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Original poster

12 year old DD with big tummy

45 replies

notaworrierxxx · 04/07/2018 15:22

Hello

My daughter turned 12 yesterday.
She is not overweight and normally (athletically) proportioned I would say, probably about 5ft 2 in, wears age 12-13 or 13-14 clothes as do most of her friends.

However I am becoming increasingly worried about the size of her tummy - by the end of the day it really sticks out, it can look 6 months pregnant and in certain clothes it's like a mini beer belly, she has a proper muffin top.

We eat v healthily, occasional treats thrown in, she's pretty active, though become less so as reaches teen years. I know she's self conscious about it but if I mention it at all she goes completely hysterical.

I just don't know what to do - I want to help her reduce it but I also don't want her to develop an eating disorder. My mum even commented on it last night after seeing her in a new pair of trousers and said 'Is she alright? Her tummy is a bit big'

I don't think it's bloating - it is fat.
What can I do. It's really upsetting me and I barely slept last night with worrying about it.

Thanks

OP posts:
Rebecca36 · 04/07/2018 15:26

Aw bless, I had a 'pot belly' at her age. Then I grew taller and it vanished. It's not unusual at all, don't worry about it.

Phosphorus · 04/07/2018 15:31

You all seem to be overreacting.

Your daughter is hysterical, and you can't sleep?

If she looks bigger at the end of the day, it's probably bloating. Is she menstruating?

Perhaps your mother is worried your daughter is pregnant?

Waitingonasmiley42 · 04/07/2018 15:32

Can you not just take her to the GP? It could be an allergy/intolerance to a certain food.

Thingsdogetbetter · 04/07/2018 15:35

Out of proportion belly, goes hysterical when it's mentioned? Has it always been like that or has it gotten worse over the last few months? Pregnant at worse, food allergies or IBS at best.

argumentativefeminist · 04/07/2018 15:44

IBS or intolerance. Or your DD has a bit of a chubby tummy. Its absolutely not the worst thing in the world. If she's not overweight all over, you really don't need to worry about "helping her reduce it".

pissedonatrain · 04/07/2018 16:13

What is her weight?

It could be a food allergy or IBS.

SpiritedLondon · 04/07/2018 19:46

Not a very pleasant thought obviously but could she be pregnant?

Hercules12 · 04/07/2018 19:52

Are you sure she's not overweight? I don't think children just turned 12 should wearing clothes for 13 to 14 year olds. If her friends are they top could be overweight. I do think we've lost sight of what is a healthy weight as so many are not.
That said only you know what she looks like and it could just as likely be something other people have suggested.

NotTheFordType · 04/07/2018 19:55

by the end of the day it really sticks out

Then why are you convinced it's not bloating? Do you think she loses 10lbs overnight in her sleep then re-gains it the following day?!

Does she eat a lot of sugar? Including fruit juices which are incredibly sugary. I'd knock sugar on the head for starters, then work through other common causes of bloating.

category12 · 04/07/2018 19:57

If it's not as noticeable in the morning, but is at the end of the day, then it is bloating.

overnightangel · 04/07/2018 19:57

GP appointmrnt necessary surely

Hercules12 · 04/07/2018 19:57

Oh sorry I missed the bit about the stomach changing over the day.

bobstersmum · 04/07/2018 19:58

I have pcos and have always suffered with bloating from an early age since starting periods. But if I were her mum I would make her poas just to rule it out before you take her the gp.

Biologifemini · 04/07/2018 20:01

She sounds constipated
Bloating is often just a massive poop
Maybe up her fibre intake?

HazelBite · 04/07/2018 20:08

Does she eat much bread?

Fightthebear · 04/07/2018 20:10

Can be a sign of coeliac disease.

PorpoisefullyObtuse · 04/07/2018 20:18

Coeliacs? DD has it and is also very short of temper.

Original poster
notaworrierxxx · 04/07/2018 20:53

No, definitely not pregnant ! Hasn’t started her periods yet though def in puberty (pubic hair, beginning of boobs)
I honestly don’t think it’s unusual for a 12 year old girl to wear 13-14 clothes, she’s nearly as tall as me and has the beginnings of a womanly shape. I do know an overweight child when I see one and don’t think she looks overweight though she is not a skinny minny, that’s just not her body shape and never will be I don’t think.
So it sticks out more by the end of the day but it is still big in the morning
I don’t know what she weighs, have never weighed her since was a baby probably
If you looked at her I think you’d see an athletic looking (but pretty solid) beautiful young girl.
It’s just when she turns sideaways wearing certain clothes that I’ve had a bit of a shock, or when she’s wearing a slightly cropped top.
I know she’d be happier with a flatter tum but all the advice I read about healthy eating is exactly how we live anyway which is why I don’t get it.

OP posts:
category12 · 04/07/2018 21:03

Unless she's in pain/having bowel trouble, I really wouldn't worry too much. Take her to the doctor if you think there's something else going on, but I wouldn't get into dieting or anything like that unless it's medically advised - last thing she needs going through puberty is to be made more self-conscious.

LEMtheoriginal · 04/07/2018 21:08

I cannot believe people are suggesting a 12yo child could be pregnant Hmm

My dd is 12 and has recsntly had her first period. I had noticed her tummy getting really big prior to this.

pointythings · 04/07/2018 21:28

If there's a change in the course of the day then it may well be some form of food intolerance causing bloating - it's worth a visit to the GP.

It really isn't abnormal for a 12 yo to be in 13-14 clothes - mine were. They needed the length of sleeve and length of leg. I did have to take in waistbands though.

ShawshanksRedemption · 04/07/2018 21:46

GP visit to check her health is first step. If it was fat it wouldn't stick out more later in the day. If she has anxiety (getting hysterical and you're not sleeping over it?!?) then that won't help either as that is also a cause of bloating.

Have you also checked her posture? Some kids I've noticed have pretty bad posture which can give them a sticky out tum.

JeanMichelBisquiat · 04/07/2018 21:50

See the GP - it could be bloated all the time, but bloating more over the day. Coeliac, non-coeliac gluten reaction, IBS all obvious possibilities.

Ohyesiam · 04/07/2018 21:51

Why would you mention it? That’s just thoughtless.
If she has narrow hips it will flatten as she gets wider, happened with my daughter.

offside · 04/07/2018 22:04

I too think it’s thoughtless and inconsiderate of you to bring it up too her, it’s difficult enough as it is being 12 years old, you need to tread carefully.

Myself and my brother were chubby in our teens but we grew taller and it all evened out, she’s 12 years old fgs give her a break.