Fitness People - Why Can't DD Lose Weight?

[shinyhappypeople]

(PLEASE DON'T QUOTE.  I MAY EDIT/DELETE DETAILS LATER)

 

OK, deleted it ;-)

 

Edited June 4, 2016 by shinyhappypeople

[Slache]

I'm sorry. Has she tried gluten free? It's worked for many including myself. If her cycles are wonky I would consider BC.

[Tsuga]

I would stop making weight loss a goal for now. As a mom I would be super concerned about the health implications but diets aren't working so ditch the weight loss goal and go for a reasonable calorie count overall.

 

I know she wants to lose weight but what you are describing sounds like she either has a medical condition that is affecting her processing of calories... Or she is sneaking food in binges. Hopefully not the latter though sleep eating is possible.

 

I'd see an endocrinologist and demand follow up.

[Slache]

I didn't consider sleep eating. I'm a big sleep walker but I don't eat. Can you put a bell on her door to find out if she's eating at night?

[Jean in Newcastle]

I would have a naturopathic doctor look at her thyroid numbers.  http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

[hornblower]

I would ditto the endocrinology workup. PCOS and thyroid especially would really mess this up for her. 

And I'd start weighing food. I know it's a pita but honestly, I can't be the only person who can't eyeball stuff.  Btw, I think I can. But I know I can't because when I start actually using a kitchen scale and weighing down to a gram, I realize I can easily be off by 15-20%. And that 15-20% error will cause my weight to plateau or actually go up. 

[EndOfOrdinary]

Some people do not process specific foods well - lactose, gluten, and meat come to mind.

 

I have a friend who could have written this about herself. As a last ditch effort, she finally tried being vegan. Boom! Shed over 40 lbs. quite rapidly. Her body does not process meat well. She found she over ate fats when vegetarian. Vegan works for her. Previously her choices were not un-healthy by traditional standards, but they did not work for her.

 

I went to school with a guy who continually could not shed about twenty pounds, until he dated a girl who was gluten free. Once he had stopped eating gluten for about three months, pounds started melting away. He could not process it and it was messing with his body chemistry.

 

I do not do well with processed foods. Whatever science is put in them just makes me feel terrible. It does not matter that it is low fat yogurt. That is terribly unhealthy for me regardless of the caloric difference between low fat and full fat. I am one of those people who would thrive on a raw food diet or the seven ingredient diets. Weight Watchers would be the death of me.

 

There is WAY more too it than calories in; calories out. Nutrients absorbed, Body balanced is more like it.

 

Try having her evaluate how she feels after she eats, 45 minutes after she eats, and three hours after she eats (or basically before she eats again for maximum metabolic rate). You might be amazed.

[shinyhappypeople]

Good food for thought, thanks (pun intended)

 

(1) She tried gluten-free and it wasn't helpful. She also tried low-carb and it was unsustainable.  

 

(2)  I'm pretty sure she's not sleep eating because I'm up pretty late (it's after midnight as I type this) and DH gets up very early (like 3:30-4:00) and we've need heard a peep from her.

 

(3)  I need to find a new doctor for her.  Her current PCP is a nurse practitioner who thinks DD and I are lying when we talk about her weight loss struggles.  We're a couple of hours from Stanford.  Is anyone familiar with their childhood obesity clinic?  I think that needs to be our next step.  

 

(4) PCOS!  That's worth exploring more, especially because her weight ballooned right after she started her period.  I found this symptoms checklist from the PCOS for Dummies page.  My comments are in blue.

 

PCOS Symptoms

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is described as a syndrome rather than a disease because it shows up as a group of signs and symptoms that can occur in any combination. Here are some of the symptoms of PCOS:

• Abnormal menstrual cycle: When you have PCOS, your periods may be heavier, lighter, irregular, or absent altogether. However, you may have completely normal periods and still have PCOS.  She has normal periods.  I read elsewhere that you can have normal periods and still have PCOS, though.

• Weight gain: In women with PCOS, weight gain is mostly due to high levels of insulin circulating in the blood. Cells normally absorb glucose with the help of insulin. When cells don’t respond normally to insulin, your body produces even more insulin, to “force†the cells into responding. When insulin levels rise, other hormonal changes can lead to increased appetite and decreased fat burning, which lead to weight gain.  Intriguing.  Does insulin resistance cause pre-diabetes numbers on the A1C test?

