To wonder if this is ok/normal? Putting on weight during puberty.

[UndertheCedartree]

My DD is 10. She has always been a petite slim little thing. However, I have noticed that she seems to have gained quite a bit of weight. She has obviously started puberty as she has the odd spot and her breasts have started to develop. She has some rolls of fat on her body and a rounded stomach. I also noticed today when she put on a size 9y skirt that it was a bit tight on the waist band. She couldn't pull the zip up to the top. Prior to this I have always had to adjust the waists to make them smaller and a skirt would last at least a couple of years (I bought this skirt last year.)

I remember this happening to me and my dad saying I looked like I was pregnant etc. Horrible comments about me gaining weight. Once I'd been through puberty I was a normal weight for my size, but my body shape is I have a small waist but a rounded stomach and big hips and thighs. It was a pretty toxic environment I grew up in. I think that is why it worries me now. I don't want to say/do the wrong thing but I want to make sure she is healthy.

I think this is normal, their bodies go through huge changes and then they have growth spurts and even out. Is she eating the same amount or more junk?
But an age 9 skirt probably isn’t going to fit her anyway if she’s 10?

It's not healthy to have rolls of fat. However, she is young and growing so you don't need to make this an issue, just focus on portion sizes, a bit more protein and maybe find a new exercise she might like (dance, basketball?).
I wouldn't mention anything to her.

She seems to eat about the same amount. If I'm honest she probably does eat too much junky snacks at the weekend.

I know it sounds obvious about the skirt but for example when I bought it last year when she was 9 it was very big on her and she was still wearing age 7 and 8 skirts too. But I guess this is a growth skirt and to be expected. I'll get her some age 10 skirts.

I do wonder whether this is partly caused because she has Long Covid and isn't doing as much exercise. For example we sometimes drive to school in the morning if she is very tired rather than walk, she was not doing P.E last term (but has started again this term), she slips sometimes too tired to go to gymnastics at the weekend.

Sorry slips should be is

She's been Ill, she's going through puberty. Yes it's quite normal to gain some weight

She's 10 so a age 9 skirt is logically going to be a bit tight, that sounds about right for a 10yr old even if they've been a bit slimmer in the past. I wouldn't worry about it.

This!

I also have a 10 year old DD, developing as you describe. She’s always been tall, but has put on weight/grown upwards a few times in the last 18 months, and has had periods of being a little chubby as a result. She’s smears stretchedout of it IYSWIM. Currently 5’2” and in age 13 clothes!

She does a lot of sport but has a really sweet tooth, so I try hard to make sure their sweets are very much a treat, and home meals are well balanced.

I do wonder whether this is partly caused because she has Long Covid and isn't doing as much exercise

Most likely. Poor thing, hope she feels fit and well soon

Ok, thank you

Thank you, that's reassessing.

Thank you 🙂

It sounds like puberty and it is normal to get little folds/rolls when bending or curling up as you skin/tissue folds up on itself. Rolls of fat when standing still would be one thing, rolls during movements are quite another. DD sees a consultant in relation to puberty (started it all too early) and they told me that it's normal that she'll gain weight, a body needs energy for all the restructuring going on, and it all a process so expect lots of changes to her size/shape during it.

The best thing you can do is to not mention any weight gain and defend her side against anyone who does, those comments can stay with a kid and she needs to hear you replying that it's not okay to say those things. Keep modeling appropriate eating habits and offering a good range of healthy foods, keep providing her with opportunities to exercise and to move, and make sure she gets enough sleep.

Thank you so much for the information. The rolls of fat are when she is sitting down. She has no rolls when standing. All very helpful, thank you.