Food vs. Weight with Puberty!

crystalfisher89

I have a problem and I need your advice. My niece is 10 years old (she lives with me) and gaining weight at a relatively quick rate. She is about to hit puberty (she's 5'1" already!!!), already developing on top, and we now have to make sure she wears deodorant all the time. She eats healthily at home and snacks are usually yogurt, granola bar, cheese stick, or cauliflower (proud of that last one!). She eats the same as I do and we have a specific doctor that keeps insisting I need to cut a good chunk of carbs and sugar out of her diet (we don't eat much sugar at home...) and get her exercising more. (I've already started getting her on a C25K program because she wants too) I guess my issue is, I feel like she will grow out of this chubby phase (because I was the same at her age), but he keeps making a huge deal that she is fat and that her food is the cause. What should I do? I can't force her to eat foods she doesn't like and I'm trying to get her active. I really feel that this is a prepuberty thing, but maybe I'm wrong? Is there anything I can do to alleviate it without making her feel as if she is fat when I feel she really isn't?

wilsoje74

How much does she weigh?

Phoenix_Warrior

Talk to her pediatrician?

SteveJWatson

Shes 10 - as long as her diet doesn't contain too much sugar she'll be fine. Sounds like she gets plenty of excercise etc. If you can, try and guide her towards more complex carbs (brown bread, pasta etc) but don't sweat it too much if you can't.

As you said - growing kids sometimes get a bit chubby. Its life.

bcattoes

It completely natural for girls to put on weight when they reach puberty. But, if she is gaining too much, then cutting back might not be a bad thing. You say a "specific doctor". Does that mean she sees more than one, but only one is concerned?

I'm not a doctor and don't know this child but being overweight as a child can lifelong health risks associated with it. I would listen if a doctor told me my child needed to lose weight.

schmetterling1

Reading posts on here has made me weary about some doctors. They don't always give good advice.

When my son was a year old he was 32lbs. Yes that is big. However I only gave him good healthy foods, mostly homemade. Never any sweets. His doctor was very concerned. I wasn't because I knew he had a lot of growing to do. His father is tall and I think he will be too. Sure enough he grew and is a normal sized 9 year old now.

I don't know how big she is but she still has growing to do. She is exercising and eating healthy. I would maybe think about getting a second opinion before anything else.

Good luck. :flowerforyou:

Amberlynnek

I have a problem and I need your advice. My niece is 10 years old (she lives with me) and gaining weight at a relatively quick rate. She is about to hit puberty (she's 5'1" already!!!), already developing on top, and we now have to make sure she wears deodorant all the time. She eats healthily at home and snacks are usually yogurt, granola bar, cheese stick, or cauliflower (proud of that last one!). She eats the same as I do and we have a specific doctor that keeps insisting I need to cut a good chunk of carbs and sugar out of her diet (we don't eat much sugar at home...) and get her exercising more. (I've already started getting her on a C25K program because she wants too) I guess my issue is, I feel like she will grow out of this chubby phase (because I was the same at her age), but he keeps making a huge deal that she is fat and that her food is the cause. What should I do? I can't force her to eat foods she doesn't like and I'm trying to get her active. I really feel that this is a prepuberty thing, but maybe I'm wrong? Is there anything I can do to alleviate it without making her feel as if she is fat when I feel she really isn't?

Do you pack her lunch or does she eat at a cafe? One of my issues growing up at that age was the access I had to soda, chips and candy at school that I didn't have at home. I would gorge on it when I had the opportunity. Maybe teach her how to properly enjoy treats? FYI - I'm not a mother, I've never raised a child but it seems like you are approaching this in the right manner and really like you are trying to teach her healthy skills. Maybe have her write down everything she is eating in one day and then teach her why each decision is good or how it could be better. Also contact a pediatrician. Good luck and great job so far.

crystalfisher89

Well right now she weighs 120lbs. We've had her thyroid tested and she's fine with that. I've spoken to her pediatrician (he's obese though so sometimes I take what he says with a grain of salt, but it's who we have to go to as per Medicaid required : /) and he says she's heavy, but he thinks she'll outgrow the chubbiness. The doctor that is most concerned is her psychiatrist because we are considering switching her medicine and it WILL cause weight gain.

