teenage girls and wieght loss

[hotgurl]

Do any have any experience with this. My daughter has always been thin but recently she lost 13lbs.

 

Which given her weight is not good. She did join the tennis team and had lifeguard training so that could have contributed. But I am worried.

 

She eats esp sweets but has never been a big eater. And if you offer her something she doesn't like she rather go hungry than eat it.

 

I don't know what to do we have to go back for a weigh in in two weeks.

[norajane]

Feed her protein, so at least she has the fuel she needs to build up her muscles while she's doing all that tennis and lifeguarding.

 

And you really shouldn't let her skip meals. That's a very bad habit that leads to all kinds of weight issues later in life. If she doesn't like what she's offered, then she should at least eat something else she can make quickly, like a sandwich or bowl of cereal.

[hotgurl]

Feed her protein, so at least she has the fuel she needs to build up her muscles while she's doing all that tennis and lifeguarding.

 

And you really shouldn't let her skip meals. That's a very bad habit that leads to all kinds of weight issues later in life. If she doesn't like what she's offered, then she should at least eat something else she can make quickly, like a sandwich or bowl of cereal.

 

well we always keep something in the house she likes. Bagels, mac & cheese, american cheese & crackers, noodles, ramen.

 

But sometimes she can be lazy. Latley I haven't been feelng well migraines and we have been doing pick up meals. I think if we ate together again it would help.

 

She went from 101 in Jan to 88 now.

[norajane]

She went from 101 in Jan to 88 now.

 

That's a huge weight loss.

 

What is this "weigh in" you have to go in for? Is this with a doctor? I'd ask questions of the doctor at that time. And have them run some tests on her blood chemistry.

 

Is she looking bony and unhealthy? You might have some anorexia on your hands. Maybe not, but the teen years is often when it starts.

[hotgurl]

That's a huge weight loss.

 

What is this "weigh in" you have to go in for? Is this with a doctor? I'd ask questions of the doctor at that time. And have them run some tests on her blood chemistry.

 

Is she looking bony and unhealthy? You might have some anorexia on your hands. Maybe not, but the teen years is often when it starts.

 

the weigh in is for the doctor. They might do a blood panel than if her weight doesn't go up.

 

We discovered the weight loss when I took her in for a UTI.

 

SHE doesn't look unhealthy. Her skin looks fine, not ashy etc.. She looks fine.

 

She has always been thin. When she was born she wasn't even on the chart.

 

She is 5'2". She doesn't have any of the classic hallmakrs or anorexia but it is troublesome

[fiatflux]

I would recommend that you get her into counseling if you have any inkling that the origin of her weight loss could be psychological rather than purely a physical ailment.

 

Is she showing any signs of withdrawing from friends and not taking part in social activities that she used to enjoy? Also, have you seen any obvious limiting of her food intake compared to what she used to eat?

[hotgurl]

I would recommend that you get her into counseling if you have any inkling that the origin of her weight loss could be psychological rather than purely a physical ailment.

 

Is she showing any signs of withdrawing from friends and not taking part in social activities that she used to enjoy? Also, have you seen any obvious limiting of her food intake compared to what she used to eat?

 

no nope withdrawing. She has been eating her same amount of food.

 

This semester she did joing hte tennis team. 2 hours practice everyday and is doing lifegaurd training on the weekend 8 to 8 in the pool for 1 month.

 

The only thing that has changed is in 8th grade the teacher let her eat whenever she was hungry. She eats little meals several time throughout the day but in H.S. you can't eat in class. So that could have had an effect/

[laRubiaBonita]

is she still getting her periods- or have they stopped?

 

do you think she could try ensure or boost drinks? even those carnation instant breakfast shakes will help.

 

be careful with overly protien things though, that could too much stress on her kidneys.

 

it could be she maybe about to grow some, but this could also be a dangerous flirt with eating disorders. Very picker eaters especially because they almost have this understood out for eating. for example i was vegetarian and then i became anorexic- but initially it was sooo super easy because i already didn't eat a lot of the foods my family and friends ate, so it wasn't really a big change of behaviour.

 

try your hardest to make family meal times and then do something together right afterwards, something that lasts a good 1-2 hours, be very conscious of bathroom trips, etc... this will help rule out bulimia. PLus family dinners are great for everyone! y'all can alternate who does the cooking and what gets made.

