Chubby cheeks, chubby hands, chubby belly: They make babies so huggable. But that pudgy appeal can quickly become a health concern. “It's normal for a child to slim down between ages 2 and 5,” says pediatrician Roy Kim, MD. “Your child will look their thinnest about the time they start kindergarten.”
It's considered a normal transformation for girls to gain weight, particularly in the stomach area. What is this? Don't fret too much if you notice your daughter is gaining belly fat before puberty. It's all part of the growth plan.
Body shape – Another sign of puberty in girls is changing body shape, particularly extra fat in the belly area (some call it “baby fat”). Weight gain can cause anxiety for girls. This is part of normal development, and her body will redistribute the fat from the stomach and waist to the breast and hips.
Potbellies in this age group is a common occurrence which will gradually disappear once they approach school-going age. However, there are certain instances where having a potbelly may be a sign of something sinister. ✅The 'innocent' potbelly.
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.
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.
Noticeable weight gain may occur prior to a growth spurt as excess fat helps promote growth. As a child goes through puberty, their stores of body fat may change. For example, girls tend to gain more fatty tissue in the hips, thighs and buttocks, while boys may have an increase in fat on their stomachs.
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.
Excess gas usually is not caused by a serious health problem. 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.
Overweight children fall between the 85th and 95th percentile, and obese children have a BMI equal to or greater than the 95th percentile. A healthy weight for a 12-year-old girl, therefore, can generally fall anywhere between 65 and 120 pounds.
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.
Most cases of childhood obesity are caused by eating too much and exercising too little. Children need enough food to support healthy growth and development. But when they take in more calories than they burn throughout the day, it can result in weight gain.
Severe protein deficiency can lead to fluid retention, which can make the stomach look bloated. Kwashiorkor is most common in children, especially if they do not have access to adequate nutrition soon after they stop breastfeeding. If a child experiences kwashiorkor, they need immediate medical attention.
Sometime around 12 months, baby fat begins to disappear and neck elongation begins. This usually corresponds with when babies are able to stand and walk (ie, 10 to 18 months). Growth rate usually starts to be less rapid between years 2 and 3.
When children have this type of inflated stomach it is called kwashiorkor, a form of malnutrition caused by severe protein deficiency. It is brought about by sufficient calorie intake without an adequate amount of protein in one's diet.
To understand the reasoning for this, it is important to know that in malnourishment, the rounded abdomen is not due to fat accumulation. Instead, the water retention and fluid buildup in the body cause the abdomen to expand. This results in a bloated, distended stomach or abdominal area.
Pannus stomach occurs when extra skin and fat deposits hang from the stomach or belly area on the abdomen. It sometimes occurs after pregnancy or weight changes. The excess tissue from a previous body shape can hang down, varying in length and size. The condition can cause a person to have emotional distress.
Sorry, but it's a myth that your stomach can shrink.