My 4 Year Olds Weight Gain

well, she is only 4 and probably going through a growth spurt- i know my 4 year old is. i wouldn't worry, bring it up at her next dr. checkup and if he/she thinks it is an issue then do something about it. how much does she weigh anyway?

What did the pediatrician have to say? If she was not concerned, I would try not to worry about it. Children grow and change at all different rates. If you are worried about obesity than you should talk to your doctor about it. Perhaps you are worried because you mentioned that your oldest has cholesterol issues. I think if your four year old is active and running around, not too sedentary and eating a balanced diet, then it is not "way too much".

I would be more concerned where her weight was falling on the growth chart as long as she is growing consistently and not over weight for her age I don't think that there is anything to worry about. You can download a growth chart for yourself at the CDC's website. Weight is all relative, so don't freak out until you get all the facts together.

Dear R. C:

Did the doctor figure out your daughter's BMI? I know when my daughter went to the doctor for her well baby visit at 2 1/2 yo, the doctor mentioned that 4 pounds weight gain in 6 months was too much and showed me that she was right beyond the "healthy" range on the BMI scale. Perhaps your daughter had a growth spurt. Nonetheless, BMI would help you figure out whether the 3 1/2 pound weight gain is healhty for her. It does sound like a lot in 6 weeks, but the most important aspect is whether that was a "healthy" gain. Good luck. Happy Thanksgiving.

C. P

3 1/2 isn't unrealistic weight gain in a 4 year old in 6 weeks. I would keep tabs on it to see if there was another large gain in the next six weeks. The best we can do for our children is feed them healthy and keep them active and away from allot of TV time.

She may have been caught in the middle of a growth spurt. Or just like the rest of us, our weight tends to fluctaute throughout the day depending on what we've eaten or had to drink. I wouldn't be worried unless the Dr is.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear R.,
I love the name R., by the way. I have to say, I really wouldn't worry about a 4-year old gaining that much weight, even if it is in just a few weeks. Did you know that it is possible for kids to grow up to an inch a week during a growth spurt? Now, an inch a week isn't really common growth, but it happens. The point is, kids grow really fast, and in spurts. And, I've found with my own kids, they eat less during growth spurts, oddly enough. In order to keep yourself from worrying sick, I would recommend you stop keeping track of your daughter's weight on such a day-to-day or week-to-week basis. The ups and downs can be very surprising. Try to watch it more long term. Also, you know what she's eating, how she's excersizing, how she's feeling, how she's behaving. Does she seem healthy and happy? Let that be your main criteria - not the scale. After all, couldn't your own weight change by 3 1/2 pounds on an almost daily basis? To me, it sounds normal. Unless she's complaining of other issues.
One other thought I had...if you've just changed your family's diet as you mentioned (because of your son's cholesterol) it may be that the new diet is affecting her weight. Her body may just adjusting to the new foods and balancing itself out.
Best wishes,
Katrine

Kids can definitely do that, especially when they're gearing up for a growth spurt. I wouldn't be surprised if she 'shoots up overnight' as they have a habit of doing.

Hi R.,

I'd keep an eye on it, but it might have been the doctor's scale! I took my 18 month-old in to see the doctor two weeks ago for a virus and when they weighed him at that visit they said he weighed 30 lbs. His 18-month check up was this past Friday and at that visit he weighed 28 lbs (different exam room, different nurse, different scale). I know it's hard to tell with a four year old (I have one of those, too) but does she LOOK any heavier? It might be nothing you need to worry about.

J.

I wouldnt stress over it too much, unless she's already overweight. Kids usually go through spurts, i dont think its unsual. If your dr isnt concerned, i wouldnt be to worried. Is she active? Does she play any sports, ride her bike, swim at the ymca. Activites to keep her active. As long as shes a normal, active child, its not worth worrying about. Sometimes if a parent does this too much, the child can become concerned about this too, and think they're "fat".

I don't really think you should be concerned. It's probably just a growth spurt. You are monitoring what she is eating, she's healthy and happy, so what if she's gaining weight. If the Dr's aren't concerned and didn't mention it, you shouldn't be either.

Children grow out then up in most cases. Try not to make yourself crazy with worry over your child's wieght. It is most likely a growth spurt.