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Writer's pictureJahanara Monaf

Why can’t I put on weight


This may sound silly as usually we are all busy trying to lose weight, but there are many are only wishing that they could put on weight. However, for those who really do struggle to keep weight in, this can be serious.


To put it simply, the key to gaining weight is eating more calories than you burn through your daily activities, the opposite is true if you’re trying to lose weight. But many people are still unable to gain weight even when they are downing lots of food. So, what’s going on? And should you be concerned? Yes and no. Here are some reasons you may be struggling to pack on the pounds. 


Exercising too much: if you do a lot of cardio, you may be burning too many calories to gain weight. People trying to gain weight may want to concentrate more of their efforts on resistance training, which will help you put on weight in the form of muscle.


High metabolism: if a person has a high metabolism, they may not gain much weight even when eating high energy foods, in which case perhaps the thyroid and Kidneys need to be looked at.


Chronic disorders: some disease types can cause regular nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, making it difficult to gain weight. Other conditions may decrease a person's appetite, so they do not feel like eating. Examples include cancer, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and digestive conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.


Mental illness: poor mental health can affect a person's ability to eat, including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia. Each of these conditions can affect a person's body image and appetite.


If you are struggling with being underweight, it is important to try and target what’s causing the problem. Being underweight can cause other serious health issues. 


Osteoporosis: according to a study, being underweight increases a woman's risk of osteoporosis, which is where the bones are brittle and more prone to breaking. Hence why as bones belong to the Kidneys in TICM, Kidneys would need to be looked at closely. Also teeth are an extension of bones so I would look at dental health too.


Weak hair, skin, nails, and teeth: If a person does not get enough nutrients in their daily diet, they may display physical symptoms, such as thinning skin, hair loss, dry skin, or poor dental health.


Chronic fatigue: calories are a measurement of the energy a particular food can give a person. Not getting enough calories to maintain a healthy weight can make a person feel fatigued.


Anaemia: a person who is underweight is more likely to have low blood counts, known as anemia, which causes dizziness, headaches, and fatigue. There are 7 types of anaemia so important to find out which one you may have. 


Irregular periods: women who are underweight may not have regular periods, they may find menstruation stops, or an adolescent's first period may be delayed or absent. Irregular or absent menstruation can cause infertility.

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