Being consistently underweight can cause long term health problems, and have an effect on all of your bodily functions, including physically, psychologically and socially.

Psychological effects

Thinking:

• Difficulty in decision making
• Pre-occupation with food
• Disinterest in hobbies and activities
• Less spontaneous

Feelings:

• Easily irritated or upset
• Isolated from friends and family
• Unwilling to maintain friendships

Behaviour:

• Obsessional, ritualised behaviour and routines
• Setting rigid rules around what you must not eat or must not do
• A need to be clean and tidy or hoarding behaviour

Physical effects

Heart and Circulation:

• Loss of heart muscle
• Lower blood pressure and pulse
• Heart beat irregularities

Sex Hormones and Fertility:

• All non-essential processes are stopped to preserve energy
• Menstrual periods may stop which could result in infertility

Bones, Muscles and Joints

• Reduction in bone strength
• Increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures
• The Muscles weaken and joints become swollen

Skin and Hair

• A downy hair covering can start to grow on the face, forearms, back and abdomen.
• Hair loss from scalp.
• Dry skin

Temperature regulation

• Reduction in body temperature, feeling cold

It requires real effort and application to regain a healthy mind-set and body weight. However, if you regain weight to a low, but healthy level, the majority of these symptoms will go away.