Child puberty weight problem

[Shilpankolhe]

Excess weight gain during puberty: is this a sign of obesity in later life?

[Gingernut81]

No necessarily, I weighed 10.5 stone when I was 11 and am now a size 12. Having been told by a doctor & nurse that I was overweight for my age and having to go on a diet didn't do my already low confidence any good! I'm now 34 & have never managed to shake the feeling that I'm fat.

[PollyPerky]

Why do you ask?

There is now evidence that women who are overweight when pregnant produce babies who are likely to be obese as adults.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/8788593/Overweight-mothers-give-birth-to-fat-babies-study-finds.html

If a parent creates the lifestyle for their child which results in weight gain around puberty then it's quite likely that the pattern will be set for life.

Having said that, I was a chubby 11 year old (though not remotely obese) but my mum put me on a sensible 'diet' to stop me getting bigger. I am now a healthy size 8-10 and have been since I was in my mid teens.

[Simmi1]

I gained weight at age 15/16 - I was a size 16 at that age. I am now a size 12 but I've always had to struggle to keep my weight down and it goes up rapidly if I take my eye off it - e.g during pregnancy.

[sadie9]

Children of obese parents are much more likely to be overweight themselves. Good eating habits are easier to maintain if they are started young.
People do grow during puberty and add weight naturally. There may be increased appetite. There may also be emotional disturbances, highs and lows and young people may indulge in comfort eating. As kids get more independence they may be accessing fast food places and getting opportunities to make poor food choices. And more able to help themselves to food in the kitchen. They may sit around more and do less playing outside. They may change schools where less healthy food choices are available.
That's why good eating habits in the family are crucial. And limit the availability of fizzy drinks, biscuits, crisps, chocolate etc. It is up to parents to support healthy eating and show a good example by showing the kids the benefits of daily exercise.