MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Weight loss

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Weight loss - unintentional

Contents of this page:
Alternative names Definition Considerations Common Causes	Home Care Call your health care provider if What to expect at your health care provider's office

Alternative names

Loss of weight

Definition Return to top

Unintentional weight loss is a decrease in body weight that is not voluntary.

Weight loss will occur with decreased food intake, increased metabolism, or both. See also intentional weight loss.

Considerations Return to top

There are many causes of unintentional weight loss including endocrine, gastrointestinal, and psychiatric disorders, as well as nutritional deficiencies, infections, tumors and neurological disorders.

Anorexia nervosa appears almost exclusively in adolescent girls. While many teenagers go through a phase of excess dieting (see intentional weight loss), only a few actually develop anorexia nervosa. Of those who do, up to 15% die from complications of the condition. Anorexic girls tend to come from families that often talk about the "right" amounts or kinds of things to eat, and these girls may use their refusal to eat as a way to manipulate their parents. See also bulimia.

Common Causes Return to top

Conditions that prevent food consumption such as painful mouth sores, newly applied orthodontic appliances, or loss of teeth
Manipulative behavior (in children)
Unrealistic expectations of caretakers (with children)
Depression
Malnutrition
Loss of appetite
Prescribed or over-the-counter drugs (including amphetamines, chemotherapeutic agents, laxative abuse, and thyroid medications)
Drug abuse and smoking
Unrecognized intentional weight loss
Undiagnosed anorexia nervosa or bulimia
AIDS
Malignancy
Acute infection
Chronic infections such as tuberculosis
Parasitic infections (particularly if you are from or have recently traveled to another country)
Chronic diarrhea
Hyperthyroidism

Home Care Return to top

Practice moderation and maintain a balanced program in both diet and exercise. For weight loss caused by oral or dental problems, see the dentist. For weight loss caused by disease, follow prescribed therapy in treating the underlying cause.

Call your health care provider if Return to top

Aan adolescent daughter (or son) has an unrealistic self-image and seems to be dieting excessively.
Weight loss is excessive (greater than 10% of normal body weight) and unexplained.
Weight loss is accompanied by other unexplained symptoms.

What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top

The health care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform a physical examination.

Medical history questions documenting weight loss in detail may include the following:

Time pattern
- When did the weight loss begin?
- Has it been sudden or gradual?
Quality
- How much weight has been lost?
- Has appetite decreased?
- Has amount or kinds of food eaten changed?
- Has physical activity level increased?
Aggravating factors
- Has there been an illness?
- Have there been dental problems or mouth sores?
- Have stress or anxiety levels increased?
Accompanying symptoms
- Is there vomiting?
- Is there self-induced vomiting?
- Is there an apparent increased energy level?
- Has there been excessive physical exercise?
- Is there fainting?
- Is there occasional uncontrollable hunger with palpitations, tremor, and sweating?
- Has there been a change in vision?
- Is there increased sensitivity to cold or heat?
- Is there constipation or diarrhea?
- Is there increased thirst or drinking?
- Is there increased urinary output?
- Has there been any hair loss?
Aadditional important information
- What medications/drugs are being taken?
  - Diuretics?
  - Laxatives?
  - Alcohol?
  - "Street drugs"?
- Has there been severe depression?
- How is the body image -- are you aware of the weight loss? Are you pleased or concerned?

The physical examination may include a general physical examination and a measurement of the body weight.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:

Nutritional assessment
Blood tests including a chemistry profile

Psychological counseling may be recommended in cases where anorexia nervosa or depression are the cause of the weight loss. In the early stages, anorexia nervosa may be best treated in a hospital with close supervision. Even after anorexia nervosa has apparently been cured, the individual should visit the doctor periodically. Relapse is not uncommon.

For weight loss caused by a chronic illness, tube feeding may be administered in order to maintain nutrition and to prevent edema, poor healing, and muscle wasting.

The patient may be referred to a dietitian for nutritional counseling.

Update Date: 5/4/2003

Updated by: Bridget Martell, M.D., Department of Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.