DS (15) has an ambition to join the army but is serverely underweight.

[VoldemortsNipple]

All DS has ever wanted to do is join the army. He is in cadets and hopes to go to the army college next September. After battling with my own insecurities about him joining up, I fully support his decision.

Last week we went to the recruitment office so we would have all the information well in advance. Now DS has always had a slight build. He was born on the lowest percentile and has remained there all his life. Therefore, although he has always been skinny, I've never worried about it. As skinny as he is, he is quite wirey and muscular. I expected to be told that DS would have to work on his physical fitness and bulk up a bit. But somewhat naively, I didn't think we'd be told he had to have a healthy BMI. To achieve this, DS would have to put about 2-3 stone on while also working out to increase his fitness.

The fact that his BMI is so low, has really opened my eyes to the need to help him improve his diet but all the information I come across seems to be aimed at bodybuilders. I'm also really worried at how I'm going to afford to improve his diet when my food budget is already strained. I really am confused in how best to help him. I'd feel as if I had let him down as a mother if he can't fulfil his dream because he is underweight.

[myotherusernameisbetter]

I have one that doesn't really do potato either. That's why rice, pasta, noodles and bread were invented :)

[myotherusernameisbetter]

Oh, and dumplings, doughballs, scones and Yorkshire pudding.

[Serenitysutton]

I don't want to worry you OP but I recall reading a few years ago the diagnosis for anorexia is 15% below min BMI. I can't do the math without knowing but 2-3 stone under sounds like it might well put him in this zone. I agree a dietician under the GP is the best way to go.

[secretsquirrels]

myotherusernameisbetter Obviously there are other carbs but is the OP doomed to cook different foods for her DS than the rest of the family or do they all live on rice and pasta?
I have a niece who is severely under weight and won't eat potatoes. She seems to think she has a super healthy diet because she eats piles of veg and skips the potatoes.

[Sleepwhenidie]

secret I seriously doubt it is the absence of potatoes is your niece's diet that is making her underweight . There are plenty of other sources of carbohydrate of course but the things a body needs to be healthy and build muscle (not necessarily huge bulk but healthy weight gain) aren't found in any density in white carbs.