Skinny Teenager

[mrsmobbs]

Hi My DS in 13, 5ft 6in with size 9 feet, which compared to his friends is about right, but he is 7st 6lbs and has not put on any weight for 6 months, it is like cuddling a skeleton, which he loves as he can see all his ribs. I only have 1 child so not sure whether this is a problem or not, he is healthy, a little pale, extremely energetic but just thin. Am I just worrying unecessarily?

I don't think it's normal to be pleased about seeing your ribs . Admittedly I don't have a teenage ds but I would have thought most would aspire to look like David Beckham type frames wouldn't they?

P.s .. I wouldn't be worried about him being thin as such as he is growing but his attitude would concern me a bit .

Yeh, my thoughts exactly, he has started using weights, which again I am bit bothered about, he eats like mad and is always hungry so will just have to watch he does not become too body obsessed

Why does he like seeing his ribs though? Has he mentioned any reason ?

Not really, I think he believes it looks like a 6 pack which we tell him is not a good look on a teenager, he eats really well and does not starve himself and has said on occasions he feels too thin, but struggles to put on weight, his best friend weighs nearly 9 stone. I will have a chat to the nurse at school at see what she thinks.

Ah we'll that kind of makes sense if he thinks its making his muscles stick out more . Wouldn't hurt to have a chat with someone who knows what they are talking about

Aww no don't worry it's perfectly normal.He has grown upwards and will start to grow outwards eventually.
I have 2 DS and they both did this big growth spurt, both got skinny as they grew and both ate MASSIVE amounts. I let them eat whatever they want as long as there is a balance of nutrition in there. Carb filled packed lunches and snacks. DS1 nearly 17 now is 6'2" and 10 stone 10 so still pretty skinny and he doesn't eat as much as he did at 13.
One thing I would say though is be careful of those weights. I think there is a competitive element to the acquisition of muscles at that age and 13 is too young for weight training.DS1 in particular wanted to do weights at that age and we compromised on small weights with press ups and sit ups

Agree that it's not unhealthy to see kid's ribs but when they are very skinny it can lead to them being self concious. I still remember being teased about having knots in cotton for legs and for boys it's worse, they want manly muscles not stick arms.
I think weights are fine to bulk up a bit once they stop growing but not recommended while bones and bodies are growing.

I wouldn't be that worried by the fact he is skinny, however the fact that he hasn't pit on any weight for 6 months is probably worth getting checked out by you doctor.

My 15 yr old DS is 6 ft tall and 8 stone 9... I swear the biggest part of him is his knee joints! He looks terribly thin.. ribs stick out, legs like sticks, hip bones you could cut with.. but he eats like a horse and is never ill.

I'm hoping he will eventually fill out a bit when he finishes growing. His brother is shorter at 5 ft 9 (19 so stopped growing I think) and he is also very skinny despite a hoofing appetite.
I'd be a bit concerned if he was really lethargic i but I think skinny is ok in itself as long as he is eating.

My DS 13 is the same. 5ft 7 - eats like a horse but very thin.
He doesn't like his new build either but is fairly energetic.