8 yr old DD worried about being "fattest girl in the class"

[Coriander73]

Have posted recently about DD undergoing some early puberty changes - she's under the paediatrician etc. I've also noticed she's breathing in sticking her ribs out now and then laughing and being silly but this evening she sat on her bed and said "Mummy, I'm the fattest girl in my class and I hate this fat" I was quite taken aback....I tried to explain as it does in the book she's reading (what's happening to me) that her growth spurt etc means she's much taller than others in her class and that all girls develop at different times and not to worry etc but she's not buying it. She's definitely not fat...tall for her age yes and big build (like me!) but not fat. She swims and cycles...enjoys a heathly diet etc....would really appreciate some advice as to how I might deal with this....thank you.

I'm not sure I'll be much help TBH, but, my 12.2 DD is under the same illusion. She is really quite slight but no amount of reassurance will convince her that the muscles on her legs are just that. They are not fat. Just because they go flat when she sits down doesn't mean they are fat.
It is so frustrating, especially since we don't have any scales at home so rely on the ones in the supermarket which are inaccurate to say the least.
I've tried showing her that 13 is not a healthy BMI, but since we live in Malaysia and most of her classmates are like dolls it's hard.
Good luck.