1 Underweight (BMI below 18.5): If you were underweight for your height you should gain 28 to 40 pounds. 2  Overweight (BMI of 25 to 29.9): If you were overweight for your height you should gain 15 to 25 pounds. 3  Obese (a BMI of 30 or higher): If you were obese for your height you should gain between 11 and 20 pounds.
In the UK, the most common causes of malnutrition in children are long-term health conditions that: 1  cause lack of appetite. 2  disrupt the normal process of digestion. 3  cause the body to have an increased demand for energy.
Children and adolescents. In children and adolescents factors which predispose malnutrition include: 1  Low birth weight: Individuals born with a low birth weight are more likely to suffer malnutrition throughout their life and are unlikely to âcatch-upâ in terms of growth.alnutrition is strongly associated with ill health, as both a cause and consequence. Individuals who are malnourished are more susceptible to disease and infection due to impaired immune function, and tend to consult health practitioners more frequently and take longer to recover from episodes of illness or injuries.