Question about my daughter's large appetite

[iwrbnd]

I have a question about my daughter and wondered if anybody has experienced this. This is long but please hang in there because I would really like some advice!

My daughter is 7 yrs old and has NEVER said she feels full. She will eat until I tell her she's had enough. Somewhere around 18 months the doctor said she was off the charts on her weight and to watch her. I knew she was chubby and liked her food but it was at that moment I started to limit her portions and found she always wanted more. She still is heavier than her peers but not much since I'm so careful and make sure she gets physical exercise. I have also changed how our whole family eats so I don't single her out. I only buy healthy foods and we rarely eat out. When she's away (like a weekend with grandma) I notice she gains enough weight to make her pants not snap. I'm getting really worried about her. Has anyone ever heard of a child that doesn't feel full?

One story to put it in perspective. When she was 2 we went to a baseball party for her brother at a pizza place. Since she cried a lot I let her sit and eat pizza the whole time so I could hear the awards. She ate lots of pizza, way more than me and I was full! I wanted her to walk some of that pizza off so before we even went in the house I tried taking her on a fun walk. She said she didn't want to go because she was hungry! I tried my best to make the walk fun but she cried the entire time because she was hungry! I got home and said "This is not normal!" I keep mentioning it to her doctor but he doesn't seem to have an answer. Sooo I was thinking maybe somebody out there in the internet world has experienced this!

Oh, when she was 5 I took her to an endocrinologist for it and they were super concerned because she had all the symptoms of diabetes. (Changing skin on joints and some other things) but her blood work was normal. I haven't taken her back because the only thing they were concerned about was diabetes. I wanted a full workup like thyroid, hormones or something! I actually don't even know what. Maybe there just isn't anything out there that makes you not feel full.

Any insights? Sorry this is long.

Oh, and being heavy isn't on either side of the family history. I am 5'4" and have been 105 pounds my whole life. My oldest is over 6 ft and 115 lbs...waaaay too thin! (He doesn't feel hungry...could that be related?) But, mostly we're all average weight.

Maybe I should just forget about it and accept that she has a large appetite? What would you do?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I would have her thyroid checked. I would actually insist on it no matter what the doctor thinks. Good luck!

 

[honugirl]

Have her cortisol levels checked. If they are high, that can cause you to feel like you're never full. Does she have stretch marks? Buffalo hump? Puffy face? Red cheeks? Excessive weight gain is one of our biggies and it can be several pounds in a day or so. I gained 70 pounds in just a couple of months. I live with Cushing's Syndrome (excess cortisol production) currently and it's hard to tell myself no on the really bad days when I'm really hungry. Cortisol can cycle so it may look normal one day and be high the next. It takes a series of tests to rule it out. 8am and midnight for blood draws, midnight for salivary tests and 24 hour urine collection are the acceptable tests for a diagnosis of Cushing's.

Good luck! I hope you get answers soon.

 

[englishteacha]

Is it possible that she is thirsty rather than hungry? Many people (me included) mistake thirst for hunger.

What is she eating? I also suggest the doctor, but in the meantime, try to fill her up with veggies and fruit. Hungry? Have a carrot. Still hungry? Have an apple or some broccoli. And encourage her to drink lots of water.

 

[iwrbnd]

Thanks for those suggestions! I will do it! What type of doctor checks your thyroid? How about your cortisol?

 

[happygirl]

My daughter is 6 and eats and eats. She is pretty active though. She weighs about 70 pounds.


Her peditirican says not to worry about it. WIth summer coming on I hope she will play outside and not worry about food so much.

NOt to be rude how much does your girl weigh?

 

[dis-happy]

In your shoes I'd see a pediatric endocrinologist, preferably a good one affiliated with a teaching hospital.

My friend has a ds with PWS, which includes the sympton of never feeling full. I think it only affects boys though??? Not sure. Plus, he has other developmental issues which your ped would have noticed by now.

But I would definitely ask for further testing from the endo.

 

[honugirl]

An endocrinologist will test both her thyroid, cortisol, and any other hormones that need to be checked.

 

[SDFgirl]

I saw a special on Dateline about a woman who has something called Prader-Willi Syndrome...the part of her brain that regulates hunger didn't register fullness.