• Acne and oily skin: Women with PCOS tend to have higher levels ofandrogens (male hormones), which cause acne and increased skin oiliness.  A little bit of acne (not excessive) but very oily skin that annoys her so much!

• Excess hair growth: Your body may be hairier in certain places (such as your chest, thighs, face, and back), a side effect of androgens. Yup.

• Hair loss: The hair on your head may thin if you have PCOS, another side effect of higher androgen levels.  A month or so ago she commented that she was losing hair.  I thought it was a little odd but for some reason didn't follow up on it.  However, she doesn't have bald patches or anything.  

• Sleep problems and fatigue or exhaustion: These symptoms can be due to fluctuating hormone levels and increased anxiety.  YES!!

• Depression, anxiety, irritability, and mood swings: These symptoms are probably due to disrupted hormone levels.  Unfortunately, this is also a big YES!  for depression and anxiety. :(

• Fertility problems: The hormonal imbalances that come with PCOS can disrupt ovulation. Obviously n/a

• Metabolic syndrome: Also known as syndrome X, metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms, including insulin resistance (where insulin produced by the body doesn’t work efficiently), high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It can lead to diabetes and heart disease. ????  I don't really know anything about this.

 

 

[eternalsummer]

It is possible she does not need as many calories as she thinks she needs, or as many as you think she needs.

 

When I went through puberty (also youngish, at 9/10) I needed less calories and have been very slightly round ever since.  I just have a pretty slow metabolism.  My DD11 can eat 50% more than I ate at her age - in fact she *needs* 50% more.  She inherited her father's metabolism, I guess :)

 

I was only very slightly round (like, a size 6) in high school and I still felt like the fat kid.  The social pressure to be really skinny at that age is crazy.

[eternalsummer]

I had normal periods, some weight gain, oily skin, was hairy (am still hairy!), have thin hair on head, generalized anxiety, fatigue (but then, I didn't sleep much b/c of school work).

 

On the other hand I am quite fertile :) and once I started having kids my skin stopped being oily, I obviously have very infrequent periods (as I'm always pregnant or nursing or both), and my anxiety has decreased significantly over the years.

 

I have never had blood sugar problems (I monitor mine during pregnancy on my own) but I do feel very crash-and-burn-y after a lot of carbs.

 

eta: sorry, deleted the quote

Edited June 2, 2016 by ananemone

[shinyhappypeople]

Forgot to add one thing:  regardless of how much she eats (e.g. "on a diet" or eating whatever she wants) she told me she feels hungry all.the.time. 

[eternalsummer]

 

edit: oops, quoted again

 

 

argh, that is frustrating.  It sounds like she might not be getting accurate feedback from her body, which makes it really hard to regulate caloric intake correctly.

 

also it sucks to be hungry

Edited June 2, 2016 by ananemone

[EndOfOrdinary]

How long has she been dieting? The recent studies coming back with Biggest Loser contestents discussing their compulsive eating (even black out eating) were directly attributed to completely wacky body dynamics from losing the amount of weight they did. It is also thought that restrictive dieting or eating for long periods in time might have this effect as well.

 

They all commented on being hungry all.the.time. Wierdly hungry. Their body was just not okay with the newer wieght and had a very significant desire to go back. Many

 

You might want to look into it. I do not think it was a very hopeful outcome, but the biggest point was not to get to a place of extremely discouraged. She sounds like she might be getting there :(

[elizahelen]

Why was low carb unsustainable? Just curious. I have only found that keto dieting works for me. And I don't eat low carb all the time, but when I gain weight, carbs are the first to go, fat and veggies the last.

 

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[Prairie~Phlox]

Are you sure she's eating enough? Maybe her body thinks she's starving it & holding onto the weight. I would up her calories for a few days & then weigh.

[kroe1]

If you are sure portions are adequately sized, meaning a 1960's size slice of toast rather than today, then consider other endocrine or genetic problems. Polycystic ovarian syndrome, adrenal hyperplasia, and Turner's syndrome are just a few of the multiple possibilities.

