does MFP work for kids?

I would personally think not, but you should ask his DR what is the right amount of calories for someone of his age/height/weight.

seek medical advice - but I can't see any reason why logging meals can do anything but help - and MFP makes this so simple.
We often get them to keep a food diary to try to find where the refined carbohydrates are getting in to make such havoc with their teeth when Mum is in denial about sugar intake.

Thankyou so much, you have just made me realise how useful MFP could be for my patients. Thanks!

my 13 year old is overweight --- part genetics (we grow big guys at 6'3" as average) but due to concussion missed 2 seasons of football. i created an account for him not to lose weight but for him to see what he was eating. he's a carb addict!! we found out he was at 3x's the amount of sugar but at a deficit in calories every day. he enjoys logging on to see how many of the good stuff he ate and if he can keep the sugar down. if he loses weight in the process, fine ... i'm happy that he's aware of what he's eating and is focused on making good choices. he has no friends on here, cannot talk on chats or interact w/ anyone. i'm sure there's another tool at "www,myfoodpyramid.com" but this is easier because i'm on here every day. good luck!!! friend me if you want - happy to have a mom here w/ a son in the same boat!

my oldest son is overweight i made him aware of calorie intake and he has adjusted he has only lost 2 pounds in a month but he is not gaining ! he eats alot but doing better. i took him off soda and that makes a huge difference

Make exercise fun. Go ride a bike, play at the playground instead of being cooped up in front of a tv, or computer all day.
Feed them healthy snacks- carrot sticks, etc. That's all there is to it.

I can't see any reason why the LOGGING aspect of the site can be anything but beneficial to your son, however,the calorie and macro nutrient goals you would need to speak to your doctor about and set them as he/she describes. also, remember that as a growing child there will be times when your son is overweight and others when due to a growth spurt he may change to 'normal' or even under weight. especially with boys, they need a little excess calories to help them grow tall. but overall, go on what your healthcare practician/ gp/ doctor says good luck to you both :-)

10 lbs over the summer is great. (Maybe a little too much). Just keep him doing what he's been doing. Eating clean and getting outside and playing.

You could always talk to your doctor or a nutritionist to find out what his calorie/fat/carb needs are and edit his daily allowances. I don't see the harm as long as it's done in a positive and healthy manner.

As it has been said, this site is meant for people 18 and over.

As a child, he still has a chance to develop normal, healthy eating and exercise habits that will allow him to regulate his weight without having to count calories. This is the natural, human animal way of going about it. We adults should have learned this sort of thing and not be scrambling to nickel and dime everything we put into our mouths or exert on a treadmill... but this is the way we must compensate, in a society that is so messed up when it comes to how we treat our bodies. We've developed a complex about it, frankly. Please, save your son from being one of us. Allow him to be one of those increasingly rare adults that is well-adjusted and active, and never has to count a thing. These people do exist, I assure you, and they are so very lucky.

Some key things I would teach your son (and lead by example) are that there are no truly "good" or "evil" foods, and that almost anything is okay in moderation. If there is anything that you must do differently than he does, for you to lose weight as an adult, explain to him why it applies to your situation and not his (and if you don't have a good explanation, chances are it's an approach you shouldn't be taking). Teach him the difference between eating because he is bored/emotional, and eating because his body needs nourishment, and how to recognize the signs of true hunger (including how NOT to wait until he is TOO physically hungry). Explain about how it takes awhile for his stomach to tell his brain that he is full, and that's why he should eat more slowly, learning to enjoy the flavours and textures of his food, and also be willing to leave his food for later... there is no rush to eat it, and there will always be more food if he needs it (so don't use the body as a garbage disposal, to cram in as much of an available treat as he possibly can. There will always be more tempting things, in the future. It's OKAY to leave that extra cookie for someone else, etc). Explain to him that the healthier, whole foods should make up most of what he eats (again, as part of moderation), and how lean meats and other proteins, healthier fats, whole grains (and fibre), fruits and vegetables, and drinking water will keep him more full while he is in the process of losing weight, and that he has to eat in the same way once he gets down to a healthy goal, and NOT just while he's in the process ("it's a lifestyle"). If you still can, at this time of year and in your area, bring him to a U-Pick at a local farm, and/or the Farmer's Market, and have him learn more about where his food comes from. It is so much easier to appreciate a fresh, ripened-on-the-vine fruit or vegetable if it you pick it yourself, if you can smell the earth on it, and if you both can talk to the farmers who grow and sell their own produce and other whole-food products. He is also at the perfect age to start learning how to cook (with adult supervision). If he learns to appreciate quality ingredients, including with treats (a homemade baked good with real butter, etc, is better than something from a vending machine), this will also help with moderation. Getting him involved in preparing healthy, tasty dishes is another great way to develop an appreciation for this kind of food.

As for physical activity, he really shouldn't be conscious of what muscles he's working, or how many calories he is burning. Exercise for kids should be about having fun. Get him involved in sports, riding a bike with friends (family bike rides, too, and family walks), water fights, you name it. Having him confident enough in sports while he is still pre/early junior high will set him up for a successful foray into school athletics programs, and subsequently good homework/sleep/other structured habits, in his junior/secondary years of school and beyond.

Of course, I would still recommend seeing your family doctor about this, just to cover the bases and see if they suggest anything that I'm missing.