OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Should I Seek Medical Care?

8/13/2025, 8:50:30 AMMale25-34

As a 17-year-old male measuring approximately 167-168 cm, my weight varies between 40 to 43 kg. Given these statistics, I am inquiring whether it's necessary for me to consult a healthcare professional.

Weight ManagementNutritionFamily Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

8/13/2025, 8:50:54 AM

OpenHealth AI

It's important to address your weight concerns, especially since your height and weight suggest you may be underweight for your age. Let's break this down:

Key Points:

  • Your height of approximately 167-168 cm and weight of 40-43 kg indicates a body mass index (BMI) that is lower than the recommended range for your age and height.
  • Underweight can lead to nutritional deficiencies and potential health issues, so it’s worthwhile to consider seeking guidance.

Explanation:

Being underweight can affect your overall health, including energy levels, immunity, and bone density. Achieving a healthy weight is essential for your growth and development, especially as a teenager. Factors that could contribute to being underweight include not eating enough, high physical activity levels, or underlying medical conditions.

Next Steps:

  1. Nutritional Assessment: Consider tracking your daily food intake to ensure you’re getting enough calories and nutrients. Increasing caloric intake through healthful foods like nuts, seeds, dairy, whole grains, lean proteins, and fruits or smoothies can be beneficial.

  2. Healthy Weight Goals: Aim to talk to a trusted adult or mentor about your concerns. If they are approachable, asking them for guidance on healthy eating and lifestyle choices can be helpful.

  3. Monitor Your Health: Pay attention to how you feel daily. If you notice fatigue, changes in your mood, or any physical changes (like hair loss or frequent illness), these can be signs to seek further assistance.

  4. Emotional Well-being: Ensure that mentally you feel supported. Sometimes, weight issues can also affect mental health, so having conversations with friends, family, or even counselors can provide additional support.

  5. Seek Professional Advice: While it’s not an immediate concern, schedule a visit with a healthcare provider to discuss your weight. They can conduct a thorough check-up and provide personalized advice based on your individual needs.

By taking these steps, you can better understand your body and its needs, leading to healthier choices and improved well-being. If you have any questions or need support in making changes, don't hesitate to reach out!

Related Questions

When Can I Expect to Drive Again?

I’m a 35-year-old who suffered a spiral fracture in my right leg affecting both the fibula and tibia. Five weeks post-surgery, I've begun my rehabilitation journey, having undergone physical therapy for three weeks now. I’ve noticed that my leg is beginning to regain sensation, with improved control over my ankle and feeling returning to the sole of my foot. Given this progress, what is a realistic timeframe for when I might be able to drive safely once more?

ExerciseAgingFamily Medicine
Male25-34
3 minutes ago

Seeking Help for Ongoing Health Issues

I am reaching out in desperation for assistance! I'm wondering if anyone else has encountered similar health concerns or could recommend medications or specialists I should consider consulting. I'm truly at a loss and need guidance. As a 23-year-old male vegetarian weighing around 48 kg and standing at 5’4”, I have struggled with being underweight since my childhood. This condition has left me feeling utterly drained and overwhelmed. I’m eager to make a change but feel lost regarding where to begin or which healthcare professional to consult. In my youth, I was diagnosed with asthma, which has significantly improved; however, I continue to deal with low immunity, as I frequently catch colds and coughs from minor exposure to cold environments. Additionally, I’ve noticed that for the past few years, my body temperature feels abnormally high compared to those around me. I experience heat more acutely than my peers. Previously, I was quite active and could walk 4–5 kilometers daily without difficulty. Nowadays, even a short walk of 1–2 kilometers or climbing a few flights of stairs leaves me out of breath and exhausted. Even on days of little physical exertion, I feel weak and lethargic, as though all my vitality has been drained. My appetite has always been low, despite my efforts to increase it. I struggle to consume what would be considered an average meal for someone my age. Just two chapatis or a small bowl of rice or lentils fills me up completely, and attempting to eat more causes discomfort. I often find it perplexing how others manage to eat such larger portions. Dining out has become a challenge for me since even half a plate feels overwhelmingly full. Being extremely slender has made it difficult to find clothing that fits well and has adversely impacted my confidence over the years. For around 15 years, I have hesitated to take photographs of myself. Social and professional circles often regard me as younger than I am, sometimes even as a child, which has contributed to my feelings of invisibility and insecurity. My sensitivity to heat has intensified over the last few years. In seemingly normal room temperatures, I start sweating profusely while those around me remain comfortable. During cold weather, even in temperatures as low as 8°C, I don’t wear warm clothing, as I sweat excessively and feel anxious about overheating. The discomfort can escalate to a point where I feel faint from the heat. In my workplace, where the air conditioning is set at a standard temperature, I find it challenging. I begin to sweat visibly, leaving my clothes damp and prompting coworkers to inquire about my wellbeing. I often feel breathless and anxious that I might collapse if I remain there too long. This makes it very difficult to stay at the office or use public transportation, as even air-conditioned buses can feel uncomfortably warm to me. Over the past year, my situation has deteriorated further. I can no longer tolerate hot or even mildly spiced home-cooked meals, which I used to enjoy without issues. Now, even mildly spiced foods lead to excessive sweating, reddening of my face, and an intense burning sensation in my mouth, akin to consuming overly spicy dishes. As a result, my food intake has diminished even more. I often face ridicule for my dietary limitations, and I’m growing weary of trying to explain my condition, especially when my own family doesn't fully grasp the depth of my struggles, which adds to my distress. I am sharing my story because I truly need help. I wish to identify the underlying issues with my health and seek proper medical attention. If anyone has experienced similar problems or can recommend a suitable type of medical professional to consult, I would greatly appreciate your guidance and support during this challenging time. Thank you. 😭

NutritionWellnessPreventive Medicine
Male25-34
12 minutes ago

Is an 85-pound Weight Healthy for a Woman Who is 5’1"?

A friend of mine stands at 5 feet 1 inch tall and has a delicate frame, tipping the scales at 85 pounds. At first glance, her weight seemed surprisingly low, but I realized she doesn’t appear overly thin. Naturally, I became a bit worried as I believed her weight might be below the healthy range; however, she insists that she feels perfectly fine. She maintains an active lifestyle, exercising regularly and following a nutritious diet, yet she doesn't overindulge. This leaves me pondering whether her health is indeed in check.

Weight ManagementNutritionExercise
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Interpretation Request for Recent Spinal NM Bone Scan

Hello, doctors. I'm reaching out for your insights regarding a recent NM bone scan of my spine. I've previously undergone a similar scan in 2022, and I'd like to compare the two. To provide context, I am a 29-year-old female weighing 100 kg, and I've been diagnosed with conditions including endplate sclerosis, spinal stenosis, cervical bone spurs, degenerative disc disease (DDD), and mild scoliosis. My medication regimen consists of several prescriptions. Unfortunately, my next appointment with my general practitioner is still a few weeks away, so I would appreciate your assessments on how the latest scan compares to the previous one. Thank you in advance for your help!

AgingWellnessFamily Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Unusual Wave Patterns in ECG: Potential Artifacts in Lead V6

Upon examining the ECG readings, I've noticed peculiar double wave formations appearing between the QRS complex and the T wave in lead V6. This is new to me, as I have never encountered such patterns before. Could these be classified as artifacts?

Family MedicineInternal MedicinePreventive Medicine
Male25-34
3 hours ago