[grantmeawish]

I definitely agree you should look at medical implications. I am a nutritionist, so I'm sorry you had bad luck with the previous ones. I hate using plate models and basic info for people. That is one reason why I don't do counseling. It really sounds like there is more going on than calories in and calories out; however, if you are curious, you can check her caloric intake using my fitnesspal app. (U have probably already done something like that)

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

I would definitely go to Stanford. I would want her tested for insulin insensitivity and glucose problems. With the glucose challenge test from what I recall they can also test insulin levels along with glucose during the 3 hour test which may have more useful info. Also, have her tested for PCOS. I would inquire about Metformin which is safe and helps those conditions and happens to cut down on hunger as well.

 

As for low carb, what about moderate carb and low glycemic index carbs and no sugar or artificial sweeteners. For example, I don't do well with too much bread so I eat very little and stick to sprouted bread like Ezekial bread. In terms of fruit I try to stick to apples and berries without sugar. I rarely eat pasta but when we do, we use the barilla plus with higher protein. Try 15 grams of protein at every meal. Hard boiled eggs are good for quick snacks. Use full fat plain greek yogurt plain or add berries as meal or snack. Try half the plate full of green veggies (or low glycemic index veggies). Try to limit four, rice, potatoes, and sugar. Use sweet potato instead of white potato.

 

:grouphug:

[SparklyUnicorn]

I have no advice.  That sounds very challenging.  Many 12 year olds barely have to think about this stuff so to me if she is trying that hard something else is going on. 

[sarasue7272]

40 lbs in a year is a lot, I would try to find a new endocrinologist. Type 2 diabetes IS insulin resistance, until the pancreas is so damaged it stops producing insulin at all. You could check blood sugar at home.

[Katy]

Sounds like PCOS & insulin resistance.  It's going to be difficult to change unless she can lower her insulin levels, which requires things like skipping meals, lowering carb ratios, and possibly eating low fat too, depending on her genetics. 

 

I would tell her to avoid snacking, and if possible I'd have her try a week of eating one meal per day.  A huge meal - 1200-1800 calories, making sure there's plenty of protein and vegetables, plus anything else she wants (including dessert), but no calories at all at any other time of day.  Have her eat the protein and veggies first so that she gets those in.

 

If that sounds not-doable, David Kirsh has some diet books that might be helpful for her.  They're low fat and low carb (no fruit) while you're in weight loss mode.

 

[Callie]

 feels hungry all.the.time. 

I tried Weight Watchers about 5 years ago and I was hungry all the time and my blood sugar would crash within 2 hours of eating a super healthy meal.  Come to find out I was pre diabetic and WW was killing me.  I was so sick, shaky and starving all the time.

 

I was not eating processed junk, but real food within my points.  I was on the lowest point rung because I didn't have much to lose.

 

I have to eat low carb to keep my blood sugar under control, stay off meds and maintain a healthy weight.  I can now after many years add in a healthy carb occasionally (Trim Healthy Mama style) but I will never be able to eat carbs combined with low calories like WW promotes.

 

Honestly she has probably reached her full height and already struggles with weight issues and pre diabetes.  She is never going to be able to eat what she wants and be healthy.  I know you said low carb was unsustainable but it may be her only option unless she wants to be on meds.

 

I was in my early 40's when I had to completely change the way I ate and it was hard.  I had never been over weight or sick and now I was.  I struggled with anger over the situation.  I know it is hard but I didn't even realize how sick I had become until after I changed my eating and my blood sugar was under control.  The constant highs and lows will keep you hungry all the time.

 

www.lowcarbfriends.com probably has a lot of info that could help.

[ktgrok]

I would ditto the endocrinology workup. PCOS and thyroid especially would really mess this up for her. 

 

 

 

she needs an endocrinologist, one that deals with obesity in young people. Assuming she is, in fact, obese? She may have improper metabolic things going on, and need something like metformin or another medication. She may need tighter control of her thyroid. She may have something like Cushings. She really needs to see a specialist. NOT a nutritionist. 

 

And in the meantime, get her on a good probiotic. They help with metabolism. 

 

Hugs to her, from me. My heart BREAKS for heavy young people. There are several at my daughter's dance studio and it breaks my heart. I've so been there. 

