A weight problem at fourteen?

At 12 my DGS was a bit chubby and about my height, 5'5".
At 15 he was 6'2" and much thinner.

However, I think boys tend to carry on growing to a later age than girls.

My eldest GS is now 15. He used to be, as his mother put it, a bit of a chubber.
As he grew older he realised that buying choc chip cookies or doughnuts for lunch at school (yes they sell both and crisps etc) was not a good idea. Now he presents a slimmer profile. I think starting to be interested in girls helped.

The great thing about being a teenager is that you can usually shed weight quite quickly, unlike later in life, as I know from personal experience.

Daddima

I’m sure Patsy means well, but there are three adults involved in this situation without her feeling she has to have input.
A ‘fit and healthy’ 14 year old whose parents own gyms? So it’s daddy ( gym owner?) who is responsible for the unhealthy snacking?
I’m sure they’ll manage without her ( or our) advice!

I don't think the 14 year old is her son's daughter, either. Patsy70 says My son’s partner’s daughter.

There is nothing Patsy70 can do except perhaps just listen if needed.

I’m sure Patsy means well, but there are three adults involved in this situation without her feeling she has to have input.
A ‘fit and healthy’ 14 year old whose parents own gyms? So it’s daddy ( gym owner?) who is responsible for the unhealthy snacking?
I’m sure they’ll manage without her ( or our) advice!

Is this a bit of teenage rebellion?
Parents own a gym and all the family are sporty?

I don't think some people wait to get hungry these days. There are so many outlets for fast food, most of it not very good for you, that those inclined can eat all day long. It becomes a habit rather than hunger. Growing up in the late 40's/50's there was just a local chippy and nobody walked around eating, unlike today.

One Grandaughter was a bit waisty/tummy/bum at 14 and had the most perfect figure by 18 which has stayed with her into her twenties gorgeous figure
As your lass is into sports and gyms and has aware parents I wouldn’t worry too much

A weekend treat only perhaps.

Germanshepherdsmum

Mum needs to stop buying crisps and chocolate!

Exactly. Or at least, a lot fewer of them.

Just would like to say that I remember being very concerned about my grandson's weight when he was 14. Two years later he hasn't lost any weight but boy has he put on height! He looks positively slim now, probably for the first time since starting Senior School. His diet hasn't changed at all in that time.

Germanshepherdsmum

Mum needs to stop buying crisps and chocolate!

I think Patsy70 said she eats the unhealthy stuff away from home.

Most girls have stopped growing at 14 but not all and she may be heading for a growth spurt. Perhaps some guidance as to healthy snacks might be a good idea.

.

Perhaps five smaller, healthy meals a day might suit her better? One of my DD prefers to eat that way. Three meals with healthy snacks mid morning and mid afternoon.

The worse, not worst

Hate autocorrect

The more unnecessary attention adults put on this, the worst it may become

Let it be

Mum needs to stop buying crisps and chocolate!

Thank you for your responses. She is certainly not obese, just putting on weight, because she snacks between meals. Yes, she obviously likes crisps and chocolate, as do lots of people, but at the same time she realises that these foods are not a good idea. Taking her to the GP is not the answer. Also, she is active and chooses to play various sports and use the gym - these activities are not in any way forced upon her. It has to be handled sensitively, and I know her Mum will deal with it well. I just asked if anyone here had had a similar experience.

HousePlantQueen

vintage1950

Perhaps it's time to consult the gp and perhaps an nhs dietitian.

NHS dieticians and GPs are often woefully out of date in their knowledge. My DH is diabetic, and his diabetic nurse of morbidly obese, hard to take her seriously

My friend said the same about the Consultant she saw about her T1 diabetes. She said he seemed to have food spillages down his front too and looked generally messy.

I don't mean to sound flippant but maybe her daughter just really likes chocolate and crisps etc and hunger has nothing to do with it. This was me. Eventually the penny dropped and I realised if I wanted to look nice then it was up to me.

It's not advisable to medicalise the situation. She isn't ill nor is she abnormal. Teenagers often go off one way or the other. Thank goodness she's not anorexic. It would help to find out why she is snacking on unhealthy foods. Does she have some unsatisfied need? Her parents own gyms and the family's lifestyle is centred on fitness. Is she quietly rebelling against this prevailing attitude? What is necessary is for her parents not to see this as a problem.

Weight can fluctuate in those teen / late teen years, I got quite fat at 16-18, lost it gradually once I went to uni & have stayed at my 20 yr old weight for the last 43 years.I am all for being forthright with children & teens, but I think this is one where her mum is right to handle it in a sensitive way. Eating disorders often begin at this age, & then are learnt as an effective response to stress & cause lifelong problems. If she excercises a lot that will make her hungry, & that age-group have fast metabolisms - could she add more fibre to duaghter's meals or give her more high-fibre & protein helpings & slightly less carbohydrate? That might help her to stay fuller for longer. & be supportive by perhaps choosing clothes herself that aren't too bodycon (if she wears a lot of leggings & leotards) so her daughter can choose some lovely looser clothes & she's less likely to get comments peers? I'm not a dietician btw.

Last time I was at the hospital I couldn’t believe how many very very large nurses there are I don’t mean a little over weight I mean obese
As she seems to have a open and honest relationship with her mum and wants help it shouldn’t be too hard just about working on the snack issue can she be encouraged to have healthy snacks or fruit instead of whatever shes eating now

vintage1950

Perhaps it's time to consult the gp and perhaps an nhs dietitian.

NHS dieticians and GPs are often woefully out of date in their knowledge. My DH is diabetic, and his diabetic nurse of morbidly obese, hard to take her seriously

She is eating unhealthily between meals? How? That needs to stop. Nobody should need to eat between healthy, nutritious meals.

Perhaps it's time to consult the gp and perhaps an nhs dietitian.