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Underconsumption
  Underconsumption / Undereating
 Signs, symptoms, indicators
 Conditions that suggest it
 Contributing risk factors
 Treatment recommendations
 


Causes & Development


Being underweight can be caused by heredity, a serious illness, not eating enough, or a combination of intense ongoing exercise and insufficient calories in the diet. Commonly it is caused by an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. Severe depression can also affect the appetite, resulting in underconsumption and weight loss.

Treatment & Prevention
Increasing calories may be recommended for persons who are underweight, athletes who want to gain weight to enhance performance or those whose calorie needs are increased due to a poor health condition.





SpacerSigns, symptoms & indicators of Underconsumption:
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Symptoms - MetabolicIcon  Very great/moderate/major unexplained weight loss
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SpacerConditions that suggest Underconsumption:
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MetabolicIcon  Problems Caused By Being Underweight
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SpacerRisk factors for Underconsumption:
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MentalIcon  Depression

Symptoms - Food - Intake

Icon  Insufficient calorific intake
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SpacerRecommendations and treatments for Underconsumption:
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DietIcon  Increased Calorie Consumption

Not recommended:
Icon  Therapeutic Fasting
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KEY
PlusSpacerWeak or unproven link
PlusSpacerStrong or generally accepted link
PlusSpacerProven definite or direct link
TickSpacerHighly recommended
CrossSpacerAvoid absolutely



GLOSSARY

Anorexia Nervosa (Anorexia)
An eating disorder characterized by excess control - a morbid fear of obesity leads the sufferer to try and limit or reduce their weight by excessive dieting, exercising, vomiting, purging and use of diuretics. Sufferers are typically more than 15% below the average weight for their height/sex/age and typically have amenorrhea (if female) or low libido (if male). 1-2% of female teenagers are anorexic.

Bulimia Nervosa (Bulimia)
An eating disorder characterized by lack of control - abnormal eating behavior including dieting, vomiting, purging and particularly bingeing that is usually associated with normal weight or obesity (unlike anorexics, who tend to be considerably underweight). The syndrome is associated with guilt, depressed mood, low self-esteem and sometimes with childhood sexual abuse, alcoholism or promiscuity.




Last updated: Jan 03, 2010


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