 

and you can also bluntly tell her that you are VERY concerned, and if her weight gets much lower it will affect her ability to do physical activities..... who wants a lifeguard that may not be able to react and/ or pull a victim to safety? her doctor maynot think it is safe for her health to play tennis.

you can also tell her she may HAVE to drink ensure- my doctor prescribed it for me in HS.

 

i was hospitalized and placed on strict bed rest for a month at 88 lbs, i was also taller than she is. i never had to have a feeding tube, but it was threatened- they even left the equipment in my hospital room- i was not the easiest or cheerfulest patient

 

good luck!

[hotgurl]

is she still getting her periods- or have they stopped?

 

do you think she could try ensure or boost drinks? even those carnation instant breakfast shakes will help.

 

be careful with overly protien things though, that could too much stress on her kidneys.

 

it could be she maybe about to grow some, but this could also be a dangerous flirt with eating disorders. Very picker eaters especially because they almost have this understood out for eating. for example i was vegetarian and then i became anorexic- but initially it was sooo super easy because i already didn't eat a lot of the foods my family and friends ate, so it wasn't really a big change of behaviour.

 

try your hardest to make family meal times and then do something together right afterwards, something that lasts a good 1-2 hours, be very conscious of bathroom trips, etc... this will help rule out bulimia. PLus family dinners are great for everyone! y'all can alternate who does the cooking and what gets made.

 

and you can also bluntly tell her that you are VERY concerned, and if her weight gets much lower it will affect her ability to do physical activities..... who wants a lifeguard that may not be able to react and/ or pull a victim to safety? her doctor maynot think it is safe for her health to play tennis.

you can also tell her she may HAVE to drink ensure- my doctor prescribed it for me in HS.

 

i was hospitalized and placed on strict bed rest for a month at 88 lbs, i was also taller than she is. i never had to have a feeding tube, but it was threatened- they even left the equipment in my hospital room- i was not the easiest or cheerfulest patient

 

good luck!

 

She still gets her period. every month. I have tired carnation instant breakfast but it is gross she hates and and so do I. I was thinking ovalten since she likes chocolate milk.

 

The thing is with her she love loves loves junk food and sweets. One day I caught her eating a jar of frosting. This is partially my mom's fault. She did the whole milkshakes breakfast thing.

 

So my husband and I limit the junk and sweets in the house or else that is all she eats. We both are dieting so we stopped buying nay of it and now I am thinking she might need some higher card/calorie food.

 

LAtely we have stopped family dinners due to hectic schedules. So I am starting this again. Plus at school I don't know what she eats. I put $20 a week into her lunch account and she spends it but on what?

 

We are going back in 2 weeks to check her weight and possibly do blood work.

[turnera]

no nope withdrawing. She has been eating her same amount of food.

 

This semester she did joing hte tennis team. 2 hours practice everyday and is doing lifegaurd training on the weekend 8 to 8 in the pool for 1 month.

 

The only thing that has changed is in 8th grade the teacher let her eat whenever she was hungry. She eats little meals several time throughout the day but in H.S. you can't eat in class. So that could have had an effect/

My 5'1" daughter went from 96 to 88, and I took her to a nutritionist. She had half a dozen people ask her about anerexia etc. because they automatically assume that. Turns out she went to a new school and got up at 6, ate something small, went to school at 6:30 and had the late lunch (1:20), so she was going almost 7 hours with no food! Plus, she was in dance class at school and outside of school. She literally couldn't get enough calories in her, especially because of the lunch schedule. I had to ask her home room teacher to allow her to eat something when she was in there around 9:30, and she got the weight back.

 

I'd look into getting her into cooking herself; once a week, you two seek out a recipe and learn how to make it together. I've found that kids really just don't know what to do with a kitchen, and if you don't have them learn how to make stuff with you, they just won't do it on their own. Get a good wok, and let her pick out fresh vegetables and pastas and stuff, and she can whip up a meal any time of day.

 

And find recipes from Weight Watchers on healthy sweet snacks.

[Jilly Bean]

Is she possibly doing drugs? That really is a substantial weight loss for a young girl.

 

I ask because amphetamine addicts tend to eat a lot of sugar. Since they don't eat normally, their bodies will crave quick carbs. Her eating a tub of frosting could support this.

 

Either that, or she clearly has an eating disorder.

