Kids can become underweight for a variety of reasons, and parents concerned about their too-thin child often wonder how to encourage her appetite. One important thing to remember when trying to increase the weight of an underweight child is to avoid teaching bad food habits that might backfire and lead to obesity in adulthood. Instead, an underweight kid's diet should focus on healthy foods that provide both calories and nutrients needed by a growing child.
Underweight Children
Children who fall below the 5th percentile of the weight charts at the doctor's office are deemed to be underweight, a condition that causes concern for parents and pediatricians alike. In some cases, the child becomes underweight gradually, losing weight slowly or simply not gaining at the same rate as his peers. In other cases, illness or injury can lead to a loss of appetite that puts the child under the recommended weight for his height.
Food Choices
While it can be easy to add junk food to a child's diet, the high-calorie lure of cookies, candies and chips should be ignored in favor of healthy foods that are dense in nutrients as well as calories. Dried fruits pack a high caloric punch while also adding vitamins and minerals to your child's diet. Whole milk and cheeses provide needed calcium and calories. Foods that are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are also a good addition to an underweight child's diet. These foods include nuts, seeds, nut butters, olive oil, avocados and flax seed. Juice, shakes or smoothies served with a meal, not as a between-meal snack, are also a good idea. Many kids can drink a glass of juice or a smoothie even if they feel full of food already, increasing the total calories of their meal.
Eating Techniques
In some cases, the way that a child eats can have an impact on how many calories she gets, so aim for eating strategies that maximize caloric intake. Encourage your child to eat larger portions, such as having two eggs instead of one for breakfast, or by having a small second serving of favorite foods. You can also encourage your child to have small energy-dense snacks throughout the day, such as a handful of raisins and walnuts or some peanut butter spread on toast. Sometimes, adding hidden calories can help. Try adding a teaspoon of olive oil or some grated cheese to your child's cup of soup or stew to boost the caloric load.
Considerations
Just because a child is underweight doesn't necessarily mean there is reason to worry. Some children are genetically predisposed to being thin, especially if both parents are thin or petite. Only a doctor can effectively evaluate a child and determine whether being underweight is something to be concerned about.
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