Reasons why you may not be able to gain weight. Genetics play a role in body types and may dictate a naturally lean body type for some people. For others, underlying medical conditions and certain medical treatments may cause weight loss or difficulty gaining weight.
If a person has a high metabolism, they may not gain much weight even when eating high-energy foods. Frequent physical activity. Athletes or people who engage in high levels of physical activity, such as runners, may burn significant amounts of calories that result in low body weight.
You may be eating a lot in quantity, but if you're not eating the right foods, you will not gain weight. To gain weight, you need to eat foods that are high in calories and nutrients. This means eating plenty of healthy fats, proteins, and carbs. Eating processed junk food will not help you gain weight.
Your metabolic rate peaks in your early 20s, according to Women's Health Magazine. At this age, you tend to have a higher muscle mass and have a fair amount of physical activity built into your day. As early as age 30, however, men and women begin noticing a dip in their ability to lose weight.
People who are underweight typically are not getting enough calories to fuel their bodies. Often, they are also suffering from malnutrition. Malnutrition means you are not taking in enough vitamins and minerals from your food.
Weighing too little can contribute to a weakened immune system, fragile bones and feeling tired. You can check if you're underweight by using our BMI healthy weight calculator, which shows your body mass index (BMI). If your BMI is below 18.5, this suggests that your weight may be too low.
What exactly counts as being "skinny?" Some healthcare experts believe a BMI in the 15-18 range to be clinically underweight. This seems to fall pretty close to what many everyday people consider to be "skinny" with a BMI of 18 or lower frequently listed as the indicator of someone considered to be slim.
Women with a BMI of less than 18.5 are considered underweight. The average woman's height is 5 feet, 4 inches. If you weigh 107 pounds or less at this height, you are considered underweight with a BMI of 18.4. A healthy weight range for that woman would be 108 to 145 pounds.
If your BMI is less than 18.5, it falls within the underweight range.
Several types of supplements — protein powders, mass gainers, creatine, and pre-workouts — can help you gain weight if you use them in combination with a balanced diet. In general, protein powders and mass gainers are your best bets if you're simply looking to boost your calorie intake.
Many people think if they're able to stay lean while eating poorly and not exercising, then that's OK. But though you might appear healthy on the outside, you could have the same health concerns as overweight and obese individuals on the inside.
Your metabolic rate does change during your early life, but it plateaus between the ages of 20 and 60, and only decreases by around 1% per year after that. Your total daily energy expenditure also depends on your weight.
Being less active, losing muscle mass and the aging of your internal components all contribute to a sluggish metabolism. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to fight aging from slowing down your metabolism.
New study says decline begins in our 50s
Researchers with Duke University's School of Medicine suggest that physical decline begins in the decade of the 50s and worsens as we age, especially for those who don't exercise.
Some studies have suggested it's better to be thin rather than active. In one such study, women who were thin yet inactive had a lower chance for early death than those who had obesity and were active. However, in patients with heart disease, being physically active, was more beneficial than having a low BMI.
Many people use low body weight to excuse unhealthy eating and physical inactivity. But body weight is not the best indicator of internal well-being. A much better indicator is your diet. When it comes to your health, it's what's on the inside that counts and you really are what you eat.
Scientists have identified a so-called "thinness gene" they believe could explain why some people stay lean without trying. The gene, called Alk, is found in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that controls appetite and how we burn fat.