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.