 

I agree with the other posters who recommend a psych eval.

[threebyfate]

The thing is with her she love loves loves junk food and sweets. One day I caught her eating a jar of frosting. This is partially my mom's fault. She did the whole milkshakes breakfast thing.

 

So my husband and I limit the junk and sweets in the house or else that is all she eats. We both are dieting so we stopped buying nay of it and now I am thinking she might need some higher card/calorie food.

 

LAtely we have stopped family dinners due to hectic schedules. So I am starting this again. Plus at school I don't know what she eats. I put $20 a week into her lunch account and she spends it but on what?

 

We are going back in 2 weeks to check her weight and possibly do blood work.

She's addicted to crappy food and isn't interested in eating good food. You're going to have to limit her diet to healthy foods since she's going through some serious exercising.

 

I would cut her $20 allowance down to $5 to limit the junk. Send pre-made lunches and at dinner, make her eat more. I noticed the foods that you listed as real foods she enjoys are basically junk food. Bagels might be good for her, reliant on what kind. If they're not multi-grain or whole wheat, she's still consuming crap.

 

Grazing is considered healthy these days. But when you're not allowed to graze in class and are involved in sports to the level that she is, she isn't consuming enough to maintain a healthy body weight. Her stomach needs to be expanded.

[hotgurl]

She's addicted to crappy food and isn't interested in eating good food. You're going to have to limit her diet to healthy foods since she's going through some serious exercising.

 

I would cut her $20 allowance down to $5 to limit the junk. Send pre-made lunches and at dinner, make her eat more. I noticed the foods that you listed as real foods she enjoys are basically junk food. Bagels might be good for her, reliant on what kind. If they're not multi-grain or whole wheat, she's still consuming crap.

 

Grazing is considered healthy these days. But when you're not allowed to graze in class and are involved in sports to the level that she is, she isn't consuming enough to maintain a healthy body weight. Her stomach needs to be expanded.

 

Well I don't give her an allowance to $20 goes to the school directly for lunch. Since it is summer it is a non- issue right now.

 

But I will probably start making her lunch again next year. She is a weird kid in that she doesn't eat processed foods. I don't either (what I mean is no fast food, no lunch meat, no luncahable, chief boradee etc...) She doesn't eat artifical sweetners neither do I as they give us headaches.

 

She likes sweets and junk so I try hard to limit them. No soda or pre-baked baked goods in the house.(if she wants cookies house makes them herself) My mom is the one who brings them over, The frosting was left over form a B-day cake we make.

 

But it is hard. I try to have available easy things to eat in the house for her. Things she can just grab, apples, 100% fruits juice, 1% milk, cheese, yogurt, She does needs carbs hence the bagels. All our grains are whole grains.

 

And right now the only junkie things we have in the house are: Fritos & Ice cream. So it is pretty clean. Due to us dieting and her being a junk food a-holic.

 

No drugs I am pretty sure. She is very anit-drugs and her shcedule is controlled to a degree while in school. I drop her off at 7:20 and pick her up at 4:30 after sports. The weekends usually the kids come to our house or we do something as a family.

 

I don't know. Part of it is laziness in the kitchen. She won't really cook but will just grab stuff. So how do I up the calories without adding junk. Or do teenagers eat a lot of junk.

 

I ate tons of it when I was younger. I was 104lbs when I got pregnant with her. I just don't know.

[turnera]

Spend more time with her in the kitchen so she can learn to like cooking. Make a big batch of something she likes, and break it down into single servings, and freeze them. She can just microwave it.

[hotgurl]

Spend more time with her in the kitchen so she can learn to like cooking. Make a big batch of something she likes, and break it down into single servings, and freeze them. She can just microwave it.

 

that is a good idea. To bad I can cook lobster every day. She loves that, shrimp, salmon, clam chowder.

[hotgurl]

Also I think I will make her school lunch next year. Now only do I know she is getting good food. I can also monitor what is coming back.

 

This year is the 1st year she did school lunch.

[SarahRose]

well we always keep something in the house she likes. Bagels, mac & cheese, american cheese & crackers, noodles, ramen.

 

But sometimes she can be lazy. Latley I haven't been feelng well migraines and we have been doing pick up meals. I think if we ate together again it would help.

 

She went from 101 in Jan to 88 now.

