Is it alright for a 12-year-old girl to be 5'5 and weight 120 - 130 pounds?

Question

My 12-year-old daughter is very self-concious about her weight. The BMI says she's in a healthy range. But she still insists to lose weight.

My daughter eats healthy and goes to the gym at least 3 times a week and has gym twice a week. Truely, at her age is it OK to be 5'5 and weight 120-130?

If it is, How can I make her feel better about weighing that amount?

Answer 1

I used a BMI calculator here to answer this:
http://www.kidsnutrition.org/bodycomp/bmiz2.html

According that site the healthy range of weight for a 12 year old of that height is 95 - 130 pounds. Since your daughter is at the upper range, it is safe for her to lose a few pounds as long as she does it safely and heathly.

If she really is eating well and exercising, then she is learning good habits now - those will stay with her as she gets older.

Answer 2

I'm not sure how much 127 pounds is in kilograms because i'm from Australia. But my advice to you is.. It's not what you eat, It's how much of it you eat. If you're eating large meals then you should cut back and make them smaller. I've heard that if you have a big plate with not much on it you will psychologically feel hungry after you finish the meal. SO maybe if you put your food on a smaller plate or bowl. Also carbs are bad for someone with slow metabalism. You should probably talk to your parents, doctor or health/sports teacher at school about losing weight. Another thing, you're still young and you'll probably have a few growth spurts while growing up so then you'll stretch out. :)

Answer 3

Have you had a doctor check her out to make sure she is really healthy? She certainly sounds it from her habits, but there are things that can go wrong in our physiology that cause an excess growth hormone to over activate- causing height and weight increases in younger children.

If you have and she says she is fine, then assure her she is a healthy girl with a healthy lifestyle, luckier than some and to use her height and weight to her advantage. Tell her a neurosis about her weight is far worse disadvantage for her than merely being different.

Answer 4

Oh it's fine. Don't worry I am 15 and I am 5'8" weighing 180. But I don't look it and when I was 12 I was the same exact way. I was healthy and worked out, but I weighed 137. It scared me but that's how I was born to be. There is nothing you can do to change it just keep doing what you are doing. The thing is she will mature and her body will catch up to her. Her body is going a little bit slow like mine, so if she eats healthy and works out by the time she's a sophmore she will be a happy little camper b/c she will be one of the greatest out there. SO DO NOT WORRY! Reassure her that everything will work itself out...

Answer 5

i am 11 and a girl. i weigh 85-90 pounds and am 5'0. she should not be self-conscious about her weight. i think she is perfect in every way! =-) tell her to be happy that she isn't over weight or anorexic. that would be much worse than where she is at now. not saying she is in a bad place, she is in a good place. and this is coming from an 11 year old girl. so you might not listen to me. but i still hope i helped a little!

Answer 6

She is growing right now. She is about to reach puberty. Let her body fill out. Keep her away from high fat foods (especially fast food) Add lots of fruits and veggies to her diet. No colas, unless they are diet & caffeine free. Make sure she stays active. If there is still concern, take her to the family doc. The BMIs and weight charts are for grown adults.

Answer 7

Shes Perfect..! Not a pound too heavy nor a pound too lite...Just tell her that she looks fine and she doesnt need to change...Probly the only reason why shes tryin to lose weight is b/c of t.v adds or info mercials, b/c now days they are tryin to get girls to look like paris hilton and nikole richie, which is disgusting...I think every girl should have some meat on their bones..

Answer 8

You seriously need to get her into counseling now. This is where destructive eating disorders and self mutilation and poor self confidence set in.

This is not healthy behavior. Its obsessive and dangerous to her health.

12 year olds do not need to be at the gym. Their bodies are busy trying to grow and stay healthy, the stress of rigorous exercise misuses nutrients resulting in poor bone development and deficiencies.

Answer 9

Yeah! even though im 15 im 5'4 and 120 pounds and im pretty skinny, and i go to the gym2. As long as your daughter feels good about herself its ok. It's not like going to the gym can hurt her.
Tell her it's ok, a lot of people wish they could weigh as much as her, and she dosn't have to fit in that "perfect" mold sociaty presents, that it's ok to be you/

Answer 10

Yes its ok shes not over weight or anything but if she wants to loose a few pounds dont stop her just dont let her go insane about it my friend thought she was way over weight and i was telling her she was fine shes 14 and she ways about 115 but i said if she feels like she needs to loose a few pounds hen go for it then she started to starve herself fr about 2 weeks and she lost about 20 pounds and thats not to healthy so just make sure she doesnt starve herself and dont let her go over board with looseing weight!