According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 out of every 3 individuals is either overweight or obese. With 2.8 million yearly deaths, there is no denying that obesity is one of the world's biggest health problems. However, being underweight comes with its own set of risks which may be just as bad for your health. According to a study conducted in the US, being underweight was associated with a 100% greater risk of early death in women, and 140% in men. Underweight people may also suffer from impaired immune function, fertility problems, raised risk of infections, and osteoporosis.

The society’s obsession with being thin has contributed towards the ill-health of underweight people. Manisha Mehta, Clinical Dietician and Sports Nutritionist weighs in, “The mindset ‘slim is better’ stops many people from even acknowledging that they need to increase their weight. People are not made equipped with the right information about the body composition i.e. the amount of muscle and fat that they have in their body, that’s why they feel their weight is healthy even if they lack the healthy component i.e. lean muscle mass.”