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?
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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.
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
I’ve always had issues with gaining weight. For most of my life I was 5’10"(178cm) and 135lb(61kg). The only thing that ever made a meaningful difference(as an adult) for me was protein powder. I could drink nothing but beer for every meal and not gain a pound, but whey protein powder in conjunction with weight lifting helped me put on about 15-20lbs(7-9kg).
I think 10 is a little young to be seriously worried about forcing weight gain though, especially if he’s already got a calorically full and balanced diet.
His doc did explain that she’s not worried that he’s skinny; it’s that he’s not gaining weight in pace with gaining height. She agrees that some kids are just skinny and that by itself is not a bad thing. Also, that this is a trend for my kid; she also said that kids can gain in bursts and maybe we’re just due for a burst, but this has been a convo at every appointment for…a while. At least three years.
You could add nuts like shelled pistachios or walnuts as snacks. Even mix things together to make your own granola/snack mixes with dried fruits, nuts, oats. And you can make different varieties so it doesn’t get old. Example: Almonds, dried cherries, oats. Or pistachios, dried cranberries, pretzels
Or you can buy them, there’s a huge variety of sweet or savory and even spicy in stores.
Is he energetic? Maybe more sport activities will make him hungry?
He’s in martial arts, and likes it a lot. He goes 2-3 times per week typically, with the goal this year of closer to 3 on a regular basis, but we’ll see. Team sports have not had much appeal so far.
