Question about my daughter's large appetite

[iwrbnd]

Well, she is not overweight. My DD weighed more than that when she was 7. She still had baby fat up until around the age of 10. Then she really stretched and thinned out. She's almost 14 now and is a beautiful figure skater with lots of lean muscle. The belly went away when she got her growth spurt at puberty.

If the blood work doesn't show problems, try not to get worked up by it, especially around her because the last thing you want her to have when she's a teen is an eating disorder by thinking she's fat. Not saying you are doing that by any means. She's right in the middle which is perfect.

I agree about the eating disorder! I hope she never knows I'm concerned! Right now we talk about food as being healthy and not healthy. We've made the changes for the whole family so we're all benefiting from it. You're right, though, it's very possible she'll outgrow this or that this is all just normal for her. I just want to cover my bases so someday I'm not saying "I wish I had known earlier". I think that's my biggest fear.

 

[mjkacmom]

Yes, she was 61 pounds at 7 years old which puts her right at 50th percentile which is actually perfect. She looks pretty good except her belly. She carries her weight in the middle and I have a hard time getting pants to fit her. I've got it under control now but I worry about her future when she doesn't have external limits put on her. I guess I'll just have to cross that bridge when/if it gets here. Maybe I'm over-reacting but people that are close to her don't think I am. Oh, well. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing which is healthy for our whole family anyway.

My dd7 is 48 pounds, and at her last appointment, was in the 50th% for weight (and she was about 48", 75th%, I think, for height).

ETA - I think she did weigh 50 pounds, but the Wii tells her she's 48 (and underweight, which bugs her), and she may be taller than I thought (I remember the percentage, because it was the same as her twin brother). 61 pounds is not in the 50th%, though. Even my pediatrician seems to recommend blood tests, because they get the standard test every other year anyway.

 

[lisaviolet]

Ha, ha! Thanks, I needed a good slap in the face!

Laughing. Then I would have to slap myself as well. "Nice" just doesn't cut it sometimes.

Well, she is not overweight. My DD weighed more than that when she was 7. She still had baby fat up until around the age of 10. Then she really stretched and thinned out. She's almost 14 now and is a beautiful figure skater with lots of lean muscle. The belly went away when she got her growth spurt at puberty.

If the blood work doesn't show problems, try not to get worked up by it, especially around her because the last thing you want her to have when she's a teen is an eating disorder by thinking she's fat. Not saying you are doing that by any means. She's right in the middle which is perfect.

Absolutely about thinning out. So many children are like that. And so smart about watching how we portray food to children.

But the OP's concern is her child not having the ability to stop eating. That was the issue. Was that your child as well? The OP has to let her kmow it's time to stop eating. That can't be "normal" for a child not having a internal "I don't want any more food". (Teenage boys maybe. ) And some physical signs on her body beyond her body shape.

I agree about the eating disorder! I hope she never knows I'm concerned! Right now we talk about food as being healthy and not healthy. We've made the changes for the whole family so we're all benefiting from it. You're right, though, it's very possible she'll outgrow this or that this is all just normal for her. I just want to cover my bases so someday I'm not saying "I wish I had known earlier". I think that's my biggest fear.

I came back on this morning to tell you that you are brilliant mother. I was thinking about you. To know not to focus on her - to hide it from her by including the family in the changes that will help her. To get her help (if it turns out she does have a medical issue ) but not ALERT her. It's not easy. Unfortunately, I don't have children - but I can see that all of that takes sensitivity and thinking before you talk/actions.

Good for you OP. And all the best to you.

 

[happygirl]

Yes, she was 61 pounds at 7 years old which puts her right at 50th percentile which is actually perfect. She looks pretty good except her belly. She carries her weight in the middle and I have a hard time getting pants to fit her. I've got it under control now but I worry about her future when she doesn't have external limits put on her. I guess I'll just have to cross that bridge when/if it gets here. Maybe I'm over-reacting but people that are close to her don't think I am. Oh, well. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing which is healthy for our whole family anyway.

