Puberty – Increased hormones in a child's body during puberty (between the ages of 10 and 14 for girls and between the ages of 12 and 16 for boys) leads to growth and possible expansion of “baby fat” areas. This typically takes place in girls' belly, breast area and hips. Boys' shoulders will get broader.
The cause of this can range from chronic constipation, swollen organs like liver or spleen to the presence of growth in the abdomen. Unlike the potbelly of an adult which is primarily caused by excess fat accumulation, a potbelly in healthy young children without these warning signs is harmless.
Some common medical causes of big belly
- Abdominal bloating, abdominal distension, indigestion: Common signs: loss of appetite, irritability, vomiting, Enlarged abdomen, loose stools,... - Other causes: Food allergies products, Hirschsprung's disease, liver tumors, WILMS tumors (nephroblastoma).
As you go through puberty, you'll get taller, your hips will get wider, and your waist will get smaller. Your body also begins to build up fat in your belly, bottom, and legs. This is normal and gives your body the curvier shape of a woman.
Puberty Weight Gain and Growth
When girls get taller, they tend to lose that belly fat and may thin out over time. During this time, you will notice body weight redistribution and the addition of fat tissue–to the rear, hips, breasts, backs of arms, and thighs.
Puberty – Increased hormones in a child's body during puberty (between the ages of 10 and 14 for girls and between the ages of 12 and 16 for boys) leads to growth and possible expansion of “baby fat” areas. This typically takes place in girls' belly, breast area and hips. Boys' shoulders will get broader.
Gas and bloating usually are caused by something your child eats or drinks, including some natural health products and medicines. Gas and bloating are usually harmless and go away without treatment. But changing your child's diet can help end the problem.
Answer: It is generally normal for toddlers to have potbellies. By the time children reach school age, the potbelly will most often disappear and their bodies seem more proportionate. The belly should feel soft and NOT tender.
They're likely to stand somewhere between 4 and 5 feet tall at this age. Their weight will probably be somewhere between 70 and 100 pounds.
These may include your child's diet and eating habits, the lack of physical activity, and personal issues like stress or boredom. One of the reasons why weight-loss programs fail in kids is that parents often set unrealistic goals. Focus on incremental changes, and get the entire family involved in the effort.
Eat a healthy diet, watch portion sizes, and exercise regularly. In addition to cardio activities like running or biking, exercises like crunches and planks, which don't require a gym, can help you tone up your stomach and core muscles. *Names have been changed to protect user privacy.
More significant weight gain is normal during the preadolescent ages of roughly 9 to 12 and adolescence – as a child matures into a young adult. It's not unusual for the body to store fat during this time as it prepares for the rapid growth and changes associated with puberty.
The exact cause of abdominal distention in children can vary. It may be caused by gastrointestinal disorders, such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or food intolerance.
So, toddlers and pot bellies — completely normal, and totally adorable. They have them because of undeveloped stomach muscles, but they'll definitely get them soon enough. You should only be worried if your child's belly is hard, or if they're struggling to use the restroom and their stool looks abnormal.
Abdominal swelling, or distention, is more often caused by overeating than by a serious illness. This problem also can be caused by: Air swallowing (a nervous habit) Buildup of fluid in the abdomen (this can be a sign of a serious medical problem)
The most likely reason is that she is completely normal and healthy but like most little girls of this age has slightly more fat around the front of her tummy than elsewhere in her body.
During Puberty Girls Grow Fast and Early
Unlike boys, their fastest rate of growth occurs early in puberty. They also gain more fat than boys in preparation for their menstrual cycle. They go from gaining about 5 pounds a year before puberty, to 12-23 pounds during puberty as shown below.
In some children, weight spurts happen before height spurts. Other children just gain more weight than they need for their height. This is how children become overweight. Parents, family members, and friends can all help a child who is at risk of or has become overweight.
fruits, vegetables, and whole grains such as brown rice. lean meats, poultry, seafood, beans and peas, soy products, and eggs, instead of meat high in fat. fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products or milk substitutes, such as soy beverages with added calcium and vitamin D, instead of whole milk or cream.
After birth, you may find that your body isn't that different from your pregnant body. For some women, this remains true a year or more after giving birth. It's possible for your postpartum belly to go away, but it takes time and dedication.
Many younger children shouldn't actually shed pounds. “Since they're still growing, they may need to maintain their weight or gain at a slower rate,” Melton says. Older teenagers may be able to lose a half a pound to 2 pounds a week. Your child's doctor can let you know what you should aim for.