Q. I used to be heavy and was always warm. Now, after losing weight, I am always cold. Why?

A. The general answer probably involves the loss of part of the body’s insulation in the form of unwanted body fat, but the answer in any specific case could be far more complicated.

Cold intolerance is a frequent complaint among those who have lost a considerable amount of weight. The body’s core has lost a significant part of its protection against heat loss. The problem is usually worse for those who become very thin, especially small women.

While someone is losing weight through severe calorie restriction, the metabolism may slow down to protect the body’s heat-producing store of calories, leading to a cold feeling.

And anyone who suffers inordinately from the cold, whether thin or not, should be checked for medical problems that can interfere with thermoregulation or slow the metabolism.