 

But please, find an obesity specialist that deals in pediatric obesity, no one else is going to get it. And they won't, hopefully, blame your daughter as if she's just eating badly. 

[Callie]

40 lbs in a year is a lot, I would try to find a new endocrinologist. Type 2 diabetes IS insulin resistance, until the pancreas is so damaged it stops producing insulin at all. You could check blood sugar at home.

Yes.  I gained approx 40lbs in one year that is when I tried WW and found out I was pre diabetic.  Once I started eating lchf I lost the weight, stabilized my numbers and feel so much better.

 

Also with lchf  I just eat lc without measuring, weighing etc.  If I am hungry I eat.

[Callie]

 

 

I would tell her to avoid snacking, and if possible I'd have her try a week of eating one meal per day.  A huge meal - 1200-1800 calories, making sure there's plenty of protein and vegetables, plus anything else she wants (including dessert), but no calories at all at any other time of day.  Have her eat the protein and veggies first so that she gets those in.

 

I

That sounds like an eating disorder waiting to happen for a 12 year old girl.  

 

I'm 48 and that would not work for me I have to keep my blood sugar stable throughout the day and all night while I sleep.

[Laurie4b]

:grouphug:  to you and to your dd.

 

You can have low thyroid and a TSH within normal levels. BTDT. Dr. needs to test free T3, free T4, and for antibodies of Hashimoto's. Go to Stanford. She needs more expert medical care. Go to  different endo. Take a food log with you and tell them that you want medical care based on the fact that the logs are true and accurate and your dd's health demands an answer to why she is overweight and pre-diabetic with that food intake,

 

I would NOT try any diets other than the healthy diet you are doing until you have better answers about potential medical conditions.

 

I so  believe exercise is a key factor not because of calorie expenditure but because it has such a health-enhancing effect on so many of our bodies' systems.

[Katy]

That sounds like an eating disorder waiting to happen for a 12 year old girl.  

 

I'm 48 and that would not work for me I have to keep my blood sugar stable throughout the day and all night while I sleep.

 

Many religions require periods of intermittent fasting, and many studies have shown that rather than causing blood sugar issues, intermittent fasting fixes those issues. 

 

The issues are caused by eating too frequently and developing resistance to insulin (from never getting a break from high insulin).  It feels like you must eat all the time to keep your blood sugar up, but if you ignore that feeling you'll break through the hangry need to eat.  The shaky feeling will go away as insulin levels drop, your uneven blood sugar will return to normal, you'll switch from fat building mode (high insulin) to fat burning mode (low insulin), and suddenly feel much better.  It can take several days of sugar withdrawals, but it does work.

 

Eating disorders are a psychological issue of control and body dysmorphia, not a result of intermittent fasting done in a careful and intentional way with a focus on getting enough nutrients while also restoring insulin sensitivity.

[Jen in NY]

 

(4) PCOS!  That's worth exploring more, especially because her weight ballooned right after she started her period.  I found this symptoms checklist from the PCOS for Dummies page.  My comments are in blue.

 

PCOS Symptoms

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is described as a syndrome rather than a disease because it shows up as a group of signs and symptoms that can occur in any combination. Here are some of the symptoms of PCOS:

• Abnormal menstrual cycle: When you have PCOS, your periods may be heavier, lighter, irregular, or absent altogether. However, you may have completely normal periods and still have PCOS.  She has normal periods.  I read elsewhere that you can have normal periods and still have PCOS, though.

• Weight gain: In women with PCOS, weight gain is mostly due to high levels of insulin circulating in the blood. Cells normally absorb glucose with the help of insulin. When cells don’t respond normally to insulin, your body produces even more insulin, to “force†the cells into responding. When insulin levels rise, other hormonal changes can lead to increased appetite and decreased fat burning, which lead to weight gain.  Intriguing.  Does insulin resistance cause pre-diabetes numbers on the A1C test?

• Acne and oily skin: Women with PCOS tend to have higher levels ofandrogens (male hormones), which cause acne and increased skin oiliness.  A little bit of acne (not excessive) but very oily skin that annoys her so much!

