The Risks of Fasting When Underweight

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a standard measurement used to help assess whether a person is overweight, underweight, or has achieved their ideal body weight. Any individual with a below normal Body Mass Index (BMI) should have this issue thoroughly evaluated before engaging in fasting as such individuals may have an underlying illness responsible for the condition that requires treatment.

Being underweight is not an absolute contraindication to fasting, but definitely a relative one. One risk an underweight person faces during a fast is that their body will use muscle mass or lean tissue for energy. This can create a state of "starvation" vs. "fasting" in the body and disrupt many body systems including, but not limited to bone density, normal menstruation in women, serum electrolytes, kidney and liver function.

For how to calculate your BMI, visit the link below:BMI Calculator (click here)