She does a lot of the same things as I do. For example, as I said she eats what I eat. I have limited sugar intake in my house hold. Sweets are literally locked up in a cabinet that only I have the key to because she will gorge on them. The home she was previously in she had to fend for herself and ate a lot junk food instead of real food. It boggles me that we eat very healthy food and she still gains weight. I am fairly certain that she is just about ready to have a growth spurt and start full on puberty earlier than most girls. If I can, I am going to see if her doctor will give us a referral to a nutritionist for her. She is active and I'm teaching her how to run because she wants to run a 5k with me (the Color Run she specifically requested!). She actually has VERY skinny legs and arms, it's just her belly in which she looks rather bloated.

crystalfisher89

I have a problem and I need your advice. My niece is 10 years old (she lives with me) and gaining weight at a relatively quick rate. She is about to hit puberty (she's 5'1" already!!!), already developing on top, and we now have to make sure she wears deodorant all the time. She eats healthily at home and snacks are usually yogurt, granola bar, cheese stick, or cauliflower (proud of that last one!). She eats the same as I do and we have a specific doctor that keeps insisting I need to cut a good chunk of carbs and sugar out of her diet (we don't eat much sugar at home...) and get her exercising more. (I've already started getting her on a C25K program because she wants too) I guess my issue is, I feel like she will grow out of this chubby phase (because I was the same at her age), but he keeps making a huge deal that she is fat and that her food is the cause. What should I do? I can't force her to eat foods she doesn't like and I'm trying to get her active. I really feel that this is a prepuberty thing, but maybe I'm wrong? Is there anything I can do to alleviate it without making her feel as if she is fat when I feel she really isn't?

Do you pack her lunch or does she eat at a cafe? One of my issues growing up at that age was the access I had to soda, chips and candy at school that I didn't have at home. I would gorge on it when I had the opportunity. Maybe teach her how to properly enjoy treats? FYI - I'm not a mother, I've never raised a child but it seems like you are approaching this in the right manner and really like you are trying to teach her healthy skills. Maybe have her write down everything she is eating in one day and then teach her why each decision is good or how it could be better. Also contact a pediatrician. Good luck and great job so far.

She eats school lunch, and as a teacher I can assure you, the food is very healthy. Schools actually cannot have caffeinated drinks, candy, or any other unhealthy food item in vending machines or on the school premises that kids have access to. When I do pack her a lunch it's usually a PBJ sandwich, cheese stick, a fruit item, and if I have cauliflower (currently the only veggie I can get her to eat) then that's in there too. I know jelly isn't the best option, but she hates lunch meat and it has to be something you can eat cold. If it's any consolation, she eats natural peanut butter with it.... :laugh:

schmetterling1

I was 11 when I started and I have heard of girls starting earlier than that so I don't think she is starting to early. I didn't realize she was on medication and with her history I can see why you are concerned. I'm glad she wants to be involved in runs and exercise routines. Just keep on being a good gardian to her. Sounds like she wants to be healthy so keep talking about healthy choices with her. All the best to you and her!!

Amberlynnek

She does a lot of the same things as I do. For example, as I said she eats what I eat. I have limited sugar intake in my house hold. Sweets are literally locked up in a cabinet that only I have the key to because she will gorge on them. The home she was previously in she had to fend for herself and ate a lot junk food instead of real food. It boggles me that we eat very healthy food and she still gains weight. I am fairly certain that she is just about ready to have a growth spurt and start full on puberty earlier than most girls. If I can, I am going to see if her doctor will give us a referral to a nutritionist for her. She is active and I'm teaching her how to run because she wants to run a 5k with me (the Color Run she specifically requested!). She actually has VERY skinny legs and arms, it's just her belly in which she looks rather bloated.