• Excess hair growth: Your body may be hairier in certain places (such as your chest, thighs, face, and back), a side effect of androgens. Yup.

• Hair loss: The hair on your head may thin if you have PCOS, another side effect of higher androgen levels.  A month or so ago she commented that she was losing hair.  I thought it was a little odd but for some reason didn't follow up on it.  However, she doesn't have bald patches or anything.  

• Sleep problems and fatigue or exhaustion: These symptoms can be due to fluctuating hormone levels and increased anxiety.  YES!!

• Depression, anxiety, irritability, and mood swings: These symptoms are probably due to disrupted hormone levels.  Unfortunately, this is also a big YES!  for depression and anxiety. :(

• Fertility problems: The hormonal imbalances that come with PCOS can disrupt ovulation. Obviously n/a

• Metabolic syndrome: Also known as syndrome X, metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms, including insulin resistance (where insulin produced by the body doesn’t work efficiently), high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It can lead to diabetes and heart disease. ????  I don't really know anything about this.

 

You can definitely have PCOS with regular cycles, and PCOS and diabetes are intimately linked. There are definitely medications that can help!

If you PM me with your e-mail address, I can e-mail you some research papers I have found helpful. We are just dealing with this as well, and have an appointment with a gyn that specializes in adolescent medicine. There is a PCOS research study in our town as well.

 

Best to you both!

[RKWAcademy]

Yep, she needs to see a good endocrinologist.  I was diagnosed with my Hashimoto's (auto-immune hypothyroid) at 20 but probably had it years before.  Hair loss was one of my biggest symptoms (I have PCOS too, though I don't know which caused my infertility).  I'm sorry she's having to deal with this at such an early age.

[Bluegoat]

I agree - she needs more medical knowledge at this point.  I also would stop talking about dieting at all, and just kep up with eating in a healthy way.  And if possible, I would try and look at this hungry all the time thing, because it has to suck. 

 

I think the psychological issues around diet restriction and dieting are a serious problem in themselves that often get started in the teen years, so it is better not to go that way until you have some specific direction to move in.  I especially would not look at any elimination diets which IMO are particularly prone to causing those kinds of issues.

 

It did occur to me that maybe she really isn't getting enough calories for her activity level - I've known two people that fell into that problem, they kept weight on because they were in starvation mode, and it improved when they started eating more - particularly in the morning.

 

[Shellydon]

Sounds like she had untreated precocious puberty. I would definitely see an specialist at this point. 

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

That sounds like an eating disorder waiting to happen for a 12 year old girl.  

 

I'm 48 and that would not work for me I have to keep my blood sugar stable throughout the day and all night while I sleep.

 

 

Many religions require periods of intermittent fasting, and many studies have shown that rather than causing blood sugar issues, intermittent fasting fixes those issues. 

 

The issues are caused by eating too frequently and developing resistance to insulin (from never getting a break from high insulin).  It feels like you must eat all the time to keep your blood sugar up, but if you ignore that feeling you'll break through the hangry need to eat.  The shaky feeling will go away as insulin levels drop, your uneven blood sugar will return to normal, you'll switch from fat building mode (high insulin) to fat burning mode (low insulin), and suddenly feel much better.  It can take several days of sugar withdrawals, but it does work.

 

Eating disorders are a psychological issue of control and body dysmorphia, not a result of intermittent fasting done in a careful and intentional way with a focus on getting enough nutrients while also restoring insulin sensitivity.

 

 

 

Scientifically, fasting is absolutely beneficial, although some evidence suggests fasting is less beneficial for women than men.  However... it is one thing to understand this intellectually and another to convince a child (CHILD!!!) who already feels hungry constantly to binge and fast for a while just to see what might happen.  Note that religious fasting usually excludes children, elderly, pregnant women, the sick...  

 

I'm going to second and third everyone has said more in-depth endocrinology workup, testing for PCOS, and retrying a lfhc regime.  She might find some motivation in some of the Whole30 stuff out there, like "It Starts with Food".  I would suggest if you try LCHF that you do a Whole30ish approach, which is no snacking, but as much (balanced) food at meal times as she needs to feel full and satisfied.  I would, for a month or so (Heck, just do the w30!) tell her to put away the scale, and focus solely on her feeling of satiation from the food she is eating.  Let her live for a month without feeling constant hunger!  That poor kid!!!  She may find that being free of that feeling is worth the restrictive food choices.  

