My DS11 is growing wider but not taller....

[lovesmurfs]

I'm with the other posters - it's normal. If you look at his class picture, you'll probably see most of the other boys having the same challenges.

 

[HM]

My son went through this. He was getting wider and wider and everything was getting tight. Then all of a sudden he started shooting up and he could fit in his shorts again. Saved me from having to shop for all new stuff.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you for posting this question. I can relate to a lot of what has been said with my DS13. It's what I suspected (him being my first and only son), but it's good to see confirmation. He has really bulked up over the past few months. Most of his friends and teammates (and twin sister ) have already shot up, but he hasn't - significantly - yet. He must be getting ready for a growth spurt. I'm not worried about his eating as he eats pretty well. I just wondered why his clothes were getting tight yet he hasn't gotten much taller. There I have my answer.

 

[shelemm]

I have 2 brothers. All three of us got very wide when we each turned 13. We all had the same growth pattern. If both your children went through the same thing, it's in their genes as well as their jeans.

 

[Disney Doll]

My nephews (who are now in their 20's) did this....they'd get chunky, then they'ds grow and slim out. They'd did this 3 or 4 times between the ages of 13 & 18. Keep an eye on him over the next couple of months...I bet he sprouts up.

Meanwhile, the basketball will be a good, fun way for himn to get exercise.

 

[marcyinPA]

Couldn't you go up a pants size and hem the pants? I had to go that route with my youngest when the same thing happened. Better than wearing uncomfortable pants.

He mostly wears jeans, and jeans are not really easy to hem. I'd have to have them professionally done. I'm leaning towards getting him some more active pants, like the gym kind (not sweats) until the jeans are more comfortable.

 

[Frye7127]

Same here with my DS, starting last year in 3rd grade (9 y.o.) If you son will wear khaki's may i recommend the elastic waisted pants from Land's End. My DS has to wear a uniform, so when it is colder it is jeans, khaki's or blue dress pants. He loves these pants and HATES jeans because they are binding on his thighs and crotch area and he won't wear anything but boxer briefs, so I think that is part of the problem. He says these pants are like wearing sweats, but look a lot nicer.

 

[scrapquitler]

He mostly wears jeans, and jeans are not really easy to hem. I'd have to have them professionally done. I'm leaning towards getting him some more active pants, like the gym kind (not sweats) until the jeans are more comfortable.

actually, if done the right way, jeans are pretty easy to hem and look right. Try this: http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-shorten-denim-blue-jeans-a191738

 

[marcyinPA]

actually, if done the right way, jeans are pretty easy to hem and look right. Try this: http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-shorten-denim-blue-jeans-a191738

I can't sew...

 

[SpecialK]

I just remembered that I found jeans with adjustable waistbands - on the inside so it doesn't show - when my son was going through this. I think both Target and Kohls carry them.

 

[Tanbellisima]

I'm kind of worried about him. He's short for his age, but the doctors have never been concerned because he has a normal growth pattern...He has a stocky built (thick in the thighs, behind)

He used to wear a slim, but in the past two years, has filled out and wears regular pants.

My dilemma is that he is getting heavier (84 lbs) but not taller. His pants are getting tight in the waist and thighs, but I can't go up a size because they will be too long.

We eat pretty healthy (I limit, but I don't forbid junk), but I will admit that he hasn't been as active since it got cold out. He did start basketball tonight, which will run until March.

I kind of remember my oldest getting a little chunky in 6th grade too, and then he had a growth spurt and got taller.

I'm trying not to make a big deal about it, but I do worry about him.

Anyone else go through this with their pre-teen son?

Hi Marcy,

Stress, Cortisol, Genetics.

These are the monsters of weight gain and bloating.

These can all play a part. I have found in my life with my family that the real culprit is that we all have a specific genetic make-up that requires specific food.

If you really want to help your son then look at the Dr. D'Adamo Eat Right for your Type website. Follow the food list for his blood type. You will find that he will slim down and be healthy. This is an awesome tool to use to be healthy for the entire family. My family has lost a combined total weight of 200 pounds between all of us by detoxing for 30 days by eating all beneficial and neutral foods. Now we do 70% beneficial/neutral 30% whatever we want to eat daily.

Alot of times our hormones are out of wack because of the processed diet we eat. I find that even on a diet of 500 calories a day if I eat stuff I am allergic to I gain weight not lose it.

Try it out. It worked for my family and we have been doing it for almost 5 years now. You feel incredible while eating beneficial once you poop out all the toxins.

 

[Tanbellisima]

I'm kind of worried about him. He's short for his age, but the doctors have never been concerned because he has a normal growth pattern...He has a stocky built (thick in the thighs, behind)

He used to wear a slim, but in the past two years, has filled out and wears regular pants.

