Am I dangerously underweight?

Question

I am 5"2, 66 pounds.

Answer 1

yes definitely, I would go see a doctor if I were you. That is extreamly dangerous! It could mean that you have an eating disorter or a problem with something else to make you extreamly underweight. Underweight individuals generally have poor physical stamina and a weak immune system, leaving them open to infection. According to Robert E. Black of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, "Underweight status ... and micronutrient deficiencies also cause decreases in immune and non-immune host defences, and should be classified as underlying causes of death if followed by infectious diseases that are the terminal associated causes." They are also at higher risk from heart disease, blood vessel disease, and osteoporosis[citation needed].

In women, being underweight can result in amenorrhoea (absence of periods) and possible complications during pregnancy.

The causes of being underweight can be:

Rapid metabolism
Poor diet or starvation (malnutrition)
Psychological problems (such as Anorexia nervosa, Body dysmorphic disorder, stress or anxiety)
Weight loss due to chronic illnesses
Hyperthyroidism
Drug use (e.g. cocaine)
Disease


The treatment for an underweight individual is to increase the food energy intake so that more food energy is consumed than is being used as work. It is usually suggested that weight training is also to be undertaken to increase muscle mass.

It is easier to increase Caloric intake by drinking food energy rather than eating food energy. [citation needed] There are several high–food energy drinks available in supermarkets that dramatically supplement daily intake, even adding 350 Calories (1.5 kJ) per six fluid ounce (180 mL) bottle.

Another simple method of increasing one's daily food energy is to add high-calorie/high-fat condiments to foods or follow a meal with a simple snack. Good examples are:

Nut butters such as peanut butter
BBQ sauce
Mayonnaise
Butter
Cream cheese
Cheese
Pudding
Vegetable oils or salad dressing

Answer 2

Yes, she is dangerously underweight. Her BMI is under 15, which puts her at emaciated. Anything under 17.5 is considered "anorexic" by medical standards. Not implying that everyone under 17.5 has an eating disorder. I'm underweight myself, but my BMI is 17.5 on the dot. So I'm not dangerously underweight. Just slightly underweight. A few months ago I was down to 94 lbs ( and I am 5'4" too ) and that is severely underweight. ( Anything under 16.5 ) I was getting chest paints and heart palpitations. I was not eating enough either. I was in a "weird" stage of when I was eating too much to be considered anorexic, but I was eating too little to be considered normal. My calories were around 1100. I had anorexia in 2005/2006. I got down to 89 lbs and I was on a 700-800 calorie diet. For some reason, that time around I was not getting chest pains. She isn't at risk of death yet, but the health problems will soon be more severe. I was beginning to get health problems at 94 lbs, so that is why I stopped dieting and starting eating more. I am feeling healthier now and I can even exercise without feeling like I am going to die. I am not sure what weight she has to be to be at death's corner. Probably in the 60's or 70's. But being 86 lbs her health will begin to suffer. She may get chest pains. ( Make sure you ask if she has them ). Or if she has a period. Also, ask if she is feeling weak or tired.

Answer 3

Wow, are you serious? That is very underweight.
Eat lots of animal protein and fats, especially together.
I've gained 23 pounds in 3 months on a special diet I do. It was mostly muscle mass. I was 5'11" 135 pounds and I went to 158 pounds. I couldn't gain weight all through high school. Now I'm 20 and I finally know how to gain weight.
I drink lots of raw eggs (free-range organic) in smoothies with fruit and raw honey. Lots of raw proteins and fats.
Raw is the only way to fully digest something by the way.
Slowly add more calories to your diet everyday. Knowing your weight it sounds like you must not eat much.

Answer 4

SERIOUSLY UNDERWEIGHT!!! The rule of thumb is 100 lbs for the first 5 feet, and 5 lbs more for each inch after that. If you're 5'2" you should weigh 110 lbs, plus or minus 10 lbs. That means your lowest weight should be 100 lbs, not 66. Please try to get some help for this. Get the protein in before your body systems start to shut down, if they haven't already.

Answer 5

Yes you are. You need to see a doctor. I doubt you have more than 10% body fat which is dangerously low and your lean body mass is probably about 20lb less than the minimum healthy amount for your height. This is serious, you need to get some help ASAP, before you end up in an hospital bed fighting for your life.

Take care.

Answer 6

Yes you are extremely underweight. Eat some food.

Answer 7

Dangerously underweight!!! See your doc immediately and get some help or find out what is wrong.

Answer 8

Yeah, you should probably go to a hospital right now. I'm don't know how you're functioning enough to type a coherent sentence. Your systems should have begun shutting down!

Answer 9

ya
if u have to ask this question u probably are. you can go to a walk in clinic n get it checked out n get some help, or you could try eating more fatty foods =P tastes great n will help put some weight on you.
good luck Hun<3

Answer 10

I would say yes. I think you should probably weigh at least 100 lbs. at your height, and even that is thin for 5"2