 

But what I really came in here to say is:   :grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:   What an incredibly tough, emotionally draining, frustrating situation for both of you.  I hope you figure out what is going on soon and find a way to bring her to a weight she can feel comfortable with.  

[MotherOfBoys]

Definitely find a different doctor.

 

In the mean time: When i started gaining weight i realized i was eating three meals a day and i was usually eating six smaller meals. Once i switched back the little weight i gained dropped off.

 

I would also do high intensity training. It doesnt give the body time to settle. Every few weeks it switches up the workouts. You said she loses weight at first and then maintains. This could solve that problem. My husband and i do beachbody 21 day fix extreme and p90x3. I would choose p90x3 because he talks more about healthy living and enjoying life. Not diet and punishing your body. 21 day fix extreme is extreme and not recommended. 21 day fix regular is comparable in rigour to p90x3 and both are doable for life. 21 day fix doesnt require a pull up bar and pull up assist band. Its two sets of dumb bells and lots of squats. It comes with easy color cups for portion control. I dont believe the plate model is even in the ballpark for showing portion control.

 

Beachbody also has a metabolism supplement i heard. The website is full of articles and videos on supporting your goals. I dont personally like jullian michaels. The contestants gain the weight back. I dont think its healthy or sustainable to lose that much that fast either.

 

I couldnt imagine being hungry all the time. Im so sorry she's dealing with this.

[gypsymama]

:grouphug:  to you and to your dd.

 

You can have low thyroid and a TSH within normal levels. BTDT. Dr. needs to test free T3, free T4, and for antibodies of Hashimoto's. Go to Stanford. She needs more expert medical care. Go to  different endo. Take a food log with you and tell them that you want medical care based on the fact that the logs are true and accurate and your dd's health demands an answer to why she is overweight and pre-diabetic with that food intake,

 

I would NOT try any diets other than the healthy diet you are doing until you have better answers about potential medical conditions.

 

I so  believe exercise is a key factor not because of calorie expenditure but because it has such a health-enhancing effect on so many of our bodies' systems.

 

Yes. I'd definitely get a better medical workup. There are all kinds of things that could be causing her to not lose weight.

[OH_Homeschooler]

Can't it just be the typical fat growth spurt? You may be trying to fight a losing battle for now. 

 

http://www.brightonyourhealth.com/teenage-weight-gain-why-a-jump-in-a-teens-weight-may-not-be-a-concern/

 

[Truscifi]

Many religions require periods of intermittent fasting, and many studies have shown that rather than causing blood sugar issues, intermittent fasting fixes those issues. 

 

The issues are caused by eating too frequently and developing resistance to insulin (from never getting a break from high insulin).  It feels like you must eat all the time to keep your blood sugar up, but if you ignore that feeling you'll break through the hangry need to eat.  The shaky feeling will go away as insulin levels drop, your uneven blood sugar will return to normal, you'll switch from fat building mode (high insulin) to fat burning mode (low insulin), and suddenly feel much better.  It can take several days of sugar withdrawals, but it does work.

 

Eating disorders are a psychological issue of control and body dysmorphia, not a result of intermittent fasting done in a careful and intentional way with a focus on getting enough nutrients while also restoring insulin sensitivity.

 

Intermittent fasting also allows up to 500 during the fast day and still has the same beneficial effects. It can be a shorter fast as well. I am diabetic and can't do a true fast without a crash, nor can I exercise on a fast day. But with approrpiate modifications I have been very successful with IF and it has helped my blood sugar tremendously.

 

OP - it definitely sounds like an underlying medical issue. Don't try fasting without figuring that out first. I would go to the Stanford clinic. Also if your current doctor isn't taking you seriously or believing what you and your dd are saying, ditch him. I hope you are able to find answers for your dd soon. I'm sure she is very frustrated and discouraged.  :grouphug:

[redsquirrel]

She needs to see a better or different doctor. Showing signs of puberty at age 7 is unusual and would warrant further investigation. What did her pediatrician say when that happened?  What did your pediatrician say about the pre-diabetes? That alone seems it would also need further investigation and follow up.

