10 Signs That Spell Danger: How Skinny Is Too Skinny?

Most people, especially women, have a goal weight. A specific number on the scale that they spend a large portion of their life trying to reach. Women, more than men, are overloaded on a daily basis with images and media that promote the idea that thinness equals happiness. 

There’s an adage that says one can never be too rich or too thin. Well, it turns out at least half of that is false. You CAN be too thin. Online blogs, such as conservehealth, offer resources and tips for staying healthy and active. 

Being Too Thin Can Be Just as Dangerous as Obesity

What the onslaught of size 0 models and actresses don’t tell you is that being skinny isn’t always healthy. Most people know that obesity and carrying excess weight is bad, but studies show being underweight is even more dangerous. 

The body uses fat to convert to energy. Without even a little fat storage, your body can’t get the energy it needs to perform basic functions. Additionally, thinness doesn’t guarantee low cholesterol or low blood sugar, both of which cause other health complications. 

10 Signs You’re Underweight

Denial and self-bias can prevent you from realizing your low weight is an issue. Here are 10 signs you’re too skinny: 

1. Your clothes are loose or ill-fitting. Many people judge their weight based on how their clothes fit, not a number on the scale. If clothes that once fit perfectly now hang off your frame, you might be too skinny. 
2. Your chest is concave and flat. Extreme weight loss is most noticeable for women in the chest area. They commonly experience a reduction in breast size. In extreme cases, the chest area flattens and becomes concave. 
3. You have bags under your eyes. Under-eye bags are often shown as a symptom of sleep deprivation. However, weight loss can also cause the extra skin around the eye to droop, resulting in bags under the eye. 
4. You suffer from extreme mood swings. “Hangry” is a real thing. A combination of hungry and angry, it can be a side effect of not eating enough. Food helps the hormones in our bodies regulate moods. 
5. You can fit your hand around your upper arm. It is normal to be able to fit your palm around your wrist. The forearm should generally be larger than your wrist and if you can fit your hand around your upper arm, you are likely too skinny. 
6. Your joints are bigger than your bones. The bones in the body should be larger than the joints. Using the same example again, your wrist should be smaller than the rest of your arm. 
7. You have no energy. Again, our body converts food into energy. If you’re not eating properly, your body doesn’t have the fat storage to energize the body. 
8. Your legs are incredibly bony. Legs are typically one of the more fleshy parts of the body, particularly the thighs. If your legs are bony, you’ve likely lost muscle mass due to being too thin. 
9. Your ribs are visible. Having slightly visible ribs is normal for skinny people. However, being able to clearly see four or more of your ribs is a clear indication that you are too skinny. 
10. You have difficulty sleeping at night. Insomnia is a symptom of many conditions, including being underweight. 

Manage Your Weight

Being underweight, and even overweight can be difficult to judge. Height, body shape and even age are all considered when determining a healthy weight range. An online BMI calculator can help figure out if you are severely under the suggested weight for your height and gender.