She's not big at all. My daughter is a little big then that. Try not to worry

 

[lisaviolet]

especially around her because the last thing you want her to have when she's a teen is an eating disorder by thinking she's fat.
.

This is not for you OP. Obviously because you agree.

Just highlighting this because it's so smart for others to read. I've seen a few children that were told they were fat or alluded that there was an issue - when they were just bigger than their family ie. not fat just different - and then they BECAME fat or had eating issues. Because you can't lose bones or you just carry a bit more and people think you have an issue there is no where to go for a child.

Janet Jackson actually says this is why she struggles because as a chubby - and very cute - little one she was teased about being fat over and over so it just became her lifelong issue.

 

[lisaviolet]

She's not big at all. My daughter is a little big then that. Try not to worry

But the OP doesn't think she's big at all. She agrees. It's the keep eating and not knowing when to stop and physical signs on her body that is worrying her. Without the never full issue and the body signs the OP wouldn't be worrying at all.

happygirl - I love the quote in your signature.

 

[princessmom29]

My dd7 is 48 pounds, and at her last appointment, was in the 50th% for weight (and she was about 48", 75th%, I think, for height).

ETA - I think she did weigh 50 pounds, but the Wii tells her she's 48 (and underweight, which bugs her), and she may be taller than I thought (I remember the percentage, because it was the same as her twin brother). 61 pounds is not in the 50th%, though. Even my pediatrician seems to recommend blood tests, because they get the standard test every other year anyway.

Thge charts my Ped use take height into account when looking at percentile for weight as well as age. So it compares all girls the are 7 and 48" for example. That may be the difference. If she is taller than your dd the on those carts61 lbs could be in the 50 th percentile.

My DD is 6.5 46.5" tall and 54 lbs. Acoording to the child bmi charts she is overweight. I don't think her weight is unhealthy. She dances and has a fair amount of muscle on her lower body. I really don't think those charts are the be all and end all for determinig wether your child is at a healthy weight for them. Her si DD by the way. I don't think she looks like an overweight child. I think that in this case the charts don't tell the whole story.

 

[buckler]

My DD's and I have been watching Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. It doesn't emphasize weight as a body image thing, it's an overall health thing.

 

[StartedAJoke]

iwrbnd,

Your daughter at 7 is exactly as my daughter was, who is now 15. We could tell early on she had a more-than-hearty appetite and carried weight around her middle. No doctors were concerned, as she was always on the taller side. She ran in the 75% for height, 90% for weight. A decent balance, according to her pediatricians.

At 12 (puberty) she started feeling nauseous in the mornings, always hungry once she'd been up and eaten. Craved carbs all the time. At 13 she had one period, and maybe one more around a year later.

We switched to a family physician who paid some attention. They ran full blood tests, including an adrenal check. Her testoterone and lutein are far too high. Dr. said these are markers for PCOS (along with the messed up monthly cycles.) We were referred to a GYN who specializes in PCOS who, in turn, referred us to an Endo who specializes in PCOS.

Today, she is still battling. She's 5'5", 170lbs and carries the majority around her middle. She is on metformin, trying to lose 10% of her body weight, but is having trouble changing her habits.

Please find a doctor who will check you DDs adrenal levels. Looking back, my DD has showed signs of this since she was about 1yo, but nothing was done until puberty. I don't have any answers, at this point, but I wish we'd caught it earlier.

 

[happygirl]

happygirl - I love the quote in your signature.

Thanks I think it's one of my favorite quotes

 

[IDoDis]

My dd7 is 48 pounds, and at her last appointment, was in the 50th% for weight (and she was about 48", 75th%, I think, for height).

ETA - I think she did weigh 50 pounds, but the Wii tells her she's 48 (and underweight, which bugs her), and she may be taller than I thought (I remember the percentage, because it was the same as her twin brother). 61 pounds is not in the 50th%, though. Even my pediatrician seems to recommend blood tests, because they get the standard test every other year anyway.