 

 

Is she actually overweight for her age?  A child can look "chubby' but still be of a healthy weight.  And with overweight children the usual goal is not to have them lose weight, but to simply have them stop gaining and let their body catch up to their current weight. If a child is quite obese then, of course the goal would be different, but it doesn't sound like that is the case.

 

She is still growing and it is NORMAL for 12 year olds to be hungry all the time. It is also normal for 10-14 year olds to get quite chubby and then grow a whole lot or thin right out.  Putting her on a diet without knowing that she is healthy might actually be hurting her growth. Gosh, most of my son's peers, male and female, were little tubbs at age 11, 12, 13, and now they are all skinny teenagers.  I should add that my son is a ballet dancer, so I am talking kids who exercise a crazy amount and eat very healthy. They mostly all got pudgy right around that age, but sure grew out of it...and about 4-6 inches taller. And I am talking about girls mostly.  They also all ate like horses. Well, dancers eat a lot anyway, but a bunch of early puberty dancers were like locusts.

 

 

ETA: I cannot believe people are suggesting intermittent fasting and high intensity training for a CHILD.  Her body is still growing and developing. That could do lasting damage to her growth pattern.

Edited June 2, 2016 by redsquirrel

[Jean in Newcastle]

It distresses me that people would suggest weight-loss supplements, intense exercise and more extreme diets for a 12 year old girl.  Please get better medical advice from medical professionals. 

 

(I added intense exercise because 12 year old bodies are growing and you need to be aware of not stressing joints too much etc.  I'm not talking about limiting exercise as such, which of course is very good for 12 year old bodies.)

[Paige]

I'm 5'2 and imagining what a 12yr old who is 2in shorter than me and weighs 160 may look and feel like...I think you need a new doctor. This does not sound normal. 40lbs in a year for a child of about 9-11yrs old is huge. I can't even imagine that kind of weight gain in a kid. My almost 9yr old only weighs 40lbs! I'm not sure what doctor would be best, maybe an endocrinologist, but I think if you could find one good doctor who was willing to look into it, it may not matter what type of doctor it is- he or she would find the resources for you.

 

Have you tried an elimination diet? I have one friend whose weight increased dramatically after her first kid. She even had bariatric surgery and could not lose weight! The shakes she was prescribed after surgery had dairy in them, but she didn't notice or care. Years later, for some reason- maybe skin rashes?- she decided to cut dairy and then she discovered it was a dairy allergy causing the weight gain. She started dropping 10lbs a week when she cut it out. 

 

I would tell my DD: You are doing everything right. You are exercising, eating well, and making smart choices. This isn't your fault. We are going to find someone who can figure out what is going on, but there's nothing you can do right now, so just relax and be happy.

Edited June 2, 2016 by Paige

[kiana]

+1 for complete workup, preferably by childhood obesity specialist. 40 lbs in a year is a LOT. I really wish my mother had pushed for a complete workup when I started exhibiting symptoms of PCOS rather than just letting the doctor tell me "Oh, shave your neck if it bothers you".

 

While you're waiting on this, I would also work on emphasizing healthy lifestyle over weight loss as other posters suggested. When she's down about not losing, emphasize the positive effects that you have seen from this, like the acne clearing up.

 

Edit: I also think it's worth emphasizing to her that while the doctors are looking for a reason, she has at least been able to stop *gaining*. Yeah, she's not losing much, but stopping a rapid gain in its tracks is still a very commendable victory.

Edited June 2, 2016 by kiana

[*lifeoftheparty*]

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Edited December 18, 2016 by *lifeoftheparty*

[Bluegoat]

It distresses me that people would suggest weight-loss supplements, intense exercise and more extreme diets for a 12 year old girl.  Please get better medical advice from medical professionals. 

 

(I added intense exercise because 12 year old bodies are growing and you need to be aware of not stressing joints too much etc.  I'm not talking about limiting exercise as such, which of course is very good for 12 year old bodies.)

 

Yes, this.  Someone who is 12 should not be cutting out whole food groups, much less multiple food groups, without a serious reason.  Most of those diets are basically fads anyway with very little scientific support.  If adults find them helpful, fine, but 12 is a different story.

