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Dean Piazza: fitness expert

A former Australian triathlon champion, Dean is the Founder of www.getfit.com.au, an award-winning online fitness website. ASK ME A QUESTION

Risks of being underweight

Thursday, December 12, 2002
With so much emphasis in the media on obesity and overweight people, we need to remember that a lot of people take body image and staying slim to the extreme, and can be actually UNDERWEIGHT.
 

Question:
There is so much coverage on the risks of being overweight and obese, but are there any health risks of being underweight? I am eating a low-fat diet and exercising. I would like to think there are risks as I am recovering from an eating disorder and feel that any risks may act as a deterrent for continuing to be underweight. Thanks heaps.

Answer:
With so much emphasis in the media on obesity and overweight people, we need to remember that a lot of people take body image and staying slim to the extreme, and can be actually UNDERWEIGHT. Health risks associated with being underweight are:

  • Higher risk of osteoporosis.
  • Decreased immune system, eg. more colds and flus.
  • Period cessation or irregularities.
  • Infertility.
Click on www.daa.asn.au which is the Dieticians Association of Australia website. They have a lot of good information here, including people to contact.
Dean Piazza from www.getfit.com.au is an award-winning personal trainer.
For more fitness information, visit the Get Fit website


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