Weird weight loss problem

ahoy_m8

BMI is a metric used with kids but I believe the values for overweight, obese, etc are different than for adults.

FWIW, I have an athletic daughter (competitive rock climbing, so built like a swimmer). At her 15 year old annual checkup, her Dr. said she was in a really high BMI percentile for her age (like 95%). I don’t remember the value, but it was around 25 (what would be approaching overweight for adults). I asked if her BMI percentile was a cause for concern, and her Dr. very adamantly declared not at all! The Dr. was really happy with her body composition. BTW, she also had sports related injuries involving just about every tendon in her hands and arms. Her specialty was speed climbing which involves explosive, dynamic moves, and she eventually had tendon issues in her feet/lower legs, too. Like swimming, it’s a sport where every pound impacts performance (and strains tendons), but not once did an ortho (she saw several) implicate her weight or suggest she lose any.

She’s in college now (19 years old) and no longer competing. She makes time for a workout most days, but it’s not like the 2hr and 3hr team workouts she had 5 days/week, so she has had to adjust (along with all the other adjustments in college life). She was careful and didn’t gain weight her 1st year. She’s in her 2nd year and struggling to resist temptations and to stick to good habits that worked for her last year. She asks me for advice from time to time, and I don’t know what to say besides the struggle is real. I’m a long time maintainer, and I still would like to eat more than I actually need many days, so it’s a battle— a battle I’m winning but a battle nonetheless. Maintaining a healthy weight takes effort for many of us.