DD (9), puberty, weight gain? Reassurance/advice requested!

[LandlockedLobster]

My DD is 9.5, and has until recently been slim built. The last six months or so her shape has changed - not radically, but I can see hips, waist, bum, and a curve to her chest where before she was straight up and down. The thing is, she seems to be putting on weight more rapidly than before, and it is visibly around her trunk/ribs/upper tummy area. She is now the highest bmi she has ever been, and while it is under the 75th centile, it is a very high for such a previously slim child (under 50th centile). Her height doesn't seem to have increased proportionally, although if she grew a few cm's her weight and height would be more in proportion.

It is 'normal' to grow 'out' before you grow taller - I thought it was the other way round? She has a healthy diet, and exercises frequently, but is asking for cheese as snacks, and seems more hungry than before (asking for 4 slices of toast for breakfast, not two for example - she gets two, coz that's what I have!).

DD has noticed her changing shape, and asked about whether it is a 'bad' thing, and I have told her it is because she is growing up and that she is beautiful, and it is all natural, but inside I am a little worried that she is getting fat as she has always been so slim before.

Help me stop being so paranoid! (DD is my one and only btw, so I may be more prone to obsession that I should!) Or, is this more than normal body changes?

Very normal - some children go lanky before they fill out, and others put on a bit of weight in preparation for a growth spurt. Her appetite is increased because her hormones are signalling her body to increase fat stores a bit and build bone etc.

Definately continue to reassure her that she is just growing up and that it's natural! Great way to put it.

If she is eating healthy foods and plenty, and getting fresh air and exercise, she will be absolutely fine. Children often do take a new growth curve and centile line in puberty to assume their adult shape and BMI - which is why you often see very chunky little ones grow up to be very slim, and very thin kids become somewhat larger framed as teens.

Lanlocked Lobster, this is not dissimilar to my own messgae/ thread about my overweight 9 yr old DS. The male equivalent may be happening to him too and I wonder if this is about hormones kicking in?

DS2 was always on the 50th centile and now seems to be well into the overweight zone suddenly in the last few months. His twin was on the 9th centile and continues along this and is one of those other types, I guess who is growing up before he grows outwards. He's not almost 2 ins taller than his much much heavier and shorter twin!

Maybe some children do the growing lanky and tall and others the filling out, all depending on genetics?

Hi Solo
Just read your post - we seem to be concerned about the same thing! People have always commented on DD's slim shape - saying how she lucky she is, how she will be thankful when she's an adult, etc (I know, I know), so it is a shock to me to see her changing into something different. Assuming DD is an out before up kinda gal, I wonder how long before she grows taller too? Or before 'other things' start happening (no signs of hair, BO yet). Gulp!

Smash09 - thanks for your reassurance. I am hoping DD's shape change is a phase, and she won't grow up being a chubby adult after being a slim child . I do work very rd with her talking about how people are different shapes, but also emphasizing that we need to eat well and execrise to stay healthy, so hopefully she will be able to accept these changes. I just hope other people don't start commenting on her changes

So, last question, how much should I go with the flow re increased appetite? She only drinks water, and my first offer when she wants food is fruit. However, if it is a dinner she really likes, she can easily put away the same amount as me...

sounds normal to me - try not to worry.

I posted a similar thread about my ds a few months ago and was told it was perfectly normal!

Oh don't panic - I didn't mean that she will change from being naturally slim to naturally chubby! There's really not many reasons at all for a healthy individual to be overweight, it is a lifestyle problem in most cases, afterall.

What I meant was that she may just grow up to have a larger bone structure than as a child. Children are usually slight and little, grown adults tend to have a fair bit of muscle and some fat stores, with broader shoulders and hips - it's just nature

With regards to her increased appetite, do you think she is always very hungry when she eats alot or do you think some of it is just wanting to eat lots of tasty food? Unfortunately humans in general are inclined to overeat foods that taste delicious

Maybe encourage her to have a drink of water if she asks for food in between meals, and limit snacking to fruit and veg type things so she doesn't take in too much energy.

At mealtimes, if she asks for seconds maybe get her to have a teeny bit more of the stodge element but fill up the rest of her plate with extra veg, if she is genuinely hungry she'll eat up her extra veggies! (My girls occasionally tell me they are 'REALLY HUNGRY' and want a biscuit/crisps/crackers/chocolate so I offer them some fruit or veg and miraculously they're often not that bothered - am a cruel mum, sorry kids).
I think if she's asking for 4 slices of toast, then maybe carry on with the two, but give her a yoghurt or a boiled egg too.
Does she get enough protein in her meals? Often it takes a weeny bit of extra protein or fat to fill them up, rather than extra carbs. x

Hi Smash - I think I am at one with you about being a cruel parent offering fruit first . It sounds like you are advising me to keep doing what I am doing, and just relax a bit. I shall try!

My dd also 9 is just the same has put on alot of weight in a very short time, lucky she's always been skinny and can afford the extra weight.

A few months ago went from child shape to quite a lady like shape expect only bumps for a bust. Then stopped filling out and went up slightly.

Now the appetite has increased again and dd looks like she's filling out again. Her feet seem to have growing about 1- 1 1/2 sizes in the last few months, the last time she moved a whole size it took 2 years. What I'm dreading is the sudden growth spurs I figure her body's gearing up for. The idea of a complete new wardrobe and the cost.