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Child Nutrition (Expert Forum)
Underweight 12 year old boy
Answered by
Renee Radenberg - Child Nutrition, Nutrition
This forum is for questions and support regarding child nutrition issues such as: Acne and food, Allergies and food, Balanced Menus, Diabetes, Finicky Eaters, Healthy Snacks, Nutrition, Weight Loss.
To help the Registered Dietitian evaluate your child's nutritional status, please state your child's weight (in kg or lbs.), height, and age in the content of your question.
To help the Registered Dietitian evaluate your child's nutritional status, please state your child's weight (in kg or lbs.), height, and age in the content of your question.
Underweight 12 year old boy
by peejpm, Apr 15, 2008 04:05PM
My son just turned 12. He has always been underweight. My husband and I both were little when we were kids. My husband is 5'5" and weighs 150. I am 5'2" and weigh 145. So, I know my son is going to be small. But, he is so much smaller than ALL the boys in his grade. I am sorry I do not know his weight right now, but I think it's around 80 pounds. My question is how do I get him to put on weight? He does not eat anything but spaghetti, chicken patty sandwiches (plain), hamburger helper (1 kind only), peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. He loves sweets. Cereal and chocolate. He snacks on cereal all day and night (no milk). I try to get him to eat more foods. He will eat a hamburger (plain). He does not like any condiments or sauces. He doesn't eat mayo, ketchup, mustard, ranch, etc. I am scared about his nutrition because he is so frail looking and I know this age is a building block for adulthood. He does not like ANY veggies. He will eat apples and pears.
Help!
Help!
Doctor's Answer
by Renee Radenberg, Apr 17, 2008 09:54PM
, Apr 17, 2008 09:54PM
To: peejpm
Does he play sports? As he goes into puberty he will fill in lean body muscle mass with sports. Have him drink milkshakes daily made out of fruit (frozen or fresh), milk or yogurt, and ice cream which is nutrient dense, high calorie and high protein drink; or make Carnation Instant Breakfast. It may help him gain weight.
Post Comment
Yes he does play sports. He does like the Carnation Instant Breakfast, so that's a good thing. He doesn't like any of the other drinks like "Muscle Milk".
Should I give him 2% milk? We have a history of high cholesterol in our family.
Thanks!