Why does it seem like young teen mothers I know are chubby now?

Question

I know three teen mothers and they were all skinnny or of average weight when they got pregnant.

Now that their babies are a year old, they are not back to their pre-pregnancy weight.

In fact, all three of them are overweight by about 30 lbs.

Why would they be like this when they are so young?

I think its weird that they are gaining weight when their bodies are young enough to "snap back".


And for the record I am 23 years old, married, and have no children.

Answer 1

It is because a lot of teens just eat all they wnat when they find out they are pregnant because they are like oh I am eating for 2 I can eat whatever I wnat how much I want. this is bad because you reall should only gain tops 45 lbs during pregnancy. ALso they may not be trying to loose the wieght. Breastfeeding helps weight come off and I know a lot of teens who refuse ot do this.

Answer 2

There are many reasons. Some may have had health problems that made them gain more weight than they should have when they were pregnant. Some may just not eat right and exercise. Some may have had subsequent pregnancies. I admit I gained a LOT of weight when I was pregnant with my first child. I also had toxemia which caused severe swelling. I ended up gaining 100 pounds. It was kind of hard to exercise when I was pregnant because I was put on bedrest. 2 1/2 months after I gave birth I became pregnant again (I was on birth control). I only had 40 pounds to lose but that went out the window once I became pregnant. I was put on bedrest again with my second child because my placenta was tearing. I couldn't exercise once again. Now that my kids are 1 1/2 and 2 1/2, I only have another 30 pounds to go. I may not be as tiny as I once was but I'm getting close.

Answer 3

Losing baby weight is hard for most. You'd think it would be easier but with the stresses of a new baby all you want to do when you get a chance is rest. Considering the recoup time isn't as stress free for most. It takes work, no matter what. And for most especially first time moms it can be a little over whelming, to have to care for someone other than yourself. And if you don't have family support its hard to find time for yourself.

And you people should lay off the lazy judgments, you do not know these peoples pre disposition to fat. We are not all created the same. Some folks will never be skinny or average, so back the hell off.

By the way, I'm not fat and I am fit, but I hate peoples' assumptions that all over weight people are lazy.

Answer 4

well when i was 18 i got pregnant i was always thick but like 5 months b4 i got pregnant i started getting skinny when i got pregnant i weighed 120.when i had my daughter i weighed 162. two weeks after i weighed 140.i ended up gainging 20 more pounds from the depo shot.i got off that but i didnt start losing my baby weight until like a year and a half after i had my daughter i am 21 now.does your friends use the depo shot because if so tell them to change their method of birth control because the weight you gain on that is very hard to lose.but if they dont eat right or are lazy then they wont lose their weight.but if they work at it they will go back down to their old figure or close to it.i was happy with my weight when i got skinny before i got pregnant but i am happy the way i am now im not too skinny or too fat i weigh 140 and proud of it although that is fat to some ppl but i always say if u dont like the way i am dont look so you never know ur friends might be happy the way they are.all the skinny ppl i know want to be bigger. hope i have helped!


p.s. just for the record for those who say pregnant women eat everything in sight that is bull **** and is not true at all .some women eat alot pregnant or not.

Answer 5

It is probably stress, having a child and being a teenager would make you eat worse, have less time to take care of yourself and be way more stressed, all of those things will increase body weight. Woman you "sanp back" usually have a lot of help, getting into a routine, which is even good for a child, where you eat the right amount, exercise and spend time with the child would help but trying to make time for yourself is usually not a mother's priority. Also teenagers have a metabolism that helps them burn energy better but having a child can change that so even if the mother is eating the same their body isn't processing food the same.

Answer 6

If you don't have children, then isn't it a little stupid to make a comment like this? Age has nothing to do with it. You're 23 years old, you should be smart enough to know that baby weight is the hardest to get rid of.
When you get pregnant and have a baby, lets see how good you look afterwards. Let's see how much time you have to excersise or even do you're d@mn hair!
You don't know the first thing about parenting and like all other childless people, you shouldn't speak until you experience it!

Answer 7

Your body changes after you give birth regardless of your age...

A couple other things to consider -

Figuring out how to work out regularly is hard, especially if you are a single mom with a baby. Who is going to babysit?
(Also, if you aren't getting enough sleep, it's hard to find the time / energy...)

They might also have developed a thyroid disorder while they were pregnant. If so, they will need medication to not gain more weight (regardless of eating habits or exercising) and even have any energy.

Also, the extra weight might be caused by going through puberty.

Answer 8

Young mothers are devestated (most of them) when they learn they are pregnant. They can no longer run and play as they did before they became pregnant. The father of the baby has probably disappeared after swearing he would love her until the end of time (yeah, what a load of bull poopy). So, the girl sits around listening to "our" song, watching TV, and snacking. She doesn't get much exercise so she is out of shape when she delivers.

After the baby is born, she is so overwhelmed with it's care, that she doesn't eat right, doesn't lose the pregnancy weight, can't exercise unless she's walking the baby.

These girls need support. Be glad you aren't one of them.

And vote for stronger laws against dead beat dads.

Answer 9

After ANYONE has a child,they dont always get back to their Pre-pregnancy weight.Often times mothers of any age do not find time to eat healthy because they are constantly on the run.Although,that does give them the exercise it doesnt really take effect unless they are eating right too.Mothers,reguardless of age often just grab a bite here and there of whatever the child is eating and whatever is fast even tho it isnt as healthy as cooking a meal.Age has nothing to do with it.

Answer 10

I guess it just depends on their lifestyles. I would think you would want to lose the weight though, especially when you are that young...you have more of an advantage anyway. It should come off easier for them. And for billyandgaby, you must not have children! TO make the statement that you tend to eat more and do less when you have a baby is not accurate. Sure, some women make that choice but a good parent just doesnt do ''less''.