Worried about DD(7) and weight gain (sorry long)

[tmarquez]

First I just want to say that I have already made a doctor's appointment for her...it's Friday afternoon.

DD(7) has always been at 25% for height and 75% for weight on the growth charts...since the day she was born. I never worried about it, she looked fine, no doctor ever said anything was not right and I figured her body type was probably due to her taking after DH's side of the family. DH is Cuban, on the short side and very thick (muscular, not fat).

Well in the past 8 months, DD has gained at least 15 pounds and it's not showing any sign of slowing. She has really outgrown the school clothes that she tried on in June! Her friend called her fat the other day. Most of the weight appears to be in her belly, but when I look at last years photos of her...I can see it everywhere.

She doesn't eat much. She doesn't eat GREAT, but not really bad either. She is a picky eater, but odd picky...not like the typical kids chicken nuggets and hot dogs type of kid. Compared to her friends...I'd say there's very little difference.

She gets a lot of exercise. She plays year round soccer with 2 hard 1 1/2 hour practices a week plus Saturday games. She swims almost every day that it doesn't storm. She swings, and slides, and runs around. She loves to dance (in preparation for her becoming a rock star). She is not much of a TV watcher or video game player.

Nothing has changed in her eating or exercise habits. Does anyone have any experience like this? Thanks for listening!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Well, kids do go through growth spurts, and I know that mine all "thicken up", if you will, just before they sprout up. So, it may be just that. However, if you're concerned, you might want to take her to her doctor for a physical, just in case. It sounds like she does lots of activities, so I would maybe talk to the doctor to reinforce "healthy lifestyle" versus dieting--she's way too young for being on a diet. And picky is okay, so long as it's healthy-picky, you know? Like, if she likes beans but not carrots, not a big deal. But, seeing a doctor might make you feel better.

 

[teacups]

I'm curious about what your doc says Friday. My dd went thru a spurt about this same age .. eventually her height caught up. I hope her friend was told that wasnt a nice thing to call a friend. I notice something else, so many of my daughters girl friends are stick thin. I mean they look almost like a backbone with clothes. Not the boys though.

 

[mjkacmom]

I have 3 children without an ounce of body fat (they look like little gymnasts), 1 who is "normal," and ds11, who's BMI is "at risk." He's 90th for height, 95th for weight, so just a little chubby (but enough to have to wear husky jeans!). He is on 4 teams this season, has a practice every day, and 4 games each weekend. He doesn't eat any more than the other kids - actually, dd6 probably eats more than he does - she must have a tapeworm.

My side of the family has issues with weight. DH's side of the family are all skinny. I believe genetics play a huge role in weight. He knows that he wasn't blessed like his siblings, and has to watch what he eats (1 slice of pizza instead of 2, portion control, etc.). I told him that if the family was trapped in a snow storm, the 2 of us had a better chance of survival!

 

[Auggietina]

my dd always gets a belly right before she is about to go through a growth spurt.

 

[java]

Really try and write down what she is eating. Even if you are eating healthy- if you are eating too many calories you're going to gain weight.
Maybe portion size is the issue?

What is she eating? What is she drinking? A simple switch over to water might help.

Good luck and to you little girl.

 

[tmarquez]

I really don't think it's portion size. She eats her dinners out of those mickey plates that Disney used to put the kids meals in. They are pretty small.

Yesterday this is what she ate:

Breakfast - 3/4 of a pancake with no syrup, maybe 4 oz of OJ, water

Snack - Pretzels ( I have a pack here, it's 110 calories), water

Lunch - about 1/2 a can of Campbells vegetable soup, strawberries, 1chocolate chip cookie, a capri sun juice bag

Snack - a bowl of some sugary cereal
Snack - raw carrots

Dinner - steak, 1/2 a baked potato w/salt, butter & sour cream, 2 helpings of green beans, crushed ice

Dessert - an empty ice cream cone (don't ask! )

She drinks lots of water and constantly chews on crushed ice. She will drink some Gatorade or soda on occassion, but mostly she just eats the ice.

