How Much Does Your 9/10 Year Old Weigh?

[LisaR]

I posted first, then went back and read through all the posts.

I am just amazed by all the medical experts we have here on the DIS. It's great that we have posters with more medical experience than the doctors!

I did NOT say her child was overweight. However, I would be skeptical of a doctor that did not mention to that particular poster that she may want to keep a close eye on things. Instead, she emphasized that the doctor made it clear that the child is NOT overweight.

I do not think doctors are the end all, know all anymore than I think an online BMI calculator is the way to determine a person's health. You apparently put a lot of faith in everything a doctor says.

 

[PlainJane]

My brother had to change his ADHD medication because he had lost so much weight. You might want to discuss that with his doctor.

I know, you've probably already considered that, but once my brother switched from Ritalin to Adderal all his weight came back; it also didn't have any ill effects on his behavior.

 

[Chipmunk89]

I did NOT say her child was overweight. However, I would be skeptical of a doctor that did not mention to that particular poster that she may want to keep a close eye on things. Instead, she emphasized that the doctor made it clear that the child is NOT overweight.

I do not think doctors are the end all, know all anymore than I think an online BMI calculator is the way to determine a person's health. You apparently put a lot of faith in everything a doctor says.

I don't put alot of faith in our DIS medical staff.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

My son turned 10 in June and is 4'7" and weighs almost 70 pounds. I thought he was small but he is actually just over 50th percentile on height and just under it on weight. He needs "slim" jeans. He eats when he's hungry and does eat a lot of stuff you would think would fatten a kid up (grilled cheese sandwiches) but still looks pretty skinny.
Robin M.

 

[3jsmommy]

I had this problem with pumpkin same age and adhd, they put him on the patch. He's fattening up a bit. Still tall and thin but not sickly. It's called Daytrona. Also no side effects. Hes been on it for a year now. Totally different kid. Oh the best part is he takes it off in the evening so he doesn't
have meds running through him 24 hours a day.

Daytrana, as it's spelled does pose side effects, just like all ADD/ADHD drugs.
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-144...nutrition.com/adisease/add-adhd/adddrugs.html

There was also a 7 week controlled study done where 7% of the kids had to discontinue main reason was arrhythmia & confusion.
OP, you seem to think the meds are the cause of the weight loss & I'll bet you are right, is your Dr. going to address that? Maybe not if he is the one who prescribed them.

 

[froglady]

My youngest is 15, and I can tell you from experience that both of my children went through "pudgy" stages from time to time, especially just before puberty, but then hit a growth spurt and grew into their weight.

My son't best friend was always taller and thiner than he; now my son is taller, and a bit trimmer. His friend still might hit another growth spurt; my son might, also. I know when my son is in training, he drops any pudge almost instantly.

Anyone who feels you can't trust your doctor, needs to find a different one. I know that 4 years of medical school, and a residency of 2-6 years, plus fellowship, depending on the specialty, plus years of practice, seeing thousands of children, does not make my children's pediatrician infallible, but I would certainly give his opinion a lot more weight than that expressed by a stranger on a message board.

 

[MELISAZACK]

Summer -- My DS is also on ADHD meds that supress the appittie.
he is 58 1/2 inches 10 yrs old and weights 80lbs. He is extremely active in Ice hockey on a travel team and a LAX goalie - so he is moving and exercising all the time - which I am sure ins't helping the weight issue.

Dr. said not to lose any more and we are trying - he eats 3 good meals a day but they are not large but at least healthy and I always try to offer "junk" food here and there hoping it will put a few pounds on him.

He does look skinny but not sickly skinny if that makes sense. and thanks to muscle tone he looks fit.

 

[laughinplace199]

OP, my DD just turned 9 in June. She's 51 inches and 53 pounds.

OP, I have a son like yours. He is 7, is 45 inches tall and weighs 44 pounds. We had to stuff him to break 40 pounds. He just doesn't gain weight.

I would look at your family. Were there other males who were like that when they were young? In my husband's family, they were all built like that when they were children and young teens. By all means, talk with your dr if you are concerned, but it could just be his genes.

ITA, my DS just turned 7. He's 48.5 inches and 45 pounds. He's been like this since he was a toddler. He didn't hit 40 pounds until his 6th birthday, so we're actually very pleased that he gained 5 pounds this year. His doctor said he's fine, it's just the way he is.

 

[janets]

I guess mine is about the biggest kid w/o playing football or something like that. He is 10 1/2 and about 4'10.5" and weighs about 118. He's definitely carrying some extra weight, but our ped feels that as long as we watch the junk and try for healthy portion size, we should be fine. I expect a growth spurt from him, as he hasn't had one recently.

He's been in the 100th percentile all his life. Dr. doesn't believe that at his age, working on losing weight is the right course. Better to work on gaining more slowly and making good choices.

