It's quite troubling how much focus is put on weight loss. It is definitely good to not be overweight, but most people believe that less weight automatically means healthier. Being underweight is just as bad as being overweight. Like all things, a balance must be struck. When people take their diets too far or simply become accustomed to a certain lifestyle, their appetites can become unhealthy. Today, let's discuss the possible health risks of low appetite, its possible causes and what you can do about it.

Possible Causes of Low Appetite

1. Bacteria

Diseases like pneumonia or gastroenteritis have been observed to have a low appetite as a symptom. Bacteria in the gut can cause a whole host of other side effects. Conveniently for our bacteria, a low appetite can often strengthen the symptoms of bacteria-based diseases. 

2. Mind Over Fatter

Anorexia and depression are typically the mental causes of a low appetite. Anorexia is when an underweight person believes that they are still over the "healthy" weight and so continue to become fat. Depression often makes a person unmotivated to do much of anything, and that goes for eating food as well.

3. Medicine

Drugs, either prescribed or illegal, can cause low appetites. Always consult your doctor when you feel any malicious side effects from your medication, as it's always safe to switch if your current medication is forcing you on an unwelcome diet.

Health Risks

1. Fatigue

It's important to remember that while eating less food may mean less weight, it also means less energy. Studies by Debra Rose, Ph.D., from Healthline, have shown that the body starts to run on "maintenance mode" when it doesn't have enough food to function properly.

2. Muscle Atrophy

How does the body maintain this low energy mode if you aren't eating enough food? It starts to break down your muscles. Eating too little can mean your body starts breaking down your muscles and liver for ketones. This is not like the keto diet where one uses fat as an energy replacement for carbohydrates, because the keto diet requires you to eat your caloric intake daily. A low appetite prevents that.

Treatments

1. Eat small and lots

Instead of the typical three meals a day, go for multiple smaller meals stretched over the course of a single day. Do this alongside some light snacking. Most people with low appetite operate under the idea that they get "bloated if they eat too much at once. In respect to that, people with a low appetite can instead spread out the "bloat" over the course of several meals. This way, you can still have your necessary caloric intake without feeling bloated from the food.

2. Good Friends = Good Meals

If you can, eat with family or friends as often as possible. Eating meals with people can pace your eating and make it feel more enjoyable. Associating good things with the consumption of food can help a lot towards building a bigger appetite.

3. Stay Active

A low appetite caused by a lethargic lifestyle can be solved by simply doing things. Instead of just sitting down all day at work then going home to lay down, find things to do that take energy to do. The activity needs energy, and to get energy, you need food.

4. Consult a Doctor

The following advice from us is all well and good. However, if you ever feel like your loss of appetite still isn't solved by these tips, consult a doctor. A health professional can oftentimes pinpoint the concrete reasons you might have for having a low appetite.