I know that's an extreme case and I hate to even bring it up...hopefully that's not even close to your daughter's case.

Best of luck...

 

[iwrbnd]

I saw a show on Prader-Willi, too and the appetite part reminded me of my daughter. That child looked more "off" than my daughter although I have to say my daughter is a bit awkward socially and tends to do best with younger children. I told my husband I wanted her tested for Prader PWS just in case but he just said "She doesn't have that!" I'm embarrassed to even admit it but my husband is a doctor! I know I should have all the answers, right? Well, he is concerned (which is why I went to an endocrinologist) but he's not a god with all the answers. He works so much that he's not home to see the day to day struggle and he's too busy to even see straight sometimes. I do hear him tell her "You're done eating" and "that's enough" so I know he's concerned. Mostly he just leaves it up to me. That's why I'm branching out to my internet disfriends! Maybe I should just go back to the endocrinologist and say I want more than a diabetes workup!

Someone asked her weight. I actually don't know because we don't own a scale. I know, weird! Would it be weird to post a pic to see if it looks like Cushings?

 

[laurie31]

Your DH may be very knowledgeable, but it's hard for a parent to be objective about their own child. Of course he doesn't WANT her to have PWS (and I hope she DOESN'T!!) but there is something not right that needs to be investigated.

PWS is a spectrum disorder. Not all affected kids will be mentally or developmentally delayed.

This is from the website for the National Instiute of Child Health and Human Development:

Between the ages of 1 and 6 years old, the disorder changes to one of constant hunger and food seeking. Most people with Prader-Willi syndrome have an insatiable appetite, meaning they never feel full. In fact, their brains are telling them they are starving. They may have trouble regulating their own eating and may need external restrictions on food, including locked kitchen and food storage areas.

There are other symptoms that may affect people with Prader-Willi, including:


Behavioral problems, usually during transitions and unanticipated changes, such as stubbornness or temper tantrums

Delayed motor skills and speech due to low muscle tone

Cognitive problems, ranging from near normal intelligence to mild intellectual and developmental disabilities; learning disabilities are common

Repetitive thoughts and verbalizations

Collecting and hoarding of possessions

Picking at skin

Low sex hormone levels



Prader-Willi syndrome is considered a spectrum disorder, meaning not all symptoms will occur in everyone affected and the symptoms may range from mild to severe.

People with Prader-Willi often have some mental strengths as well, such as skills in jigsaw puzzles. If obesity is prevented, people with the syndrome can live a normal lifespan.

Find a good pediatric endocrinologist and go from there.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I know I am hypoglycemic, and I could eat and eat and eat all day long and never gain weight, or really feel full for that matter.

I literally NEED to eat (and feel hungry) every 2 hours. I literally eat a small meal (although I COULD eat a WHOLE meal...) every 2 hours!

Have you had her blood sugar checked out RECENTLY?

Does she get cranky or weak if she goes without food?

 

[iwrbnd]

I know I am hypoglycemic, and I could eat and eat and eat all day long and never gain weight, or really feel full for that matter.

I literally NEED to eat (and feel hungry) every 2 hours. I literally eat a small meal (although I COULD eat a WHOLE meal...) every 2 hours!

Have you had her blood sugar checked out RECENTLY?

Does she get cranky or weak if she goes without food?

I haven't had her blood checked in a long time. But, you said you never gain weight. My daughter gain's weight very easy, especially around her belly. That's a good thought, though. She doesn't get weak when she goes without food, though.

 

[iwrbnd]

I just got off the phone with the Children's Hospital Endocrinology dept. (It's where she went before) They could actually get her to be seen tomorrow! I couldn't do it because I have a full day at work. So, her appt. is in 2 wks. I'll keep you all updated but please keep sending me your insight. I love hearing other people's thoughts about this. I feel like I'm the only parent who is dealing with this!

You know, I saw an endocrinologist for many years growing up for PCOS. She's too young to be showing signs of that, isn't she?

 

[tiff211]

My 9 yo is like that exactly. She especially loves the carbs and wants to eat her sisters leftovers. She has always been a "solid girl" (always off the charts for height and weight) but no means overweight even though she wears a size 12 in pants. She is very active and the doctor said as long as her height and weight both were in sync no need to worry. I try not to make a big deal about it because I don't want her to get a complex. I just tell her she's had enough when she asks for a 4th roll. I wouldn't be too concerned, if she doesn't have any other unusual symptoms.