That is while she under your eye. What about when she's at school? What does she have access to? Who is trading lunch items with? etc. Also, keeping the sweets locked up might have a negative effect and make her want these sweets and bad food MORE. I went through it as a child. Maybe remove them entirely from the house and then take her once a week to go get ice cream or go to a bakery and teach her how to treat herself. You can't be around her and her food choices all the time. She is spending 8 hours a day making those decisions herself and if she can't access at home what she can access at school, she will be more inclined to eat it. Just because the school doesn't have vending machines, doesn't mean that the other kids don't have it in their lunches and aren't sharing. Just a thought from my school experience. Like I said, I'm not a parent nor a teacher but I was a chubby 10 year old

castadiva

I'd pursue that nutritionist/dietician referral. It doesn't sound like there's too much to be worried about right now, and it's not only possible but quite likely she's in the early stages of puberty and will 'even out' as soon as she gains height, especially if her arms and legs are still thin. It sounds like you're doing everything you can, and kudos to you for taking on your niece' upbringing. That said, if her new medication is going to cause weight gain, then there's definitely a case for someone expert and experienced in children's nutritional needs at this time in their lives to be helping figure out the best plan of action to avoid that as much as possible. I'm heartened by your concern for her emotional, as well as physical, health, by the way. Very best of luck to you and your niece.

wilsoje74

120 doesn't really seem that overweight for 5'1". Locking sweets away may not be a good idea, will come across as "forbidden". Many kids that are forbidden to eat sugar/etc as a child have major food issues later.

bcattoes

Well right now she weighs 120lbs. We've had her thyroid tested and she's fine with that. I've spoken to her pediatrician (he's obese though so sometimes I take what he says with a grain of salt, but it's who we have to go to as per Medicaid required : /) and he says she's heavy, but he thinks she'll outgrow the chubbiness. The doctor that is most concerned is her psychiatrist because we are considering switching her medicine and it WILL cause weight gain.

She does a lot of the same things as I do. For example, as I said she eats what I eat. I have limited sugar intake in my house hold. Sweets are literally locked up in a cabinet that only I have the key to because she will gorge on them. The home she was previously in she had to fend for herself and ate a lot junk food instead of real food. It boggles me that we eat very healthy food and she still gains weight. I am fairly certain that she is just about ready to have a growth spurt and start full on puberty earlier than most girls. If I can, I am going to see if her doctor will give us a referral to a nutritionist for her. She is active and I'm teaching her how to run because she wants to run a 5k with me (the Color Run she specifically requested!). She actually has VERY skinny legs and arms, it's just her belly in which she looks rather bloated.

Perhaps she is bloated, rather than fat. It could be from a food intollerance. You might try limting dairy for a while and see if it gets better. But it could be anything, dairy is just a common intollerance. A nutritionist would be able to help with this as well.

It sounds like the doctor might be concerned solely because of the extra weight gain from a new med since she's already a little chubby.

Mokey41

You can over eat on healthy foods just as easily as on junk foods. My brother in law has Down's Syndrome and is obese. My mother in law only fed him good healthy food but way too much of it. Is it possible that she's eating the healthy food when you don't see her?

120 lbs @ 5'1" isn't horribly overweight for an adult woman but it's pushing for a 10 year old. It's possible she's gearing up for a growth spurt but it concerns me that you describe it as mostly belly fat with skinny arms and legs.

roxylola

She is the same weight as me at 5'2 but obviously I have a womans figure.

I would try and get some weight off her if possible, not loads necessarily but enough that she is not going to feel self concious doing pe and stuff at school especially into her teens

kenzietate

Possibly ask for a hormone test panel if you are concerned. I was around in the same position when I was 10 and all of the weight was on my stomach. I was VERY active as I played softball, tennis and we went swimming all the time, I played in the backyard with my brother constantly and we were just naturally active. We had very good diets and though we were allowed dessert on some nights, junk was not prevalent and our main snacks were yogurt and fruit. My siblings are all naturally thin. I on the other hand was always REALLY strong for my age/gender (still am) and had the extra around my middle.

