With the steroid issue dominating sports headlines, the idea of natural weight gain has emerged as a potential solution for those looking to add pounds. Natural weight gain typically requires patience. Many athletes resort to steroids and other potentially harmful supplements because they want results immediately. Many men and women who don't play professional sports have trouble adding weight, so they end up using legal and/or illegal substances to give more shape to their bodies.

This issue is an interesting one considering the United States' battle with the "obesity epidemic." The United States is far and away the fattest industrialized country in the world. Thousands and thousands of people die every year in this country as a result of complications stemming from obesity. The irony is that many people in this country are also underweight and need healthy, natural ways to safely add pounds.

Physiological Consequences of Being Underweight

Being underweight can be as physically unappealing as being overweight. If you are underweight, you are also prone to certain physical ailments. Your body mass index (BMI) should be at least 19, although many health professionals believe a person's body mass should at least be 21. The body mass index is a measure of a person's body fat based on height and weight.

Having a BMI lower than 19 is not considered healthy. This is the threshold most dietitians and doctors apply when assessing a person's weight--lower than 19 means you are underweight. It also means you have a higher risk of heart irregularities, anemia, bone loss, osteoporosis (in older women), amenorrhoea (absence of the menstruation period), and nutrient deficiency.

Being underweight also poses mental health risks. Mental health studies seem to indicate that men and women who are underweight are more likely to experience depression and other forms of emotional distress. If you want to calculate your BMI, there are a number of sites on the Internet that will do a quick calculation for you. These websites, however, are no substitute for a doctor.

Outward Effects of Being Underweight

There's nothing wrong with wanting to look good, especially in a culture that puts so much value on outward appearance. An underweight body sends specific messages. Monitor your thoughts the next time you see a person who is noticeably underweight. What is your mind saying?

When I see an underweight person, specific words pop into my head--malnourished, irresponsible, weak, frail, powerless, and unhealthy. If you are clinically underweight, these are the thoughts people have about you. It's an unconscious reaction. This is why fit workers have a better chance at getting a job than unfit workers. Numerous behavioral studies have been conducted that reveal the unconscious negative reactions people have to underweight and overweight people.

Being too thin can also affect the skin. People who are too thin, most often the result eating disorders, often have very dry skin. They age faster on the outside and inside. Underweight people frequently get wrinkles at an earlier age and even experience medical disorders that typically afflict much older people. For instance, some underweight women have developed osteoporosis in their twenties. The outward effects of being too thin can be dramatic.