10 year old weight worries

[HalfCaff]

My dd 10.5. always tall for her age and a healthy weight, just found she could not get into her jeans. She has obviously gained a little over the summer hols. She does have a tendency to skimp on meals and stuff with junk food, sometimes taking sweets secretly, for example. I am concerned that her weight could suddenly increase which would be bad for her health, self-esteem and could lead to early puberty. I want to help her take care and stay healthy without making weight/size/shape an unhealthy obsession or becoming a nag! I am a healthy weight myself btw, and have a ds 5 yrs younger who is on the skinny side! Anyone with experience?

has she gained weight or just changed shape though? 10.5 wouldnt be early puberty - I started my periods aged 11 (early puberty is under the age of 7/8)

My DD is nearly 11. She is a fabulous shape, but compared to a lot of her school friends she is huge. Not fat, just a lot of body iyswim. She hasn't been able to get into skinny jeans for years. Some of her friends have spaghetti legs and no bottom. I share your concerns about her putting on weight, but try to encourage healthy eating and limiting crap. She gets plenty of exercise, but has never been lightfooted like many of her friends. I just accept that it is her genetic make up.

At 10.5, she may well be having a bit of a growth spurt and gaining weight with it, to prepare her for that increase in height.
With her eating, remember that you're the parent and you have the say in what foods are in the house, and how much is allowed. I don't mean really restrictive, but I think there have to be a few limits laid down sometimes when kids get in the habit of snacking lots.

Perhaps get in to the routine of offering healthy snacks at set times rather than her being able to pick and choose sweets etc? Then she might regulate the appetite a bit better anyway and eat more at meals since she'll know there won't be the option of filling up on sweets later

I'm sure that now she's back at school she'll probably be in more of a normal routine with eating, exercise and sleep which helps! I always used to grow more over the summer than in term time as there was plenty of time to eat and watch telly lol x

Thanks all. Yes I know she is careering towards puberty, definitely changing shape and it wouldn't be that unusual now for a girl to start periods at ten, but a lot of the reason for girls starting earlier now is that a lot of girls are overweight!(and I was 14 although never skinny) I suppose the thing that worries me most is the secret snacking - the only solution I can see is a lock on the 'treat' cupboard. If she goes to town with her friend and big sister they make a b-line to McD's and the sweetshop and buy tons! (If I give her less money she gets her friends to buy them for her). I do try to offer healthy snacks etc, but I find there is getting to be a lot of conflict about so many things it's really teen territory now.