How to Gain Weight Playing Sports As a Teenager

There is a lot of emphasis on obesity among teenagers. Consequently there is plenty of information available about how to lose weight. But some teens have just the opposite problem. They may be growing so fast that their bodies use all the energy generated by their intake of calories just to keep up. The result may be teens that are too lean for their height. Gaining weight can be a real challenge for teens who are active and participate in certain sports, but it can be done in a manner that is both safe and healthy.

Instructions

• 1

  See your physician for a complete physical checkup to ensure that there is no medical reason for your lack of weight gain. Discuss any specifics of your situation that might affect your weight, including any sporting activities you participate in. Make sure you are healthy enough for the exercises that will be required. Set a target goal for weight gain and discuss any suggestions your physician might have for putting on weight.

• 2

  Adjust your mealtime habits. Eat five or six smaller meals spaced throughout the day rather than the traditional three meals per day. Add dense, calorie-rich, nutritious snacks between meals such as nuts, cheese or fresh fruit.

• 3

  Eat foods from all categories on the food pyramid. Concentrate on nutrient-rich foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads and cereals, lean meats and low-fat dairy products. Avoid foods that are high in calories but low in nutritional value.

• 4

  Drink plenty of water. Avoid drinks that have empty calories. For variety drink nutrition-heavy fruit smoothies, fruit and vegetable juices and milk shakes made from low-fat milk.

• 5

  Include weight-bearing or resistance-type exercises to your workout. Also known as anaerobic exercises, these types of exercises help you bulk up by building muscle which is heavier than fat and can help you add weight.