My dilemma is that he is getting heavier (84 lbs) but not taller. His pants are getting tight in the waist and thighs, but I can't go up a size because they will be too long.

We eat pretty healthy (I limit, but I don't forbid junk), but I will admit that he hasn't been as active since it got cold out. He did start basketball tonight, which will run until March.

I kind of remember my oldest getting a little chunky in 6th grade too, and then he had a growth spurt and got taller.

I'm trying not to make a big deal about it, but I do worry about him.

Anyone else go through this with their pre-teen son?

Here is the link for Eat Right for Your Type
Remember that if your son is allergic to a certain food due to blood type even eating straight carrots and celery or saltless bean soup for instance at 50 calories a bowl can make him fat

Its all about the bloodstream and if your insulin and hormones are regulated etc

http://www.eatrightforyourtype.com

 

[momof5boys]

Marcy go to the JC Penny's at the mall. Try on some husky sizes in whatever size he wears now, the pants won't be any longer just looser in the waist and thighs. Actually just buy them and have him try them on at home. I have found it is easier to just return stuff then drag my boys to the store(all they do is whine!)
And I know how it feels to have the shortest boy in the class! You have no idea how thrilled I was when my 16yo hit my height! I thought it would never happen he grew soooo... slow.....! No spurt for him!

 

[sandramaac]

My son had this also, and it is funny because you can see it in his school picture for about 5 years--pudgy year, followed by a normal year. He always grew out, before he got taller.

 

[Floridagal23]

Most local drycleaners have someone who will hem the jeans for 10-15 dollars a pair.

 

[IDoDis]

My DS has always been on the thick side since the day he was born at 8.7 pounds and had sumo-wrestler legs. He was always in the 85th to 90th percentile in both weight and height. His doctor said his growth pattern was steady so it was just his body type. This past summer, he was finally off the charts with his weight at age 11 yrs 4 mos. We started cutting back more (even though we've tried to be careful with him anyway). He played YAFL football and worked out hard every day. He lost 4 pounds during the football season and grew maybe a centimeter. Now he's in basketball and has grown another centimeter so almost 1/2 an inch since his doctor's appointment and he's still less those 4 pounds. He is 5'2" tall and weighs 120 pounds.

He has a has a slow metabolism, so even with all of that exercise and eating healthier, the pounds don't just drop off easily. He does wear skinny jeans now which make him look much more slender then he is. The girls at his school are all crazy about him and he's been called Justin Bieber more times than he would ever care to admit.

We are waiting for that big growth spurt to come, but it sounds like it might still be a few years away. DD's growth spurt seemed to happen in a very short time frame and then it was over.

In the meantime, we are keeping him active as much as possible.

 

[IUTBAM]

I haven't read all the replies, but if you guys generally eat healthy, don't worry! I was just looking at pics of my son from summer of 2009 (he was 14 then), and he was 5'6 ish and looked chunky, lol. 18 months later, he's a hair over 5'11, and has slimmed out nicely. Just give it time, and make sure he gets enough exercise, and eats relatively healthy.

 

[quentina]

I'm kind of worried about him. He's short for his age, but the doctors have never been concerned because he has a normal growth pattern...He has a stocky built (thick in the thighs, behind)

He used to wear a slim, but in the past two years, has filled out and wears regular pants.

My dilemma is that he is getting heavier (84 lbs) but not taller. His pants are getting tight in the waist and thighs, but I can't go up a size because they will be too long.

We eat pretty healthy (I limit, but I don't forbid junk), but I will admit that he hasn't been as active since it got cold out. He did start basketball tonight, which will run until March.

I kind of remember my oldest getting a little chunky in 6th grade too, and then he had a growth spurt and got taller.

I'm trying not to make a big deal about it, but I do worry about him.

Anyone else go through this with their pre-teen son?

My oldest is 13, 5'9" and 135 pounds. He is officially taller than both of his parents. To make matters worse, when he went for his well check, they told me he is about to have his growth spurt. He is wearing an 11.5 sneaker. So, he needed new jeans, I told him 2 pairs and wash often as we will need to replace in a few weeks anyway.

 

[marcyinPA]

OP here...got my son's BMI "thingy" from school in the mail today. According to their measurements, he's 88 pounds and 54 inches tall. He's in the 85th percentile for BMI and is "referred" for being "at risk of overweight". Every year, same thing. I've mentioned it to the dr. and they just tell me not to worry.

I was looking at him today as he decorated the tree, and he looks less chunky to me today. Isn't that funny how they can look different on a daily basis??

 

[themilesfamily]

I have three brothers and all three of them went through chunky stages in about 4-8 grade. All three are very tall and slender now in adulthood.