Why Is Being Underweight Bad?

Being underweight can cause serious health complications, be an indicator of health problems or the result of an eating disorder. An underweight person is not getting the necessary nutrition that the body needs to stay healthy and function properly.

Complications

• According to Family Education.com, being underweight is a health concern because the body is not receiving adequate food energy. This causes lack of concentration, exhaustion and an ill temperament.

Health Concerns

• Without the proper vitamins and minerals from adequate food intake, an underweight person is likely to become anemic. Heart and blood vessel disease is also a possibility. Brittle bones can lead to osteoporosis later in life causing bones to fracture and break easily.

Eating Disorders

• Being underweight because of anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders can cause a series of health risks. Anorexia nervosa is a very serious condition that makes a person go to extremes to be thin. Over time, anorexia causes hair loss, tooth decay, gum damage, infertility, stunted growth, kidney failure, heart problems and even death.

Illness

• According to Wrong Diagnosis.com, being underweight may be a sign of an underlying illness such as diabetes, ulcers, cancer or Crohn's disease. A checkup or testing by a doctor can diagnose illnesses or conditions related to unexplained weight loss.