 

All of these things are rubbish loaded with sodium and fat and have no nutritional value.

 

What about a regular normal breakfast of bacon and eggs or oatmeal?

[quankanne]

HG, it sounds like the weight loss is from the change in her exercise regime, coupled with the fact that she's the right age for a growth spurt – most kids start chubbing out, but because of her athletic involvement, she's slimming down!

 

as for the meals ... ah, that's a bit more worrisome to hear about: I"m a diabetic, with a horrible, horrible sweet tooth. And I can guarantee, sugar cravings are pretty much what a coke addiction or alcohol addiction is to someone who is hooked on that stuff. But the good news is, if she disciplines herself to "clean" her palate of sugary stuff, it'll taste really yucky when she tries to eat it again. Ask her to give up the stuff for 10 days, and switch over to fruits or things made with sugar substitutes (I understand Splenda is pretty good) ... her body will grow accustomed to the natural sugars and will reject the other stuff.

 

grazing is a good idea, because it keeps the stomach constantly filled and her body regulated. Incorporate those "natural" sweets to assuage her sweet-tooth, and she should be good. I realize it's easier because it's summer time, but if she finds stuff she enjoys now, it becomes foods she can keep inside her locker at school to eat between classes.

 

best of luck, I know there's a solution everyone will be happy with, it's just a matter of her "training" herself to eat better.

[hotgurl]

HG, it sounds like the weight loss is from the change in her exercise regime, coupled with the fact that she's the right age for a growth spurt – most kids start chubbing out, but because of her athletic involvement, she's slimming down!

 

as for the meals ... ah, that's a bit more worrisome to hear about: I"m a diabetic, with a horrible, horrible sweet tooth. And I can guarantee, sugar cravings are pretty much what a coke addiction or alcohol addiction is to someone who is hooked on that stuff. But the good news is, if she disciplines herself to "clean" her palate of sugary stuff, it'll taste really yucky when she tries to eat it again. Ask her to give up the stuff for 10 days, and switch over to fruits or things made with sugar substitutes (I understand Splenda is pretty good) ... her body will grow accustomed to the natural sugars and will reject the other stuff.

 

grazing is a good idea, because it keeps the stomach constantly filled and her body regulated. Incorporate those "natural" sweets to assuage her sweet-tooth, and she should be good. I realize it's easier because it's summer time, but if she finds stuff she enjoys now, it becomes foods she can keep inside her locker at school to eat between classes.

 

best of luck, I know there's a solution everyone will be happy with, it's just a matter of her "training" herself to eat better.

 

I guess that is also what the doctors are concerend about. A sudden weight drop in Children can indicate diabetes. She is such a sugar person. My dad is too.

 

Getting her hooked on fruit is a good. idea. she likes most fruits. but no artifical sweetners it causes both of use to get migraines.

[turnera]

Teach her how to make smoothies with the fruit. It's a great meal replacement, sweet, and super easy to make. (as long as you have a blender)

[threebyfate]

Well I don't give her an allowance to $20 goes to the school directly for lunch. Since it is summer it is a non- issue right now.

 

But I will probably start making her lunch again next year. She is a weird kid in that she doesn't eat processed foods. I don't either (what I mean is no fast food, no lunch meat, no luncahable, chief boradee etc...) She doesn't eat artifical sweetners neither do I as they give us headaches.

 

She likes sweets and junk so I try hard to limit them. No soda or pre-baked baked goods in the house.(if she wants cookies house makes them herself) My mom is the one who brings them over, The frosting was left over form a B-day cake we make.

 

But it is hard. I try to have available easy things to eat in the house for her. Things she can just grab, apples, 100% fruits juice, 1% milk, cheese, yogurt, She does needs carbs hence the bagels. All our grains are whole grains.

 

And right now the only junkie things we have in the house are: Fritos & Ice cream. So it is pretty clean. Due to us dieting and her being a junk food a-holic.

 

No drugs I am pretty sure. She is very anit-drugs and her shcedule is controlled to a degree while in school. I drop her off at 7:20 and pick her up at 4:30 after sports. The weekends usually the kids come to our house or we do something as a family.

 

I don't know. Part of it is laziness in the kitchen. She won't really cook but will just grab stuff. So how do I up the calories without adding junk. Or do teenagers eat a lot of junk.