 

[dizneemom]

Oh my--your daughter sounds like my DD 9. She never feels full and immediately after a meal she says she is hungry. I put limits on food because she would just eat and eat. My daughter also gains weight easily in her belly area. Its frustrating as a parent and stressful. If she doesn't get her way that spurs a tantrum or fight. I could go on and on. My daughter just entered special ed this year for math but gets good grades otherwise. We have seen a dietician and she said to try to keep her from gaining and when she gets taller it would all even out--but since then she has gained some. We have caught her getting food in the middle of the night which has spurred even more concern. She trys to sneak it which I don't like. Sometimes I think the more we put a spotlight on it the worse it gets but I don't know what else to do. We are bringing her to a councelor also so hopefully that will help. At this point-I'll try anything.

We feel we are trying all we can. My 6 yr old daughter is too thin and 9 yr old daughter is too heavy. I cannot win!

My DH and I are concerned though-not really about the weight but more about her health! Hopefully we will get things straightened out! Let us know what your doc says!

 

[mjkacmom]

I'm glad you got an appointment. I have to get my dd7's bloodwork done to make sure she doesn't have celiac, which runs in our family. She tend to have potty issues, and is a very big eater (3 large slices of pizza for dinner, a subway footlong for lunch...). She's 4'2", and only 48 pounds. I'm not worried that she's too thin, it's just that with the amount she puts away, I don't know why she's as thin as she is - she might just have a high metabolism. I have other skinny ones, but they don't eat much.

 

[iwrbnd]

Your DH may be very knowledgeable, but it's hard for a parent to be objective about their own child. Of course he doesn't WANT her to have PWS (and I hope she DOESN'T!!) but there is something not right that needs to be investigated.

PWS is a spectrum disorder. Not all affected kids will be mentally or developmentally delayed.

This is from the website for the National Instiute of Child Health and Human Development:



Find a good pediatric endocrinologist and go from there.

Thank you for this article! I was wondering if she could have a "mild" case of it. I didn't know it was a spectrum and that helps a lot. I agree, I hope she doesn't have this! I already have 2 kids on the autism spectrum! All I can is Lord, help me if she has this because I'll lose it!

 

[iwrbnd]

I'm glad you got an appointment. I have to get my dd7's bloodwork done to make sure she doesn't have celiac, which runs in our family. She tend to have potty issues, and is a very big eater (3 large slices of pizza for dinner, a subway footlong for lunch...). She's 4'2", and only 48 pounds. I'm not worried that she's too thin, it's just that with the amount she puts away, I don't know why she's as thin as she is - she might just have a high metabolism. I have other skinny ones, but they don't eat much.

Keep me posted on your dd7, too! I hope she doesn't have celiac either. Parenting is tough isn't it?

 

[iwrbnd]

Oh my--your daughter sounds like my DD 9. She never feels full and immediately after a meal she says she is hungry. I put limits on food because she would just eat and eat. My daughter also gains weight easily in her belly area. Its frustrating as a parent and stressful. If she doesn't get her way that spurs a tantrum or fight. I could go on and on. My daughter just entered special ed this year for math but gets good grades otherwise. We have seen a dietician and she said to try to keep her from gaining and when she gets taller it would all even out--but since then she has gained some. We have caught her getting food in the middle of the night which has spurred even more concern. She trys to sneak it which I don't like. Sometimes I think the more we put a spotlight on it the worse it gets but I don't know what else to do. We are bringing her to a councelor also so hopefully that will help. At this point-I'll try anything.

We feel we are trying all we can. My 6 yr old daughter is too thin and 9 yr old daughter is too heavy. I cannot win!

My DH and I are concerned though-not really about the weight but more about her health! Hopefully we will get things straightened out! Let us know what your doc says!

Oh my goodness I'm not alone! I could have written your post all the way down to the math detail! My daughter's weight is all in her belly, too! Could that be a symptom of something? It makes me nervous because that is the worst place to have fat. Have you seen your doctor? I'll let you know how our appt goes. It's frustrating, isn't it?