Child's Weight?

Question

I am getting very concerned. Over the past year my 8 year old daughter has put on a large amount of weight. By large I mean about 30 pounds. She fairly average to slightly below average in height. Right now she weighs about 80 pounds. Tonight was the final blow when she tried 3 pairs of shorts I bought her in a 10/12 and she couldnt button them. Her father and I are both average sized people. We could both probably use to lose a few pounds but nothing major. The doctor did order some tests but she doesnt seem to be concerned. I however am very concerned. I worry that this is not normal and that it is not healthy. Has anyone out there had a situation like this to point me in the right direction to getting her some help.

Please dont tell me she is going through a growth spurt....this is going on to long for that. She is a fairly healthy eater and does not seem to eat to an excess.

Answer 1

she is fine...she not fat she is just a lil girl. Sorry if this sounds mean but this is why so many kids girls and boys both have eating disorders. Let her live for god's sake. Take her to the park or to school to play on the play ground; that's what i do with my 2year old. I told my child's Doctor off when he said that there may be something wroung with my lil girl because she gained 7Lb. in 4mos. I said Hello it's winter we live in a apartment . Just take her outside and play games with her get her a bike and if you are really that worried about this then just make sure she don't eat like 1-2 hours before bed

Answer 2

as long as she is not eating in excess and has a pretty active life, I would guess it is just what her body needs to do.  I understand that there are a lot of "obese" kids right now, but you know her best.  And probably know that she is not plopped in front of the TV for hours at a time with a bag of potato chips on one side of her and a bottle of soda on the other.  People seem to forget that some body types don't fit in the long and lean.  I would wait for the test results the doc ordered, and not sweat it.  AND DON"T MAKE A BIG DEAL OF IT TO YOUR DAUGHTER, unless you want her to feel bad about her body.  Good luck!

Answer 3

it may be the size meals she is having, it may be worth doing some research on what size meals she should be having. Societies meal sizes have increased in the last 20 years and less exercise is being had. Look at searving her meals on a smaller plate as well as then the less food still looks the same but is not as the plate size is smaller too. Make sure she is getting menough exercise. Do Not diet her, she is too young. it will be about maintaining the weight as she grows

Answer 4

I think you're right to be concerned.  30 lbs seems like a lot of weight in a year.  Can you get a second opinion?  It could be nothing but you want to strategize now to see what changes in eating and exercise habits need to be made to accommodate for the gain.  How does your daughter feel about it?  Does she recognize it at all?  Get another pediatrician in the office to help you.  Sometimes they have had more experience or other ideas to share.  Hope this helps.  Keep us unpdated.

Answer 5

My daughter just turn 8, she is 95% in height and 40% in weight

She is a size ten due to lenght

Buying pants is the hardest thing

I can tell you, size 10 or 10 1/2 are the same

I found a pair of pants that fit my daughter.  They were 8's, with the lenght of 10's.  I pick another size 8, the same brand, but it was much short, and the waist was larger

You see, the same size of the same brand, are not the same

I know a lot of 8 year old, 80 pounds

My doctor told me we need to watch her weight, she is to light for her height

My daughter is a very good eater

Answer 6

The best thing you can do is cut out junk food from your house - for everyone, not just for your daughter - so that you are good role models about healthy eating.  Fill your fruit bowl and have that available for snacks - otherwise, no snacking.  

Then get your daughter moving. If she doesn't play sports already, find one she likes and sign her up.  If she can find a way to increase her activity level this will help her burn a little more even when she's resting.  

It is really common at this age.  I have a GS troop and I've seen the girls change a lot.  One girl was really chunky then suddenly shot up and is now almost as tall as me at age 8.  She weighs over 100 pounds and does look slightly overweight, but not as much as you'd think knowing her weight.  It can really vary by individual girl.

Answer 7

she needs to be on diet and exercise regularly.she is going to be overweight in few yrs if she cotinues these.so help her out?

Answer 8

As a family, keep individual journals of what you each eat, what type of exercise, what you do for fun, and how much sleep.  Often we think we eat healthy, when we do not.  You can let her pick fun journals and pens to make it even more exciting.  Pick the same time of day to do this!

If you do it for 30 days - it is a manageable amount of time, and then are not waiting too long to make changes.

Exercise is key.  My husband, older kids and me - use a treadmill.  We let our 10 yr daughter bounce on an exercise ball (she has used it for 2 years).  She bounces and bounces while watching a 30 minute program.  It was a rough winter - so the ball was a wonderful way for her to get rid of excess energy and exercise.  Fresh air and sunshine are what my mom recommends!

Answer 9

Make sure to keep the meals and snacks in the house healthy. Turn off the tv and get her outside as much as possible.  Maybe you could all start playing basketball or tennis at the park together or start riding bikes together.  Don't make it about her weight, make it fun family time.  Go for hikes in the woods and pack a healthy lunch.

As long as the doctor isn't concerned she's probably just fine. However your concern could be a great way to springboard lots of healthy, active family time in which you all can connect.

Answer 10

I think a lot of kids go through this between 8-11 years old.  I know I did and so did both of my older children.  I was about the same size she is at 8, when I hit 11 I joined basketball and lost all the extra weight and never gained it back, I am 5'3 and weigh 111 pounds without much effort, after having 4 kids!  I weighed 130 pounds when I entered the 6th grade and then lost it all and never came back.  My oldest son was about 8 or 9 and when he hit about 13 all he did was started running and lost it all, the second one was about 13 also and played basketball. They are now 19 and 20.   Their dad is not large and either am I, so I believe that does play a big part and as long as she stays active she should be fine, as you have already had testing done by her doctor and she is healthy.  If you are not happy with what the doctor said, go for a second opinion, just get referrals from friends/family, people you trust.

Answer 11

She needs to be eating properly everyday, you said she is a fairly healthy eater, make sure she is eating properly at school too. Make sure she gets exersize, and alot of it. Indoor activities such as TV and video games could be put aside. Help her out now, because if you don't now, then by time, she will be overweight.

Good luck!

Answer 12

No there is nothing wrong! Yet... I could fit into 10/12 at 12... I don't believe some of this.

80 lbs is average for an eight year old, why doesn't she fit in 10/12? Maybe it was tagged wrong, somebody switched the hangers, if you shopped at KMart for those, fyi they run in tiny sizes. Don't shop at KMart.

Keep on eating healthy, and let's now go on mile jogs three times a week with you and her and maybe the dad.

Gained around 30 lbs? And now she's 80 lbs? If she was 50 lbs I'd be worried. Thank goodness she shaped up.