Yes, that is true, that 70lbs is not the 50th percentile. Maybe the OP typed in the wrong weight by mistake. My DS doesn't seem to have a shut off valve either. He'll eat all day long if I let him, but I do get him to say, "I'm full" when I serve him a plate of veggies!

 

[mjkacmom]

Thge charts my Ped use take height into account when looking at percentile for weight as well as age. So it compares all girls the are 7 and 48" for example. That may be the difference. If she is taller than your dd the on those carts61 lbs could be in the 50 th percentile.

My DD is 6.5 46.5" tall and 54 lbs. Acoording to the child bmi charts she is overweight. I don't think her weight is unhealthy. She dances and has a fair amount of muscle on her lower body. I really don't think those charts are the be all and end all for determinig wether your child is at a healthy weight for them. Her si DD by the way. I don't think she looks like an overweight child. I think that in this case the charts don't tell the whole story.

Your dd doesn't look overweight to me, but my kids are lean and muscular. Dd9 is 52", 52 pounds, and dances 7 hours a week. Dd7 dances 2 hours a week. I can count every rib, front and back, of my 3 youngest, and they have 6 pack abs and well defined shoulder and bicep muscles. They are very active, and ADHD runs in the family.

I think the OP is concerned about the lack of not being able to be full. Young kids tend to stop eating when they are no longer hungry, even foods they love. Now, my dd13 eats for recreational reasons - she's bored, something tastes really good, etc. Fortunately, she has a very high metabolism - something that doesn't last way into adulthood, unfortunately for her. But young children don't tend to eat like this.

 

[princessmom29]

Your dd doesn't look overweight to me, but my kids are lean and muscular. Dd9 is 52", 52 pounds, and dances 7 hours a week. Dd7 dances 2 hours a week. I can count every rib, front and back, of my 3 youngest, and they have 6 pack abs and well defined shoulder and bicep muscles. They are very active, and ADHD runs in the family.

I think the OP is concerned about the lack of not being able to be full. Young kids tend to stop eating when they are no longer hungry, even foods they love. Now, my dd13 eats for recreational reasons - she's bored, something tastes really good, etc. Fortunately, she has a very high metabolism - something that doesn't last way into adulthood, unfortunately for her. But young children don't tend to eat like this.

I was nto trying to discount from what is going on with the op at all. I just wanted to point out with the discussion turning to eating disorders and such that the carts docs use don't always tell the whole story about wether a child needs to lose weight. It made me feel horrible to see that word "overweight" associated with my child b/c I have struggled all my life with weight and have worked very hard to teach her to make better choices than I have. Her ped. assures me that it is NOT an issue, and she is at a perfectly normal weight for her, but it still stung a little. I would never want a child thinking there is something wrong with them b/c they don't fit exactly into some chart.
I agree that mom's intuition is usually pretty reliable and the op should push to get the testing for her DD. If there is nothing wrong at least she can be sure. I sure sounds like something is up to me, however.

 

[iwrbnd]

iwrbnd,

Your daughter at 7 is exactly as my daughter was, who is now 15. We could tell early on she had a more-than-hearty appetite and carried weight around her middle. No doctors were concerned, as she was always on the taller side. She ran in the 75% for height, 90% for weight. A decent balance, according to her pediatricians.

At 12 (puberty) she started feeling nauseous in the mornings, always hungry once she'd been up and eaten. Craved carbs all the time. At 13 she had one period, and maybe one more around a year later.

We switched to a family physician who paid some attention. They ran full blood tests, including an adrenal check. Her testoterone and lutein are far too high. Dr. said these are markers for PCOS (along with the messed up monthly cycles.) We were referred to a GYN who specializes in PCOS who, in turn, referred us to an Endo who specializes in PCOS.

Today, she is still battling. She's 5'5", 170lbs and carries the majority around her middle. She is on metformin, trying to lose 10% of her body weight, but is having trouble changing her habits.

