Although being skinny might seem like an enviable trait to children who struggle with excessive weight gain, underweight children can also face health challenges and societal pressures. Underlying medical conditions can cause inadequate weight gain, as can a poor diet or behavioral problems. Other children are simply genetically thin and might not need to gain extra weight. Talk to your doctor before putting your child on any type of weight gain diet to make sure it is safe and appropriate for her.
Healthy Weight Gain Considerations
To help your child put on extra weight, you will need to add extra calories into his daily diet. Although it might be tempting to let him dine on high-fat fast food and sugar-laden processed snacks, like doughnuts and cookies, pediatrician Stephen R. Daniels cautions against this practice. Daniels, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics committee on nutrition, says that letting children dine on junk food can start a bad habit that can be difficult to break as your child grows older and gains weight. Instead, feed him small, frequent meals throughout the day consisting of a variety of healthy foods.
Meal Strategies
Create a regular schedule of meals and snacks for your child. Sometimes children get so busy that they forget to eat. Keep mealtimes calm and unrushed. Sit down together for dinner whenever possible so you can model healthy eating for your child. Involve your child in the mealtime process by allowing him to help with meal planning, food shopping and meal preparation. Limit juice to one or two times a day and milk to twice a day to ensure your child doesn't fill up on liquids, which can sap his appetite for real food.
Food Suggestions
Heart-healthy sources of fat, like avocados, flaxseed, vegetable oils and nuts, can add extra calories into your child's diet. Other healthy, high-fat foods include whole milk, yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese, puddings, cream soups, peanut butter, bean soups, eggs, macaroni and cheese, bread, french toast, pancakes, hot cereal and mashed potatoes. Smoothies and shakes can also help underweight kids pile on calories.
Additional Tips and Considerations
You can mix cheese into almost any food, including meatloaf, salads, soups, casseroles and chili to increase calories. In recipes that require milk, the UC Davis Cancer Center and UC Davis Children's Center suggests substituting nutrition shakes, whipping cream or half and half. If your child gags, chokes or vomits when eating, or if he can't eat in restaurants or other people's homes, consult your doctor. He might need an evaluation with an intensive feeding team.
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