My 10yo is quite skinny. My husband was also skinny as a kid so generally we haven’t worried about it much. But he just had his yearly checkup, and for the past two years he’s gained very little while still growing taller, and his BMI is dropping off the chart. The doc ordered a blood test and it came back fine, no celiac or thyroid issues (PHEW). So we’re back to trying to boost his intake.
He’s not a super picky kid but he can be reluctant to try things. He eats a lot of classic kid food with no problem: mac and cheese, pizza, burgers, chicken nuggets, etc. He also tends to eat a ton of fruits and veggies, which I don’t want to discourage or course! I might try PB&J again but he doesn’t love it like he used to.
The doc did say that she tends to prefer that kids eat their calories instead of drink them, but if a protein drink works for him, it’s an option as long as it’s not displacing solid food. I picked up one by Orgain the other day and he doesn’t seem overly thrilled with it. I’d be curious to know if other people have tried other brands and what their kids thought of them.
Anyone deal with this? What worked for you?
You must log in or register to comment.
My parents tried to get me to gain weight my entire life. It led to a pretty bad diet by the time I was living on my own and I only ever gained weight when I ate chicken burgers from meal hall literally every day.
Don’t focus on weight, just make sure he is healthy. It can lead to poor choices and insecurities down the road.
That is my fear, honestly. He is a great fruit eater and a pretty decent veggie eater, especially compared to his peers. My once-skinny husband never was and he has definitely put on weight in adulthood (although I’m also not one to talk, but at least I eat fruits and veggies; I just also have an insatiable sweet tooth). He eats some junk food but I worry less about that when, if given the option, he’d likely choose salmon sushi and strawberries over almost anything else that might be offered.
Then that’s great! Don’t let anyone shame him for being skinny unless there are pressing health consequences.
BMI is generally a shitty indicator. I had 16 at some (rather long) point in my life, and now, I… let’s say, don’t. If his blood tests are fine and he’s functioning well, I’d let nature run its course, especially if he’s eating well. Pushing empty calories into him is just going to create food intake disorders.
—a person who’s been in somewhat a similar situation and who’s around several people with food intake disorders and a father to a very skinny kid presumably without one
That’s how I was. 5’11" and 145 lbs when I graduated highschool. Despite my ridiculous appetite, I didn’t really gain weight until my early 20s. Probably alcohol to blame for that. As long as your kid is healthy and eating enough there isn’t anything to worry about. Just how some of us are.
Honestly, an athletic kid, you just make sure their protein intake keeps up with their activity and don’t worry much about weight until and unless the doctor says it’s a problem.
Your post and comments are kinda confusing in that regard, but it seems like the doctor isn’t worried about it, everything relevant has been checked and that this is a more general concern from your side. If that’s not the case, you could consult with a nutritionist and see what kind of dietary changes might better support the kid’s activity levels.
But, usually, it’s only weight loss that’s going to be a problem as long as growth is still ongoing
