Dd 11 weight - should I be concerned?

[Anonymrs15]

Dd has always been a slim child but I've just become concerned that she may be or almost is overweight.
I only noticed it last weekend, when we shared a dressing room together and I saw her naked for the first time in a long time.

Obviously, I'm terrified of giving her weight issues and maybe it's just her body shape changing? She hasn't yet had a period although does have other symptoms of puberty (body hair, spots, emotions etc).

The next morning, I pretended that my weighing scales didn't work so I asked her to try. She is 7 stone. Obviously, that means nothing without her height, so I'm going to try and casually get that over the weekend. I would guess that she is 5 FT. Like I said, I'm terrified of giving her issues because I've had issues around weight, food, diets and body image my entire life, which are now under control and terrified of her developing the same.

We eat quite healthily most of the time but she does have a big appetite and although dinners are home cooked from scratch, she generally asks for seconds. I didn't have a problem with this because I thought well, she's hungry and it's healthy (ish) but should I?
Grandparents call with a chocolate bar for all the DC twice per week, that's the only chocolate she had. We have one dessert, usually ice cream or cake, every Sunday.
Breakfast and lunch are fine, small portions and snacks are usually an apple, banana or yogurt.
She gets 30-60 mins of exercise most days, although did very little over the winter. Now that the weather is warmer, we have been walking more.

Any advice? Am I worrying about nothing and it's just my little girl growing up.? If not, how do I tackle it?

Many thanks... I feel pretty clueless

[ragged]

Is she yr6, was she weighed this yr at school? What is her BMI percentile (there is a kid's BMI NHS calculator).

[lexcat]

First thing dd (nearly 14) did was fill out then the rapid growing started. I would say she's a little tubby now but falls into her ideal weigh for her height. I have to say she has a lovely curvy shape and looks at least 16.

Might be her body preparing it self for some bigger changes as my dd is now about 5.6 ft and still growing (mind she is slowing down) and was almost 5ft when she filled out.

[lexcat]

Childs nhs BMI calculator

[18yearstooold]

Both my dds in year 6 put on weight to the very top of the healthy bmi, nudging into overweight

Then they shot up and slimmed down

I'd be inclined to watch and wait at this point and review it again at the end of the summer

[TeddTess]

it sounds like she eats healthily and exercises so i would just keep an eye on it.
maybe up her protein and veg and decrease her carbs a bit... should fill her up for longer.
does she eat protein for breakfast? that makes a big difference in keeping them going i find.

[Scootergrrrl]

I'm just over 5ft tall and weigh seven and a half stone and I'm pretty skinny and definitely have a fairly low BMI. It might just be that she is starting to change shape in preparation for puberty. It certainly doesn't sound like you have anything to worry about where her diet and exercise are concerned. It must be difficult when you've had food issues in the past but please try not to worry.

[mumofthemonsters808]

My Dd filled out before her peroids started, twelve months on she is now back to her skinny frame.

[Anonymrs15]

Thanks for all replies, very helpful and reassuring. Plus, you've all been so nice

I'll use the bmi calculator when I've measured her.

[Anonymrs15]

Ps, I'm in Ireland.

I'm pretty certain that they don't weigh kids in school here.

Do they do that in the UK?

[ragged]

yeah, the weighing regime for primary school kids is a bone of contention (have you not seen the MN threads??).
5' tall & 7 stone would give her BMI around 74th percentile, not overweight at all.

[Anonymrs15]

I measured her and she is 148cm, so shorter than I thought. I calculated her bmi and she was around the 86th percentile for weight so not technically overweight but I will keep an eye on it.
I'm sure she will probably shoot up in height soon.

Thanks again for responses.

[lilli30101968]

Hello , my 11 year daughter year 6 been measure and weight at school and according to BMI she is overweight took her to doctor he said not to be concern she ll grow up . She is very active she does danse swim bike and i do watch what she eats dont know where i am going wrong but its a bit of a concern

[Heartofgold25]

Almost all of my friends have dds (and we are included) that have been through the pre puberty faze of becoming more rounded, and therefore my 'fertile' a definite slight for us mothers who hate the idea of it! But, our daughters develop hip roundness etc and it seems the body seems to 'prepare' for puberty and childbirth to come. I would continue with healthy eating, exercise and hormonal changes, and my estimation is she will simply even out, as we all did as young girls. Do not make diets or weight an issue whatever you do at this age. It is the road to severe eating disorders, check out the teen sight if you want to see the end result. Help her enjoy the changes to becoming a woman xxxx

[Heartofgold25]

Correction: sight = site / faze = phase ~ so much for technology! :0

[lilli30101968]

Is just the frustation of not finding sizes but thanks for the advice I will follow it really appreciate. Marie