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16 years
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I'm very skinny, I'm 160cm tall and I weigh 40kg. I took ensure but didn't gain weight, what should I do?
Nov 4, 2014
2nd opinion

Dr. Zakia Dimassi Pediatrics
In order to properly address the underweight problem, we must first recognize the cause.
1- Insufficient and/or inadequate caloric intake: in order to maintain your current weight, your caloric intake should be about 2434 Calories per day. To gain 0.45 kg per week, you might increase your required calories by 500 per day. This of course has to be paralleled with muscle enhancing training. You can achieve this by adding cheese to the dishes, or nuts (like cashew nuts, wall nuts etc) and honey to your fruit salad,
2- Sources of caloric loss: the most common causes for poor weight gain are
* hyperthyroidism (when the thyroid gland secretes too much thyroid hormones; this is usually associated with other symptoms including tremors, nervousness, inability to tolerate heat, dry skin etc.). This is diagnosed by measuring two hormones in the blood : thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (free T4).
*celiac disease: due to gluten (a wheat protein) sensitivity, the intestines become unable to absorb all the nutrients because of a constant state of inflammation. Celiac disease may be associated with thyroid disease as well. Diagnosis relies on measuring specific antibodies in the blood +/- biopsy of the intestines.
*Diabetes: we think of diabetes in individuals with recent abrupt weight loss, especially if there's strong family history of diabetes at an early age. Blood sugar level taken during fasting will tell if this is the case or not.
*Anorexia nervosa: a psychological disorder characterized by stringent restriction of caloric intake fear of weight gain. This condition is associated with unhealthy practices such as induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives and diuretics, and excessive exercise, in addition to symptoms of amenorrhea (absence of menstrual cycle for three consecutive months), hair loss, dry skin, constipation and bloating, and evidence of nutrient deficiency, such as iron deficiency anemia. These individuals also are more prone to develop depression. If you suffer from anorexia, you will need to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist, in addition to collaborating with a dietitian in order to devise a proper dietary plan to help you reach your ideal lean weight.
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