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

[KAMKIM]

Also I think I recall seeing some plus sizes at Penney's and they have a lot of the stretchy pants too - really cute ones. I am going to Gap tonight actually I will check their sizes as well.

 

[bumbershoot]

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./QUOTE]

Yep.


Obviously, the ice chewing might be a sign of something, and I know very well what it's like to be low on iron and not know it (was at 7 when booted from the hospital after DS's arrival and NO ONE TOLD ME until I looked at the paperwork I demanded, but I only LOOKED at it 2+ years later).

But. It's normal for girls to do that. Boys, too. My MIL is pretty harsh about weight, and always goes ON about how my son takes after my brother b/c I'm heavier than she likes and my brother is thin...but my brother was a chunk until he was a sophomore in HS! Went from a round face to angular, belly to none, etc etc, just naturally.

Also, the girl who called her fat...is probably feeling too skinny. My oldest friend and I...could not find two otherwise normal bodies SO opposite each other. I was short and curvy. She was tall and stick-ish. Everyone made fun of her (I don't remember doing so b/c I hated being made fun of, but it's possible I did), and she made fun of me. Constantly.

Found out in my 20s that her mom and my mom, who were good friends, talked to each other a lot...while I was crying in my room about her calling me fat...she was crying in her room about being too skinny. I was so jealous about the girls I felt were thin, while other girls were jealous about my chest and hips. All very normal. And there's no way that I know of to get girls to *listen*. My mom tried, and tried hard. She told me that my friend was jealous, but I REFUSED to believe her. I know some women who have always been self-confident, but that's innate in them...they didn't start off as feeling bad about themselves, they just always did feel good!

which brings me to the other thing I noticed in your post. One of the life-long self-confident women I've known since 7th grade? Half Cuban. Barrel chested. Gorgeous hands and arms, the most incredible (short) legs you have EVER seen. Big torso. Absolutely nothing she can do about that. Her two sisters don't have that body, and her brother doesn't either. But her dad had the torso and so does she. And while she didn't seem to be a beauty then, once she got her adult face, wow, she's gorgeous.

So this might be genetics, just something she'll have to work with.

 

[teacups]

Also, the girl who called her fat...is probably feeling too skinny.

Oh I doubt that. Honestly in society there is no "too skinny". Skinny girls love to call even healthy girls fat! (and I dont think it stops with just little kids.)

 

[pilesoflaundry]

If she was older I would say it's normal right before puberty. I gained a lot of weight at once and got a belly and then suddenly grew a few inches, started my period and thinned right out.

Is she on any medications or does she have asthma (steroids can cause rapid weight gain).

 

[golfgal]

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

Same here.

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.

I would also get the thyroid screen done. Since your thyroid controls your hormones, having it out of balance can throw a lot of things off. Also, if her metabolism is changing the stomach aches could be due to low blood sugar-often found in hypothyroidism. It is a simple blood draw and they will have the results in a day or two.

 

[PatsGirl]

When DD was entering puberty she got a bit thick around the waist and we started the discussion about healthy eating ~ cutting back on sugary fruit drinks and trying to eat more veggies and better snacks. Her remark "all this belly fat is going either to my hips or to my ****s and it'll be a good thing" Little did I know how true that statement was, this 12 1/2 year old looks like 15 in a bathing suit

 

[KAMKIM]

Keep in mind puberty isn't necessarily periods and pubic hair - My DD8 started wearing deodorant last year, I was shocked that she needed it ...and believe me she needed it - but the doctor said sometimes early signs of their bodies changing do happen much earlier than the obvious signs of becoming a woman.

 

[leagirl12]

I really wouldn't worry to much. My dd did the same thing about two years ago she gained alot of weight over the summer. I took her to the doctor just to make sure all was okay. Since she was a healthy eater and very active I was concerned. Everything was fine...doc just said to watch her carb intake. Now dd is tall and has lost her belly almost completely. She just needed to grow into everything I guess.

One thing I would say though....DD just thought we were going to the dr for a checkup to make sure she was healthy. I made sure not to discuss concern about her weight with the dr in front of her. I didn't want DD to think it was a vanity thing at all...I really think you have to be careful with young girls at this age.