Confused.

[Angrymum5]

Yesterday I read an article about how body fat percentage triggers periods. The percentage is 17% I was wondering how My DD (11) who has a body fat percentage of 30.8% and 46.2kg hasn’t started her periods. I really don’t want her to start but I was just confused that this is not the same case for everyone.

Its not an exact science and just because you hit minimum weight or the right body fat percentage doesn't mean you will start them. Does she have other signs of puberty? Normally have breast development quite some time before periods start

I don’t know what my body fat was when I started but I was by far the skinniest kid in the entire school, also the tallest. No reason for it as I ate well but have always been slender. I started when I was eight. I had no idea what had happened as my mum hasn’t talked to me about it and sex ed lessons didn’t start for another couple of academic years.

I saw a programme about this years ago. Stopped believing it when I had a year 5 class and 2 of the smallest girls started their periods first. I think maybe genetics play a bigger part. You will get signs for a few months before they actually start. Strange belly aches about once a month etc

Body fat percentage can trigger the start of puberty but periods don't start until a later stage of puberty. Puberty is a slow process lasting a few years

A year ago. They ha e recently started getting sore

Mothers tends to worry & worry about everything ,
I remember when I was 13years old & did not have any breast & not even a sign of its coming soon , & no other sign of puberty, my mother was extremely worried , took me to a Dr who did test & stated that everything looked good & reassured the extremely worried mum to be patient .This continued for another year.
Infact the day I told my mum that I was having some soreness of the nipples we had a very big celebration on the day, & she kept on looking at my nipples with all excitement.
This is the mother instinct,
Pls relax, everything will be fine. Your daughter is just working with her own physiological time table. Pls just be patient.
And when it happens pls make sure you celebrate like my mum did

11 is young to start OP. Body fat is only one factor. Nothing to worry about yet.

11 is quite young to start. Most girls are 12-14. I wouldn’t worry at all.

Is she developed in other ways? Dd2 started her periods at 11, but had C cup boobs at age 10, I knew she would be early. She started at least a year before her friends, some of which would have had a higher % of body fat.