Nutrition Fact sheet

Underweight and Difficulty Gaining Weight

Maintaining a healthy body weight is important for good health, but every person’s energy needs are different, depending on their activity levels. Ultimately, the “energy in” from food each day must be balanced with the “energy out” expended through exercise and activity.

For people with physical Challenges Gaining and disabilities, energy needs are Maintaining Weight often related to ability. For Some children with disabilities example, people who use a have difficulty gaining weight wheelchair tend to have less and may be underweight for energy needs than those who Reasons for not getting their height and age. This walk. People with spasticity the right amount of food can continue into adulthood, type cerebral palsy tend to include: with some people struggling have less energy needs than to gain weight and maintain • Difficulties with eating and those with athetosis. a healthy body weight their drinking Dietitian reviews are entire lives. • Inability to express hunger recommended for any person Low body weight can lead to: or thirst at risk of being either over – • Requiring assistance with or underweight. Reviews will • Growth failure in children eating and drinking assist you to determine the • Decreased muscle strength most suitable foods to meet • Reflux, vomiting or • Reduced ability to cough your needs. aspiration (food and drink • Increased risk of infection going into the lungs) • Constipation • Requiring food textures to • Osteoporosis be changed before eating • Pressure injury or drinking • Irritability • Lack of appetite • Depression • Taking a long time to eat and drink There are two general causes • Constipation of low body weight: a lack of correct nutrition to gain and maintain weight; and more energy being expended than is being taken in.

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Underweight and Difficulty Gaining Weight cont.

Reasons for excessive • Adding extra energy to energy expenditure food by mixing in extra include: fats and oils, grated cheese or milk powder • Increased muscle tone • Including nutritious milk- e.g. spasticity based drinks such as • Involuntary movements smoothies and milkshakes e.g. athetosis into a daily diet Healthy diet suggestions • Exercising regularly – exercise can boost for putting on weight appetite and promotes include: muscle health. Any regular • Eating smaller, frequent activity, including gentle meals during the day – stretching, can help six small meals and snacks can be easier than three Health Professional large meals Support Visit futurethinking. • Choosing full fat foods abilitycentre.com.au Concerns about poor diet, low for more information. over low fat e.g. full cream weight or weight loss should milk or enriched milk be discussed with a doctor or instead of low-fat dietitian. Dietitians can assist in identifying an ideal weight range and how much food is needed to achieve a slow, steady weight gain.

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