The Centers for Disease Control defines underweight children as those that fall under the 5th percentile in Body Mass Index and growth charts designed for their age group. A child may be underweight because they simply do not consume enough food, are overly active, are experiencing undue stress or suffer from an underlying illness or food allergy. In a society focused on the problems of childhood obesity, we may forget that an underweight child may experience problems like diminished immunity, weakness, fatigue and learning disorders.
Step 1
Determine how many calories your child is eating in one day. Keep a food journal and estimate calories of their foods by using a website like NutritionData.com. Compare this intake to those recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for age, gender and activity level for your child. A toddler up to age three needs between 1,000 and 1,400 calories per day; a four-to eight-year-old needs as much as 1,800 calories a day; and a nine-to-13-year-old need up to 2,000 calories per day.
Step 2
Increase your child's caloric intake if they are eating insufficient calories as determined in step one. Feed them calorie-dense, nutritious foods like nuts, seeds, dried fruits, homemade baked goods made with whole grains, creamy soups, macaroni and cheese, pasta with olive oil, peanut butter and jelly and pancakes with fresh fruit. Offer them fruit smoothies with their meal. Use heart-healthy fats like olive oil, nut butters and avocados liberally when preparing their meals. Consider adding natural whey protein to mashed potatoes and soups.
Step 3
Allow your child to graze all day. Try giving them six mini meals instead of three standard meals. Help a child who has a poor appetite get enough calories by feeding them these smaller amounts more often. Offer multiple options at meals to insure there are foods that your child will like. Make extras so leftovers are available when your child is hungry. Pack extra snacks for your child to take to school or daycare.
Step 4
Allow your child to rest before meal time, especially if they were engaged in active play. Sometimes excitement and eagerness to get back to a game distracts a child from eating.
Step 5
Limit caffeine and junk food, especially right before mealtime. Discourage soft drinks and candy which may fill your child up without nutrition or adequate calories.
Step 6
Get your child checked out by a pediatrician to insure he is not suffering from a food intolerance, digestive ailment or food allergy. The Centers for Disease Control note that an underlying health condition is often a cause of children being underweight. Lactose intolerance, ulcerative colitis and Celiac disease may lead to weight loss or failure to gain weight because nutrients are not adequately absorbed. If a child is intolerant to a food, they may avoid eating because of fear of discomfort.
Tips and Warnings
- Try not to overly pressure you child to eat more. Offer foods often, but if a child refuses do not force them to eat.
- If you suspect your child has an eating disorder, consult your physician.
Things You'll Need
- Nuts and nut butters
- Pasta
- Pancakes
- Macaroni and cheese
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