Question -- sports nutrition and body building in kids

[PLAYER57832]

Anyone know of some GOOD sites on sports nutrition/exercise for adolescent boys?

So much of what is out there is just plain garbage, if anyone knows of some good sites, I would appreciate it. I am having a hard time finding more than glorified advertisements and off the wall claims.

I Figure at least a couple of you probably have some experience in the area?

[LYR]

Which sport? Or is it just for general health?

[PLAYER57832]

Which sport? Or is it just for general health?

Mostly just general health, ideally something my 12 year old could understand himself. (because, of course, I am now an idiot ), though I do want to brush up myself -- and I can find a way to pass on the information if its really beyond him. (priority is good information, having it be something he can grasp well himself would be a great bonus)

At his age, I don't think we want to get too sport-specific, mostly just work on general health. (?) I have tried looking, but am having a hard time weeding through to find good sites.

[Lootifer]

Lads going through puberty?

Everything. Like literally. Eat everything.

Unless they are overweight already, teenage boys really just need to eat good food and LOTs of it. Dont worry about protein or other supplements unless they are competing at the highest level, and even then its a bit of an iffy area.

The amount of testosterone being produced and consumed naturally is far in advance of anything supplements can do.

In the case of being overweight, or slightly so; the same principles apply to any age/gender: Exercise more, eat less.

[TheProwler]

What do you mean by "body building"?

Just get the kid involved in sports and eating regular, healthy food. The best exercise is playing physical sports because it builds coordination and a variety of muscle groups. Guys that primarily work out (body builders) and don't play sports are generally very uncoordinated and clumsy.

Plus, they tend to turn gay.

[muy_thaiguy]

Give the kid good food, but he'll need more and more over the next few years. Keep an eye on the weight, but leading an active life in general will help with that. Sports for a kid his age could be soccer, karate which does not have to be contact. Karate will not only help him stay in shape, it'll keep him limber. Wrestling is also a good sport, but it is also very physically demanding. I don't know how you feel about youth football, but if you don't mind it, that's also something to look into. If not, than flag football is a decent alternative.

[BigBallinStalin]

You'd want some activity which the kid enjoys--and that can take some trial-and-error (read: money and time).


The healthiest, physical sport which I know of is good training within some martial art---by a sensai who knows what he's doing. Not flarey stuff like Taekwondo (which it usually is), but someone knowledgeable of the basics. Those basic skills can translate readily into any sport--since, they would bring coordination, balance, fitness, stamina, discipline, etc.

Honestly, it depends on what kinds of activities the kid enjoys....Without his enthusiasm, you won't get the dedication, and all of that requires trial-and-error which can be costly. It's a tradeoff between how much you're willing to shell out/constrain one's budget and the kid's enjoyment of various activities. If you're patient and open, it'll be worth it in the long-run.

If not, you'll definitely risk more problems for y'all's relationship.

[PLAYER57832]

Thanks, good advice all.

[ManBungalow]

Eat lots of chicken and exercise. But not in that order.

edit: don't eat the exercise