Please find a doctor who will check you DDs adrenal levels. Looking back, my DD has showed signs of this since she was about 1yo, but nothing was done until puberty. I don't have any answers, at this point, but I wish we'd caught it earlier.

Thanks for sharing your story! That could very well be what we're dealing with. My adrenals pumped out waaaay too much testosterone as a teen and I ended up seeing and endocrinologist and taking lots of medicine to get it under control. (Still take some meds today) I didn't have the typical pcos symptoms like your daughter and my daughter but the underlying problem was still the same. My main symptom was acne and I wish I could take away all the years I suffered with that as a teen! I was diagnosed at 18 and always thought "I wish I had known earlier" which is why I'm so proactive. I don't want her to be struggling as an adult and then find out something biologically has been out of whack her whole life. She's a wonderful sweet little girl and I will accept any body type God has given her! I just want her healthy! Thanks everybody for the kind words about my daugter and I! It means a lot to me!

 

[iwrbnd]

Thge charts my Ped use take height into account when looking at percentile for weight as well as age. So it compares all girls the are 7 and 48" for example. That may be the difference. If she is taller than your dd the on those carts61 lbs could be in the 50 th percentile.

My DD is 6.5 46.5" tall and 54 lbs. Acoording to the child bmi charts she is overweight. I don't think her weight is unhealthy. She dances and has a fair amount of muscle on her lower body. I really don't think those charts are the be all and end all for determinig wether your child is at a healthy weight for them. Her si DD by the way. I don't think she looks like an overweight child. I think that in this case the charts don't tell the whole story.

Your daughter is beautiful and looks perfect! I wouldn't worry so much about my own daughter if she could show even the slightest hint of being able to self-monitor her food intake.

 

[iwrbnd]

Lisaviolet and all others...thanks again for your encouragement!

 

[princessmom29]

Your daughter is beautiful and looks perfect! I wouldn't worry so much about my own daughter if she could show even the slightest hint of being able to self-monitor her food intake.

We are trying to encourage you and here you are making me feel better. Thanks and hang in there! I hope you get the answers you need soon!

 

[StartedAJoke]

My DD15 isn't able to self-monitor her food intake, still. Over the last week she's been eating a good 4 or 5 meals a day and then last night we noticed she skipped 15 doses of her Metformin (I counted the pills.) The Met does curb her cravings for carbs and fats, and she did lose weight -- when I was monitoring her taking it. Last week was Spring break and she had a few sleepovers. I trusted her to take it, but she's 15. She'd rather have pizza, fries, pasta . . .

OP, you are doing the right thing. I wonder, though, if because your daughter is still growing, the doctors aren't more concerned. It took until my DD stopped growing, and missed cycles, for anyone to take notice.

to you and your beautiful girl!

 

[iwrbnd]

My DD15 isn't able to self-monitor her food intake, still. Over the last week she's been eating a good 4 or 5 meals a day and then last night we noticed she skipped 15 doses of her Metformin (I counted the pills.) The Met does curb her cravings for carbs and fats, and she did lose weight -- when I was monitoring her taking it. Last week was Spring break and she had a few sleepovers. I trusted her to take it, but she's 15. She'd rather have pizza, fries, pasta . . .

OP, you are doing the right thing. I wonder, though, if because your daughter is still growing, the doctors aren't more concerned. It took until my DD stopped growing, and missed cycles, for anyone to take notice.

to you and your beautiful girl!

Sounds like you are on the ball with your daughter's health! I guess asking my 7 year old to self-monitor is a bit much when it's hard for teens and even adults to do it! I think you're right that we're probably going to have to wait until she's older and symptoms (if there is a problem) are much more obvious. I was hoping to be more preventative and do some early intervention rather than back-tracking in 10 years. And maybe this is all normal for her and I'm going to look back at this and laugh at myself someday! I do that a lot so it will be easy!

 

[iwrbnd]

I just wanted to say thanks again for everyone's support!