Putting weight ON

[Top totty]

My 13 year old son is underweight. He is about 5'8 tall but so very thin. He eats everything I put in front of him and more but is always on the go. Finding it hard to buy him jeans that fit properly, need mens size for the length but he has no hips or waist so belts are a must yet they still fall down.

Is there anything I can give him that will fill him out a little, he looks a sorry state as nothing fits him properly.

[Casey]

Ah bless him, he will just have a very fast metabolism. What might be an idea is if you get some advice from a gym. You can get those protein drinks and other stuff that bulk you up, preferably for body builders but they are supposed to be really good and healthy too!

[Guinevere]

An ex boyfriend of mine was 6'2" and weighed 9 stone.  He used to drink the protein drinks and also things like slimfast, as well as eating big meals.

I don't know whether it worked out, as we didn't!

[morg_monster]

though he might always be on the skinny side, i expect he'll bulk up a bit soon. Sounds like he has started his growth spurt but testosterone often takes a bit longer to kick in. If he still looks like a child (except for his height), not shaving etc, then in a while the hormones will kick in and his muscles will start to grow a bit faster, he'll start to look more 'manly' and he should fill out a bit. Until then just keep feeding him a healthy diet and Casey's suggestion is good - don't be tempted to give him a high fat diet, he won't put weight on but it'll still stick to his arteries.

[Scarlett]

Don't worry about it!! He is ony 13. This is very often a time when the growth spurt kicks in, and boys get much taller without bulking out! But this will happen. Girls get it too- often around 13 girls suddenlt get much taller, but still have no waist and hips. Then around 15 or 16 they suddenly go all curvy. This can be interpreted (by them) as getting "fat"- it's merely getting womanly. Your son will get big shoulders and arms and chest by the time he is 18. Just make sure he is eating all the RIGHT foods and doing lots of sport. If you feed him fatty things to try and make him gain weight, he will get a taste for these, and then switiching back to fruit and veggies will be even harder later on.

[FP]

Just to echo the other comments - it is perfectly normal for kids to go through the stage of growing up without growing out.  At about 17/18 your son will broaden naturally.  Don't do anything about trying to fill him out.