Anonymous wrote:My 15 year old son is dieting. He's just over 6'1"and weighs 170 and not overweight but has love handles--I have never commented on them. All of a sudden, he's making salads for dinner and eating lots of lean protein, swimming, lifting weights, doing ab exercises, but given how serious he is, I am starting to get worried he'll take it too far. Maybe it's just boredom and filling time when he's off work, but any advice from other parents if this is normal or when I should worry about body dysmorphia?

My almost 16yr. old son is the opposite. He's 6'0" and weights 135 lbs. Doctor said he needs to gain 10lbs.

He is athletic and the doctor suggested to increase his protein consumption.

I've see many of his school friends at the gym and at the soccer/football fields exercising lately. I think it's part of the age.

Could be peer pressure to look better or maybe there is a girl he's trying to look good for?

I would not be worried.

DH was genetically prone to love handles. At about your son's age he went on a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Committed to it for a long time but the love handles never went away. So he chose to have lipo in his early 30s, was very happy with that choice. Your son's habits sound pretty good overall, but I'd keep an eye on his eliminating certain food groups wholesale, and also be mindful of his (over) intensifying any of this if he doesn't see the results he wants.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you should be worried. Salads are not dinner for growing teenage boys. This is how anorexia can manifest in boys. Not saying he has it, just that you should make an appointment for an evaluation with an RD who works at an eating disorder clinic/therapy practice that specializes in ED. They likely have a long wait list.
In the meantime, record your observations. Note that ED does not have to look “scary thin” to be dangerous. The immediate danger is a heart attack, and the long term damage concerns are osteoporosis and organ damage.

Good luck.
-someone who’s been there

Salads plus a lot of protein is a dinner for a teenage boy though

Anonymous wrote:That doesn't sound like a diet to me - it sounds like a healthy lifestyle. Rice is one of the best carbs to eat. Tell him also that oatmeal and potatoes are great low cal/high carb/high satiety foods to eat.

No, it's not a "healthy lifestyle" when you eliminate whole categories of food from your diet (absent a medical reason). It's an indicator of disordered eating.

That doesn't sound like a diet to me - it sounds like a healthy lifestyle. Rice is one of the best carbs to eat. Tell him also that oatmeal and potatoes are great low cal/high carb/high satiety foods to eat.

*got

This is OP. Thanks for the variety of responses. I am going to start keeping notes.

He started making his own meals and being careful with his eating once school go out. He eats no bread, pasta, salad dressing or croutons but is eating rice and lots of fresh fruit. At work, he gets comped a meal that probably is carb heavy. Osteoporosis runs in my family (men only) so I will especially keep that in mind.

Is he omitting bread? Pasta, rice? If yes, you do have something to worry about.

There is nothing wrong with salads and lean protein. Is he adding dressing and croutons to his salads? Those are reasonably caloric and yummy. If he is eating protein and veggies in sufficient quantities, then he is more likely then not fine. Most parents would be pretty happy if their kid was choosing healthy foods.

If he is not getting enough calories and is trying to skimp on everything he eats, then I would contact your Doctor and get the name of a good, certified, dietitian and bring him to see that person. He can discuss his goals and learn how to eat a healthy diet that will help him achieve those goals.

Nothing you described sounds bad. My 14 yo is trying to eat less processed food, exercise more and eat more lean meats. He’s commented that he needs to cut out the sugary drinks with friends. I’ve been telling him that forever. I’d be thrilled if he ate some salad. My son still is eating plenty, but making better choices and exercising more instead of spending 24/7 online.

How long has this been going on? I’m also thinking my son is more interested in girls now.

This could be a problem or it could be a normal teenage process of trying on new identities - "I am a person into health and fitness."
I would just watch that the exercise routine is not crowding out other activities and that he is getting plenty of calories.

Yes, you should be worried. Salads are not dinner for growing teenage boys. This is how anorexia can manifest in boys. Not saying he has it, just that you should make an appointment for an evaluation with an RD who works at an eating disorder clinic/therapy practice that specializes in ED. They likely have a long wait list.
In the meantime, record your observations. Note that ED does not have to look “scary thin” to be dangerous. The immediate danger is a heart attack, and the long term damage concerns are osteoporosis and organ damage.

Good luck.
-someone who’s been there

If you are overly thin, you might have something to worry about. If you are overweight, stay away from his eating habits, not much good you can do given that you don't know what healthy eating is.

Sounds like he is adapting to a healthy lifestyle, not dieting. Don't use the word dieting when he is trying to get fit. Just make sure you both know how many calories his growing body actually needs in a day to get through puberty and beyond and make sure he gets enough.

My 15 year old son is dieting. He's just over 6'1"and weighs 170 and not overweight but has love handles--I have never commented on them. All of a sudden, he's making salads for dinner and eating lots of lean protein, swimming, lifting weights, doing ab exercises, but given how serious he is, I am starting to get worried he'll take it too far. Maybe it's just boredom and filling time when he's off work, but any advice from other parents if this is normal or when I should worry about body dysmorphia?