Now other ds is a different story. He just turned 6, is 46" and weighs 47.5 lbs. Dr. says he's right at the 50th percentile and he's just fine. But his body shape is so different from older ds. Little one is long, with longer arms and legs and just seems to be lanky. Older ds has short, stocky legs, shorter torso and built more like a fire plug.

 

[mumom95]

My ds will be 9 the beginning of October and he is 54 inches, 69 pounds.

 

[jacksonsmom]

I know there are all different types of body sizes and shapes but I would question a doctor that doesn't warn you that your child may be pushing the limits. I am NOT saying he is overweight but you may want to check out an online calculator for BMI for children.

My son turned 11 this week and is 59" and 74 pounds. I wish I had his metabolism!

We did talk about not going over the limit of overweight. But his dr looks at the WHOLE child, not just numbers on a chart. Yes, by the numbers on the chart my son probably could be labeled as overweight but he isn't. Like his doctor say charts are just a guideline. He reassured my son's bodyshape is fine how it is. But did talk about good eating and staying active.

DS is very active, Tae Kwon Do 4x a week, tennis, swimming, runs once a week for a mile, not to mention always outside on his bike, scooter or just running around.
He is "heavy" but very solid. One would not realize by looking at him that he weighs that much.

 

[java]

My dd just turned 11- she is 60 pounds and about 58 inches

 

[Magic Mom]

My youngest is 15, and I can tell you from experience that both of my children went through "pudgy" stages from time to time, especially just before puberty, but then hit a growth spurt and grew into their weight.

Yep, DS has ALWAYS been tall and very thin. But at around 12, his face got round, his belly got pudgy (for him) and his legs filled out. We were all shocked. Then about 6 months later he grew 4 inches almost overnight. That was the last we saw of pudgy . Now he is 6'2" and about 140. Thin as a rail and all muscle.

 

[jacksonsmom]

I posted first, then went back and read through all the posts.

I am just amazed by all the medical experts we have here on the DIS. It's great that we have posters with more medical experience than the doctors!

I know shocking!

BTW--- I 110% trust my son's doctor --- Thank you very much

 

[Magic Mom]

DD is 56" and 67 pounds. She just turned 9.

 

[Jeninindy]

DS is 9 - is 62" tall and 118 lbs.....

He also wears a mens size 9 shoe.....dh is 6'5" though and he is in hurray to fill his daddy's shoes........literally....

 

[summerrluvv]

OP, I have a son like yours. He is 7, is 45 inches tall and weighs 44 pounds. We had to stuff him to break 40 pounds. He just doesn't gain weight.

I would look at your family. Were there other males who were like that when they were young? In my husband's family, they were all built like that when they were children and young teens. By all means, talk with your dr if you are concerned, but it could just be his genes.

My dad is very thin! VERY thin! Maybe he has his genes, although I'm not so sure since he was born pretty small but was a CHUNK until around kindergarten! I really think it's the meds and probably a combo of the genes. I've tried giving him pediasure and it didn't do much. He drinks a lot of whole milk which is loaded with fat, but that doesn't seem to pack on the pounds either.

 

[summerrluvv]

OP, my son was always small also due to his ADHD meds. Very skinny and smaller than his classmates.
Don't worry, they do catch up! I used to worry about him, each pound gained was cause for celebration. We always pulled him off meds for the summer so he would eat!
And at times when his appetite would be really low, our ped. recomended supplementing his regular diet with milkshakes made with pediasure or nutramigen and ice cream, just to get his calorie count up.

He's 15 now and while not quite as tall as most of his classmates, he is getting there. His year check up he was 5'5.75", which makes him taller than his dad and I! And his weight had gone up to 118lbs. He is still wiry, but seeing more muscle definition now. He works out and is very active.

DD is 9 and 55", 85lbs. She has been built more solid. She started life in the 25% and around age 3 jumped to 95%.

I tried taking a medication vacation for the Summer with the hopes of gaining, but it just wasn't working out. He has been going to some few hour camps, VBS, etc. and when he can't focus, it makes it hard KWIM?
I'm hopeful after reading the posts that he will not look like a little Ethiopian forever!!

 

[summerrluvv]

My brother had to change his ADHD medication because he had lost so much weight. You might want to discuss that with his doctor.

I know, you've probably already considered that, but once my brother switched from Ritalin to Adderal all his weight came back; it also didn't have any ill effects on his behavior.

That's what DS is on Adderall

 

[summerrluvv]

Daytrana, as it's spelled does pose side effects, just like all ADD/ADHD drugs.
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-144...nutrition.com/adisease/add-adhd/adddrugs.html

There was also a 7 week controlled study done where 7% of the kids had to discontinue main reason was arrhythmia & confusion.
OP, you seem to think the meds are the cause of the weight loss & I'll bet you are right, is your Dr. going to address that? Maybe not if he is the one who prescribed them.

He's not losing weight, he's just not gaining much. The doc. is the one that said to come back in a few months so I'm sure he will address it. He is ALWAYS thirsty too, so I want him to check for diabetes.