What Is The Best Way To Gain Weight If I Am Too Thin?

July 1, 2009— -- Question: What is the best way to gain weight if I am too thin?

Answer: Many people in this country are overweight but some people are too thin and would like to gain weight. I see this in my practice sometimes in young men or in people when they're elderly and have chronic health conditions. For young men, exercise is the best way to gain weight. Eating healthy high-calorie foods such as nuts and dried fruit and sources of protein may also help.

For the elderly who want to gain weight, once again, exercise as tolerated may help to gain a little bit of muscle mass and in people who are trying to maintain their weight who have a chronic health condition: oral supplements, cans of different formulas may be helpful as well. Obtaining adequate calories is important but exercise is a key factor in increasing lean muscle mass.