[gardenmom5]

why is a 12yo dieting?

at this age, the focus should be on a healthy *lifetime* diet.

you can also have a thyroid panel - including free t3 & free t4.

[*lifeoftheparty*]

...

 

Edited December 18, 2016 by *lifeoftheparty*

[Noreen Claire]

I have a hundred things that I want to say/recommend but, due to the fact that I am not a medical professional, I will keep them all to myself... with one exception:

 

With the symptoms of PCOS, the mention of 'doing WW', and the comment that she is 'always hungry', please please please make sure that she is NOT eating fat-free/low-fat dairy products. Low- and no-fat dairy has been shown repeatedly to cause all sorts of hormonal issues in women and girls; it will mimic PCOS in those that don't have it and will make it much worse in those that already do. It causes fertility issues in grown women and can cause problems with the onset of puberty in young girls. Recent research has shown that those that eat full-fat diary have a much easier time losing weight and many other health benefits.

 

I have PCOS (diagnosed in my 20s). Switching over to full-fat dairy alleviated my acne, lessened the excess hair growth, calmed the mood swings, and significantly curbed my appettite (as the fat helped me to finally feel full).

 

Also, you might want to check out the Healthy At Any Size (HAES) movement for ways to encourage your daughter without focusing on her weight/looks and helping her appreciate how awesome she already is. Hugs and good luck to you both.

[Guest2]

nm posted without reading throughly. Hugs for you and your daughter.

Edited June 4, 2016 by Silver Brook

[*lifeoftheparty*]

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Edited December 18, 2016 by *lifeoftheparty*

[Slache]

Noooooo! If she has PCOS, BC will make things worse- it just puts a band-aid on the problem, and never actually addresses the root of the problem, which is insulin resistance.

I was thinking she might have a hormone imbalance which made me fat as a child. I was put on BC at 12 and lost 30 pounds in a few months. I also lost my migraines, extreme period and other things the OP's daughter doesn't seem to have. I just wanted to mention it.

[shinyhappypeople]

She needs to see a better or different doctor. Showing signs of puberty at age 7 is unusual and would warrant further investigation. What did her pediatrician say when that happened?  What did your pediatrician say about the pre-diabetes? That alone seems it would also need further investigation and follow up.

 

 

Is she actually overweight for her age?  A child can look "chubby' but still be of a healthy weight.  And with overweight children the usual goal is not to have them lose weight, but to simply have them stop gaining and let their body catch up to their current weight. If a child is quite obese then, of course the goal would be different, but it doesn't sound like that is the case.

 

She is still growing and it is NORMAL for 12 year olds to be hungry all the time. It is also normal for 10-14 year olds to get quite chubby and then grow a whole lot or thin right out.  Putting her on a diet without knowing that she is healthy might actually be hurting her growth. Gosh, most of my son's peers, male and female, were little tubbs at age 11, 12, 13, and now they are all skinny teenagers.  I should add that my son is a ballet dancer, so I am talking kids who exercise a crazy amount and eat very healthy. They mostly all got pudgy right around that age, but sure grew out of it...and about 4-6 inches taller. And I am talking about girls mostly.  They also all ate like horses. Well, dancers eat a lot anyway, but a bunch of early puberty dancers were like locusts.

 

 

ETA: I cannot believe people are suggesting intermittent fasting and high intensity training for a CHILD.  Her body is still growing and developing. That could do lasting damage to her growth pattern.

 

Please don't quote.  She's 166 lb and 5'0". This isn't puberty chub.  My younger DD had puberty chub and then sprouted 2 inches and it disappeared.  This is way, way beyond that.  

[Ellie]

 

She's had moderately elevated TSH levels in the past but her endo said she's not hypothyroid (her current un-medicated numbers are very normal).

 

 

 

You need a doctor who will do a complete thyroid panel: Free T3, Free T4, Reverse T3. And you need to revisit "normal." If your current doctor has only tested TSH, then he does NOT know how her thyroid is actually functioning.

 

It is not all that unusual for children to be hypothyroid. Inability is one symptom of low thyroid function (yes, I know there can be other reasons, but the way to rule out thyroid issues is to test more than TSH).