 

I ate tons of it when I was younger. I was 104lbs when I got pregnant with her. I just don't know.

I second what the other member mentions about single servings. For dinners that she likes, make a double batch and freeze in single servings.

 

Also, keep pre-cut veggies like carrots and celery in the fridge and all kinds of fruit, so she can grab and go.

 

Now that it's summer and she has more time, find a way to create discipline in her lifestyle. As the other member also mentions, I would take it one step further and slowly make dinner her responsibility. She will then cook things she likes with the understanding that the rest of the family's likes need to be taken into consideration.

[hotgurl]

I second what the other member mentions about single servings. For dinners that she likes, make a double batch and freeze in single servings.

 

Also, keep pre-cut veggies like carrots and celery in the fridge and all kinds of fruit, so she can grab and go.

 

Now that it's summer and she has more time, find a way to create discipline in her lifestyle. As the other member also mentions, I would take it one step further and slowly make dinner her responsibility. She will then cook things she likes with the understanding that the rest of the family's likes need to be taken into consideration.

 

I like those ideas esp the single servings and freezing since during the school year it can be hectic.

 

This summer she is busy. Last year she just hung out and got bored. So this year she is an assistant lifegaurd at a camp where she sleeps over for 4 weeks. She comes home Fri evening thur Sunday evening.

 

Than we are going on vacation (finally! it has been a year) and my relatives are up for two weeks in August. She has cousin her age who are coming. Than the third week in August my Friend who is like an aunt to my Daughter is coming to visit and take her for a couple days.

 

Than school. So teh eating thing just got a little bit more complicated. But I will use your suggestions while she is at home.

 

thank you everyone for the sugesstions.

[sb129]

Hey HG- the grazing thing is bad for her teeth too esp if its sugary stuff.

 

Does she like smoothies?

 

You can make delicious smoothies with fruit, yoghurt, vege juice etc that can be nutritious and calorific.

A favourite of mine when I was pregnant was vanilla extract, greek yoghurt, a banana and honey. I think there are a few calories in that!

 

She likes chocolate milk- you can also make healthy smoothies that have a little choc milk powder in them, the above one with chocolate milk powder instead of honey is yummy, or you can make a choc-berry one.

 

Nuts are high in calories and fat, but its good fat, and they are quick and easy to eat on the go and have lots of protein in them for sustained energy release.

Hummus and rice crackers are also good sources of energy, as is avocado on toast.

 

You could also make healthy muffins that taste yummy and are not too high in saturated fat. Here is my fave recipe for healthy-ish muffins, and they are yummy.

They have a little sugar in them, but you could probably cut that down. They are also packed with other goodies and have no butter in them .

 

2 eggs

1/2 c rice bran oil

1 t vanilla extract

2T orange juice

1/4c white sugar

1/4c brown sugar

1 1/2 grated carrots

1/4c raisins

1/2c walnuts

1/4c dessicated coconut

1 1/2c wholewheat flour

1/4t baking powder

1t cinnamon

1/4 t nutmeg

1/4c sunflower seeds

 

Preheat oven to 200degC

Mix eggs, oil, vanilla, orange juice and sugars in a bowl. Add carrot, raisins, walnuts & coconut and mix well.

Sift over flour, spices and baking powder. Fold in till well combined. Spoon mixture into muffin tins and sprinkle with sunflower seeds. Bake for 15mins.

[hotgurl]

SB thanks for the recipe I will try it.

 

WE try to limit the sugary stuff since she has such an infinity for it.

 

I don't know about grazing being so bad. When I was at my thinest I did the same thing. I ate a little something every 3 hours or so.

 

We had our weigh in last Saturday. she is the same weight. The doctor doesn't think there is an eating disorder. But just that she needs to up her intake due to her extra exercise.

 

She has been eating more carbs and having peanut butter on apples and toast as a snack.

So well see. Her BMI right now is 15. She has always have a 17-17.5 BMI so they want toget it back there. They want her to be at least 95 lbs. So I know we'll have to keep coming back every two weeks until she makes it.

[turnera]

I have the same issue with DD19. She's around 92 right now, 5'1"; has been down to 88, never above 96. It all depends on calorie intake. I'm determined to spend more time in the kitchen this summer while she's home from college to teach her how to make more stuff. I've never spent much time in the kitchen, so I feel bad it doesn't come naturally to her.