COPD Can Affect Energy and Body Weight.

People with COPD can be either significantly under or significantly over a body weight that is healthy for them.

This is because their damaged lungs require more energy (more calories) just to breathe than a person who has healthy lungs. At the same time, COPD patients are often less active than people with healthy lungs, which may mean that fewer calories are needed to stay at a healthy weight.

If you're overweight...

COPD and obesity are both common and disabling chronic health conditions. Obesity also makes it hard to breathe. And some people with COPD gain weight because breathing problems make it difficult to stay active and use all the calories that are taken in. Overweight COPD patients should consider lifestyle changes to bring food intake more in line with actual activity needs.

If you're underweight...

When you don't take in enough calories your weight might fall below a healthy level. This may leave you feeling tired. COPD can make you lose muscle mass. It can also cause your breathing muscles to weaken. To help you gain weight or keep from losing it, your doctor may suggest nutritional supplements or eating more frequent, smaller meals.