Really try and write down what she is eating. Even if you are eating healthy- if you are eating too many calories you're going to gain weight.
Maybe portion size is the issue?

What is she eating? What is she drinking? A simple switch over to water might help.

Good luck and to you little girl.

 

[jfoofj]

Does anyone in your family have thyroid issues? When your thyroid isn't working it slooooowwwssss your metabolism down and you just CANT lose weight. I have Hashimoto's hypothyroidism and once they started me on levoyxl I dropped weight without changing my diet at all.

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

Definitely get some bloodwork done, including a full thyroid panel, to rule out (or find) any underlying medical issues. Nobody likes taking kids for bloodwork but it's really important to have baselines and the doctors can get a good handle on what's going on inside.

It could be anything from being "normal for her", to a vitamin deficiency, to a simple metabolic issue, to a thyroid issue, etc.

Keep a log of exactly what she does eat to go over with your pediatrician as they may have some suggestions for healthier substitutions in some areas.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you find out!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I really don't think it's portion size. She eats her dinners out of those mickey plates that Disney used to put the kids meals in. They are pretty small.

Yesterday this is what she ate:

Breakfast - 3/4 of a pancake with no syrup, maybe 4 oz of OJ, water

Snack - Pretzels ( I have a pack here, it's 110 calories), water

Lunch - about 1/2 a can of Campbells vegetable soup, strawberries, 1chocolate chip cookie, a capri sun juice bag

Snack - a bowl of some sugary cereal
Snack - raw carrots

Dinner - steak, 1/2 a baked potato w/salt, butter & sour cream, 2 helpings of green beans, crushed ice

Dessert - an empty ice cream cone (don't ask! )

She drinks lots of water and constantly chews on crushed ice. She will drink some Gatorade or soda on occassion, but mostly she just eats the ice.

I am in the go get a blood panel camp. Constantly chewing on ice could be an iron issue.

Other than that you need to do a full 2 weeks of what she eats & drinks. You may find that she starves herself one day (calorie wise) and then loads up the next.

That will put on weight as your body is in "starvation mode".

Food journals are very helpful in trying to pinpoint eating habits and calorie intake.

 

[taximomfor4]

go ahead and get her checked out. Might just be how she is, though. I have a dd11 who has always been 3rd percentile in height and 75th in weight. The dr always says they look at those #s, and expect to see an obese-looking child. What they see is a solid one, but who is definitely thicker around the waist. Her belly doesn't overhang, or have a crease under it, or anything -- but she puffs out all the way around her middle, sides, etc. It's very odd, and different than anyone iun the entire family. I was looking online today, trying to find her some jeans...they are all too tight right at the waistband. By height, she needs a size 7. By weight, she nees like a 12 -- or a 10 plus. Hardly anyone has plus size before size 10. And anyway, plus is wayy too big in the butt, thighs, etc.

If your dr does bloodwork and finds everything normal, and your dd eats pretty well and is active enough, she'll end up being whatever size she was intended to be. It's rough, I know. For dd11, kids are starting to really notice body shape a lot. Poor dd11 (4ft 2 inches, 71 lbs)

 

[amid chaos]

Have them draw blood for both thyroid and iron. From experience, the chewing crushed ice is a sign of anemia.

 

[tmarquez]

Thank you everyone!

I also forgot to say that although she has always been 25% for height and 75% for weight...she is now 10% for height and 95% for weight per the calculators I have found online. This is really my main concern, it's a sudden change.

She also has a lot of stomach aches...she describes it as the same feeling as she gets on liong car rides.

