert or a registered dietitian before incorporating any supplement into your diet. These professionals can assess your body and recommend appropriate supplements if needed. Remember, supplements should never replace a balanced diet or necessary lifestyle changes.