I'm underweight. What now?

You’re right that it’s not good to be underweight. Being too thin can make you more likely to be sick or delay your period. But how do you know you’re 30 pounds underweight? If you’re trying to calculate how much you should weigh yourself, you might not end up with an accurate answer. Eeven if you’re using a Body Mass Index chart, it doesn’t account for your muscle mass. The first thing you should do is see a doctor to find out where your weight should be – you may be healthier than you think! The doctor will also have tips on the best way for you to gain weight.

If you’re working out with your friends, what types of exercises are you doing? Try switching up your routine to include more strength training and weight exercises. Building muscle will help you gain healthy weight.

Changing your diet will also help – unfortunately, needing to gain weight isn’t a free pass to load up on ice cream. Try eating smaller meals more frequently and eating more protein, which will also help you build muscle (and never, ever skip breakfast!). Instead of consuming extra junk food, which could lead to heart disease or cancer, try to load up on healthy fats, like nuts or avocado, to help regulate your weight. Adding more fruits, vegetables and fiber to your diet will also help your body gain the nutrients it needs to help you grow properly. If you aren’t taking a multivitamin, a daily supplement (many companies make special formulas for teens and tweens, but you should check with your doc before adding one to your daily regimen) will also better your health.

BY MEGHAN DEMARIA ON 8/15/2011 11:49:00 AM

POSTED IN weight, healthy ways to gain weight, healthy eating 101, body image, disordered eating