Turns out, had they actually tested my hormones the would have found out that I was severely unbalanced. I had the beginning stages of insulin resistance and I had PCOS. The weight around the stomach area gathering and then not followed by a growth spurt is a common symptom! Now I went through precocious puberty around 8 years old and my period started at 10. She is probably not to the point yet where they can check on the hormones. I would keep an eye on her, we are watching my 10 year old sister now. She may not have anything wrong with her in that area but on the off chance it might help her, a simple blood test is a small price to pay!

Also, don't forbid anything necessarily but keep the grains and carbs to a lower part of her diet. Find new recipes for veggies like roasting. Have her help you cook them because when I child helps prepare food they are much more likely to want to eat food. Make choosing the right foods fun!

Most of all, don't comment on her weight to her! People commented all the time to me and if I hadn't come home to parents who supported me and didn't mention it, I would have broken down. She knows how she looks and is most likely going to be (if not already) more upset than you know!

ldrosophila

Oh my she has developed fast. I imagine she is not far off from starting her period either which means the body will put down a new layer of fat especially around the hips, thighs, breasts as it prepares for reproductive maturity. I'm a little unsure as to why the MD is saying cut out carbohydrates is she diabetic?

Auntie you are at a crucial crucial juxtoposition in her life. What happens now can either carry her and support her the rest of her life, or set up negative patterns with food and her body.

First, youre doing the right thing you are modeling good behaviors. The emphasis and education is on what is a healthful food, what nourishes the body, what foods a young lady needs to develop into a woman (i.e. healthy fats, calcium, iron, and protein). It is not about her body at all or what it looks like I should say. It is what her body can do. I dont care if she walks a little more one day or instead of sitting down at recess she plays basketball. Remind her how beautiful she is how her body is changing and that these changes are perfectly normal.

Just take it from intuition and love. Model the behaviors and she'll grow into a strong young woman with a good relationship to food and her body.

Pearsquared

If she's ten years old and already 5'1'', she's probably going to shoot up like a weed. As long as she's getting the exercise she needs (as ALL children need exercise), I wouldn't worry about it. She probably just holds her weight in her stomach. My brother shot up like a weed and thinned out considerably as he hit puberty.

Also, I always find it funny when I'm the same height as a ten year-old. xD I didn't stand a chance in the height department.

Carnivor0us

Well right now she weighs 120lbs. We've had her thyroid tested and she's fine with that. I've spoken to her pediatrician (he's obese though so sometimes I take what he says with a grain of salt, but it's who we have to go to as per Medicaid required : /) and he says she's heavy, but he thinks she'll outgrow the chubbiness. The doctor that is most concerned is her psychiatrist because we are considering switching her medicine and it WILL cause weight gain.

She does a lot of the same things as I do. For example, as I said she eats what I eat. I have limited sugar intake in my house hold. Sweets are literally locked up in a cabinet that only I have the key to because she will gorge on them. The home she was previously in she had to fend for herself and ate a lot junk food instead of real food. It boggles me that we eat very healthy food and she still gains weight. I am fairly certain that she is just about ready to have a growth spurt and start full on puberty earlier than most girls. If I can, I am going to see if her doctor will give us a referral to a nutritionist for her. She is active and I'm teaching her how to run because she wants to run a 5k with me (the Color Run she specifically requested!). She actually has VERY skinny legs and arms, it's just her belly in which she looks rather bloated.

Perhaps she is bloated, rather than fat. It could be from a food intollerance. You might try limting dairy for a while and see if it gets better. But it could be anything, dairy is just a common intollerance. A nutritionist would be able to help with this as well.

It sounds like the doctor might be concerned solely because of the extra weight gain from a new med since she's already a little chubby.

Or limiting wheat - it bloats a lot of people.