Marginally concerned about DD's weight - I need sports people to reassure me

[KatyMac]

She is 16, does about 14-16 hours of exercise (dance - Ballet et al) a week

She is 5ft 2/3 (I haven't measured but I'm 5ft 5) & weighs 7stone 7lbs; she eats loads (mainly carbs - I think she needs more fat & protein)

But she looks skinny & her muscles stand out

I worry - It's my role in life
BMI doesn't really work as it doesn't take into account muscle/fat (I understand)

[VoodooChimp]

I'm 5ft 3 and weighed 7lb 10 until I was about 25. I was v muscular too as I used to be a gymnast. It's a healthy BMI as far as I remember, no one was worried about my weight as I looked healthy just v slim.

Does she have regular periods? When I got too skinny (ie. closer to 7 stone than 8) my periods stopped and this was a sign to me that I was underweight.

[yourcruisedirector]

I'm not surprised! I'm 5'3 and was 8st 2 until I was 21 because I did so much sport. Looking back, I didn't look great as I was all muscle - but it was very much just to do with the love of sport!

[17leftfeet]

If she wasn't a healthy weight for her then she wouldn't be able to do the amount of dancing she does at the standard she is doing it

[Fanjango]

I'm 5'3" and was a dancer at that age. Didn't hit 8 stone till I was 20. Hth

[KatyMac]

Good point about the periods they are fine(I think) & you are right she wouldn't be able to keep it up if she was that underweight

I just worry a little a lot

[GraduallyGoingInsane]

KatyMac, my DDs are dancers, I think I've said to you before. DD1 is 17 and 6 stone 11 lb, 4ft 11. So probably the same build as your DD but shorter! All my DDs are a similar build. I think dance (and mine do gymnastics too) keeps them little and lithe, so as long as she's eating well she will be fine.

FWIW, I watched your DDs audition video and she looked perfectly proportioned to me!

[KatyMac]

Thanks - that's kind of you

[ThoughtsPlease]

I was a ballet dancer, I weigh around 7stone 7lbs and I am 5ft 5.

I will be 40 this year, I have had 3 children the youngest is only 1, but I have never really deviated from this weight for 20 years since I stopped dancing, aside from obviously when pregnant.

This is how I am meant to be, I am very rarely ill and eat whatever I feel like.

[KatyMac]

We have been chatting and she agrees she lost a lot of weight before Christmas - a combination of audition, mocks, end-of-termitis & Christmas

She thinks she is 'too' thin - which I agree with & is planning on 'eating properly and looking after herself carefully as she doesn't want to get ill'

& this was relatively unprompted and her own idea.....I think she is growing up

[yegodsandlittlefishes]

Actually those with eating disorders often drive themselves to keep exercising dispite not having the energy for it. Your DD is in the healthy range for her age/height, and eating lots of carbs is a good sign too.

Certain sports (dance, running, cycling) do tend to turn out leaner figures (or perhaps are easier if so, or the sports draws those body shapes).

Things to watch for (kust a few examples) are:

She knows the calorie content of everything you buy.
She wants to cook for the family to the point of taking over, wants to control what you buy, cook, how things are stored, what is thrown away or the choices you make (e.g. basic or generic foods over 'extra special/big/rich/finest').
She starts to wear clothes she grew out of last year.
She layers clothing up to change her body shape.
She self harms (and covers it up and won't admit it or let anyone see).
She eats in secret, or hoards food in bags or her room.
She stops eating lunches at school.
She won't eat any deserts/puddings.

[KatyMac]

Hmm- let me think

She knows the calorie content of everything you buy.not a clue what a calorie is
She wants to cook for the family to the point of taking over, wants to control what you buy, cook, how things are stored, what is thrown away or the choices you make (e.g. basic or generic foods over 'extra special/big/rich/finest'). wants extra special/big/rich/finest
She starts to wear clothes she grew out of last year. not a hope in hell (although until recently was in a size 3-4 skirt)
She layers clothing up to change her body shape.spends her life in a leotard & tights
She self harms (and covers it up and won't admit it or let anyone see).see above - she is practically naked!
She eats in secret, or hoards food in bags or her room. well she hoards food but mainly so she has spare when she is out & hungry
She stops eating lunches at school.she often has 2 plus a wrap at break
She won't eat any deserts/puddings. never gonna happen, custard, jelly, cake, anything

I think she is a piglet!! But seriously without me nagging she realised she had got a bit thin for her own comfort and she is being a bit more careful about remembering to eat and balancing exercise & intake.

[KatyMac]

Well that didn't work - sorry

[weaselwomble]

I don't know if this is any use at all but this is an old school friends blog.

sinkorswimnina.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/making-most-of-moment-in-timemy-eating.html

Sorry if it's completely useless, I know nothing of sports or nutrition etc but this was the first thing that sprang to mind when I read your title so thought I might as well post as not IYSWIM.

[yegodsandlittlefishes]

Katy, she sounds fine then as she is eating - could she be having a growth spurt?

[KatyMac]

I think she was over training a bit at the end of the year with too many auditions & too much rushing around

She recognises that and will try to prevent it happening again & she is taking responsibility for thinking of things to help. She has come up with 2 so far:

She will try not to take on too much at once (she is thinking about emotional stuff as well as physical)
She will be careful to remember to eat regularly

I'm sure there will be more

[weaselwomble]

Meant to say, good luck to her in all she does, from what I have heard on here she is a talented young woman.

[KatyMac]

Thanks weaselwomble - I've read that blog now, it's fascinating & hopefully avoidable!

It's tricky, isn't it - preventing the 'elephant' without talking about it....