Weight Gain - How to determine you have weight deficiency

If you are markedly underweight or are losing weight, medical advice is important. A chronic underweight condition or a sudden loss of weight is an indication of poor health. It may signal the presence of onset of disease-for example, diabetes, over activity of the thyroid gland or, especially in children, intestinal worms. Chronic infections and other problems also may lead to weight loss. Finding the cause is the job of a physician. Your responsibility is to watch your weight-and your children's-and seek medical advice when there is a definite abnormality of weight.

DETERMINING IF YOU ARE UNDERWEIGHT

Usually, the advice of a physician is necessary in deciding whether you are really underweight. Quite possibly, if you are 10 to 15 pounds under the figures given in the chart on page 61, if your bones stick out all over your body, if the muscles don't cover the back, thighs, and buttocks with resilient protection, or if your face is thin and drawn, you are underweight. However, you may be the long lean type whose weight normally runs below the given figures. Your physician, by considering results of his physical examination, including observations of the size and bony framework of your body, can decide fairly accurately whether you are underweight.

If your extreme thinness is due to ill health, it is, of course, the physician's responsibility to determine what the problem is and to correct it. You will respond well when a chronic infection is the cause and is eliminated, or when thyroid gland functioning is at the root of the problem and is corrected. If the problem lies with failure to eat enough of the right food, your doctor can help you plan a diet that will add needed weight. Depending upon your individual problem and needs, your physician may suggest some or all of the following aids: TIME. It takes time to eat properly and to enjoy food. Pleasant company may help you to prolong your mealtime so you can eat more with- out feeling stuffed. If it is necessary for you to eat alone, you may find it helpful to listen to the radio, particularly to music, or even to read to keep from being bored. It can also be helpful to relax before meals. It is difficult to eat well when you are tired.

 CONSTITUTE High-CALORIE   LOW-CALORIE FOODS

It can be helpful Weight Control / 79 10 substitute high-calorie vegetables such as peas, potatoes, and Lima lw.ms for bulky low-calorie ones. Within the bounds of moderation, you ("" eat somewhat more of desserts, cream soups, bread, nuts and olives, 01111 and salad dressings. You can get into the habit of adding an extra pill of margarine to your vegetables and to many soups.

EAT MORE. You can do it. Another piece of bread, a second helping, soon becomes matters of habit.

SNACKS

 You can learn to enjoy them, finding ones that do not spoil your appetite.

SWEETS

 Although they have a role in the diet, sweets present a problem. Candy, jellies, pastry, cake, and ice cream are concentrated sources of energy. But they may satiate the appetite for more valuable foods. They may also, particularly in children and young adults, increase the decay of teeth. If they do not interfere with your appetite and do help you to gain weight, be sure to have frequent dental checkups.