My Little Sis on a Diet???
Hey I'm just wondering about my little sis. Last night she came home with a scale that my mom bought for her at the store. She went to the doctor about a month ago and weighed 130 lbs. but now she's up to 137. She's 11 years old, about 5'5, and definitly has never been a very small girl but she seems like she's getting kind of chubby lately. I've just been keeping my mouth shut because i never want her to go through eating issues like i've had. But my mom can be kind of pushy about fitness and health. I don't know...I'm just worried about her. Is it okay for her to try and lose weight if she wants to? How much would be a good weight? And how can i approach this whole issue without turning this into another eating disorder in the family and wrecking her self-esteem? I'd appreciate any advice! Thanks!
At this point, her BMI is around 23. A healthy range is anywhere from 19-25. I don't think encouraging dieting would be beneficial for her age, because, as you said, it could spiral into an ED. However, I feel that it might be good to talk about eating healthy in a general way (don't go into calories, etc) and maybe exercise with her or encourage her to do some more sports. I would just advise you not to treat it like a big deal, because since she's still growing, her weight will probably balance out in the end.
See that's kind of how i feel but my Mom is encouraging her to lose seven pounds and i just dont' know how to approach it. Should i try to talk to my mom? Or talk to her? And i really don't know what to say? Besides my mom is super super defensive and gets angry really easily so i'm a little scared to criticize anything you know?
At 11 she is not even done growing yet. She needs to be learning how to love and respect her body not be finding ways to change it already.
If your little sister, who is only 11, gained seven pounds in one month, I would wonder if there's something going on emotionally. When people gain weight rapidly, it could be due to depression or anger or something she's not dealing with. Is she healthy otherwise- does ok in school, no major social issues? Maybe she's going through something with her group of friends? I agree with the other posters that encouraging her to eat healthy and exercise is more important that counting calories and weighing in on a scale. An eleven year old shouldn't have to worry about this stuff!
Yeah i agree with you guys. I don't think she should worry about it. I know my mom has really been pushing the healthy eating and exercise and she just didn't seem to care. And then i guess when she gained the seven pounds my mom just decided enough was enough and bought a scale? I don't know. But maybe you're right, sew1978, i know she's been fighting with her girlfriends lately. You know i think its just that age when girls really change a lot so maybe she's sad over that. But she never really seems that sad, she's good in school and usually happy except for the typical (i think) teenage angst where she hates us all and just cries in her room. Now that i think about it, IS that typical? I remember doing that so i always thought it was but i dunno now. You've got me thinking.
I think it's right because she went back into the doctor recently and that's when we found out that she'd gained seven pounds since the last time she was there. Sorry, i should have clarified that.
But she never really seems that sad, she's good in school and usually happy except for the typical (i think) teenage angst where she hates us all and just cries in her room. Now that i think about it, IS that typical?
I'd say it is, yes. I cried all the time in 7th and 8th grade about every little fight I got into with my friends or family. Kids are figuring each other out at this age, figuring out who they are and how they're supposed to get along with other people, and it's really hard.
If it were me, I wouldn't worry about her weight unless she is already upset about it. To mention it to her would be telling her there's something wrong with her, and that's the last thing you need in middle school.
I see 5'5 and 137 is a good weight/height ratio. She could be starting puberty too. I gained all my weight before I grew an inch! 4'10 an 106lbs at 10 years old! Then I grew about four more inches and stayed around 115 through out highschool. Right now I'm 5'2 and 130, and my BMI is in the healthy range. True, I am 14 years older than your sister, but not much bigger.
What I'm trying to say is, your sister's weight is just about where it should be. If she continues to gain weight, or loose it rapidly, then I could see where your family might be concerned.
Original Post by m0m6:
I see 5'5 and 137 is a good weight/height ratio. She could be starting puberty too. I gained all my weight before I grew an inch! 4'10 an 106lbs at 10 years old! Then I grew about four more inches and stayed around 115 through out highschool. Right now I'm 5'2 and 130, and my BMI is in the healthy range. True, I am 14 years older than your sister, but not much bigger.
What I'm trying to say is, your sister's weight is just about where it should be. If she continues to gain weight, or loose it rapidly, then I could see where your family might be concerned.
I agree! Look towards puberty- I definitely gained weight from 6th to 8th grade- and then grew 9 inches in 2 years! The weight just kind of fell off as I gradually came out of puberty.
Dr. scales always say I weigh more because I'm dressed and usually it's later in the day. If she wasn't wearing the same thing, that will change her weight. A pair of jeans + lunch + water could add up quickly.
Why was she at the DR? If she has been sick, maybe the lower weight was due to not eating well for a few days, then once her appetite came back she moved closer to her normal weight.
At 11 she probably has more to grow, so skinnyogi has a good point, too.
In highschool, I had a friend whose mom was always pushy about weight loss and healthy eating while she was growing up. Instead of the constant weight loss and healthy eating talk encouraging her to be healthy it did the opposite. She told me she would be unhealthy on purpose, and eat tons of crappy foods just to spite her mom. She said that she always felt too pressured to lose weight and if they wanted to say she was the "fat" one in the family, then she would prove them right.
(I'm just putting this out there as another possibility for the 7 pound gain)
