Too thin - How to gain weight

[skinnya]

My daughter is 8 yrs 3 mos., 53" tall and 52lbs. She appears very thin every though the pediatrician says she is normal. She is very self conscious about her appearance is teased alot at school because she is so thin. Its wrecking her self esteem. She is not one to sit still. She is always moving, never one to sit still. She is a good eater. Has cheerios and a bagel every morning with hot chocolate. She has a sandwich, crackers and juice for lunch. For dinner she eats a good sized meal, usually pasta or potatoes with chicken, pork or beef. She does not like cheese, peanut butter, eggs or mayonaise. What can I include in her diet to help her gain weight?

[BlueEgg]

Think QUALITY rather than QUANTITY. I have to say I am shocked at your daughter's diet. Where are those 6 - 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day? I guess you don't eat them either... THe only one I counted was the one juice...which may not even be 100% fruit juice which means she is getting NO servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Ahhh!  I would serve my 8 year old the following for breakfast: blueberries and half an apple cut up into yoghurt with vanilla in it (no sugar).  WHole wheat toast would follow plus a bit of orange juice if she wants. Lunch is carrot, red pepper and celery sticks with cream cheese plus a half a sandwich on whole wheat bread, a small V8 with an apple and a plain cookie. Dinner is 3 small servings of vegetables usually fresh broccoli and fresh beans and some tomato with meat and a brown carb (Brown rice, whole wheat brown pasta or bread). Could it be that your daughter is not eating enough because she is malnourished so her body does not crave all these foods that you are serving her that are low in nutritional value.  A bagel is only white flour, baking soda and salt....ugh!  Did you know that a child's facial bone structure is determined to a large degree by his nutrition. If you want your child to have a healthy complexion and a full nicely proportioned, pretty face, please feed her correctly.  You could always give her a Boost that is not dairy based but soy based at bedtime to provide her with the extra calories and minerals and vitamins. Being thin is fine as long as her nutrition is top notch. You can do it! Good luck. BlueEgg

[Ashley31804]

My son is 9 1/2 and 45 lbs. He is tall and skinny. I have never been concerned because of his weight except it is hard to find him pants. He is about a size 4 waist, but we have to buy 10/12 to fit in length. Anyway, he is a healthy boy so I always thought he was fine. The doctor has never been concerned. Well, it seems now my family are the ones who are concerned about it and think that I am not feeding him. He can eat ALL DAY LONG! He is not a picky eater. He is very active and doesn't look unhealthy at all. He has never had problems with self esteem. No one has ever teased him about his weight. Now, I am wondering if I should be concerned since my family is? They also think something could be wrong with him. I will try some ways to see if I can fatten him up a little. Do you know the average weight for 9 year olds?

[Renee Radenberg]

She is normal weight and a little tall for her age so that is probably why she appears thin. Children can be cruel at school. Girls gain weight at puberty. If you want her to gain some weight (not too much because she is within normal weight for her age) give her milkshakes with milk and ice cream a few times a week. They are cheaper than the dense nutrient drinks, such as Ensure or Boost.

[missus_cramer]

My boy is 14 and he's 5'5 and weighs 72 pounds so I understand where you're coming from. His self esteem is getting a work out since he's so thin.  I have to ask...are you thin too? Its part metabolic and part hereditary and part environment.  I was a six foot hundred pound teenager, I was built like a light pole.  When I hit 15 and puberty I started to put on weight but I'm still thin.  I outgrew nicknames like "malnutrition, olive oil and spider girl"....

I give my son supplements.  The doctor recommended Carnation Instant Breakfast because kids like the taste. I also give him Ensure and Boost, but he doesn't care for the taste, I usually doctor it up with a little chocolate syrup.  Ask your doctor how he feels about supplemental calories. She needs starch... noodles and bread and lots of potatoes.  You can mask eggs in puddings and french toast.