 

[mchames]

go ahead and get her checked out. Might just be how she is, though. I have a dd11 who has always been 3rd percentile in height and 75th in weight. The dr always says they look at those #s, and expect to see an obese-looking child. What they see is a solid one, but who is definitely thicker around the waist. Her belly doesn't overhang, or have a crease under it, or anything -- but she puffs out all the way around her middle, sides, etc. It's very odd, and different than anyone iun the entire family. I was looking online today, trying to find her some jeans...they are all too tight right at the waistband. By height, she needs a size 7. By weight, she nees like a 12 -- or a 10 plus. Hardly anyone has plus size before size 10. And anyway, plus is wayy too big in the butt, thighs, etc.
If your dr does bloodwork and finds everything normal, and your dd eats pretty well and is active enough, she'll end up being whatever size she was intended to be. It's rough, I know. For dd11, kids are starting to really notice body shape a lot. Poor dd11 (4ft 2 inches, 71 lbs)

My DD9 is 4ft 3 inches and 73 lbs, so about the same size as you daughter. She is built like a barrel with really skinny arms and legs sticking out. This thick stomach is also fairly new, so I'm hoping she's gearing up for a growth spurt. We also had a great deal of trouble finding pants/capris that would fit her. After lots of searching, I found that the "Skinny Jeans" in a size 8Plus from both GAP and Old Navy fit her perfectly. Have you tried there? All other plus sizes are way to big in the butt and legs for her.

 

[taximomfor4]

My DD9 is 4ft 3 inches and 73 lbs, so about the same size as you daughter. She is built like a barrel with really skinny arms and legs sticking out. This thick stomach is also fairly new, so I'm hoping she's gearing up for a growth spurt. We also had a great deal of trouble finding pants/capris that would fit her. After lots of searching, I found that the "Skinny Jeans" in a size 8Plus from both GAP and Old Navy fit her perfectly. Have you tried there? All other plus sizes are way to big in the butt and legs for her.

I will take her and try some on, thanks. She tends to not be able to wear stetchy jeans, though, because she shows too much "crack" in them after sitting for 5 minutes. She does have a tush, and dancers thighs (BIG muscles in thighs and calves). I worry that skinny jeans might feel too contricting. But it's soooo worth a try!

OP, I am a crushed ice chewer. I am not anemic or anything, I just like how it tastes and it gives a nice, satisfying crunch. HOWEVER I did crack a molar, with all my ice chewing! (BTW I'm a nurse and we were taught to check magnesium level for ice chewing, but then again I was told it's Pica....you know, when pregnant women crave non-food items...don't have to be pregnant to have pica!)

 

[Rora]

I went through this same kind of weight gain when I was your daughter's age. I'd say this is pretty normal but the fact that she made such a huge jump in percentiles is a bit alarming and so is the fact that she complains of stomach aches.

Hopefully the doctor will be able to shed some light on this but in the meantime, try to not be super concerned and make sure your DD knows that she is beautiful

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I too would say have your dd pediatrician do blood testing. I took my ds to a pediatric endocronologist for some growth issues . Ds was a teen but he had to have like 6 tubes of blood out and they tested him for over 14 diseases. Best of luck to your dd.

 

[bubie2.5]

Take her to her pediatrician. The craving for ice can be a symptom of anemia or iron deficiency.

 

[mchames]

I will take her and try some on, thanks. She tends to not be able to wear stetchy jeans, though, because she shows too much "crack" in them after sitting for 5 minutes. She does have a tush, and dancers thighs (BIG muscles in thighs and calves). I worry that skinny jeans might feel too contricting. But it's soooo worth a try!

OP, I am a crushed ice chewer. I am not anemic or anything, I just like how it tastes and it gives a nice, satisfying crunch. HOWEVER I did crack a molar, with all my ice chewing! (BTW I'm a nurse and we were taught to check magnesium level for ice chewing, but then again I was told it's Pica....you know, when pregnant women crave non-food items...don't have to be pregnant to have pica!)

The only problen is the 8plus is only available on-line. The good part is they really do have a whole bunch of styles available in that size... not just the skinny jeans.

 

[KAMKIM]

I have read and heard actually that a lot of girls "fatten up" before puberty and before growth spurts. I'm sorry her friends said that to her - I know how hard that is especially for children (and girls in general). I hope her feelings weren't too hurt.

I wouldn't be too concerned and the doctor probably wont be either, but maybe take a closer look at her growth over the next year or two.