Helping 5 year old to gain/maintain weight?

[mariposamama]

My 5 year old is 35lbs and 41" tall. She has always been petite, I was as a child as well and her sister (who eats way more than she EVER did) is following the same growth pattern as she did (which funny enough is almost identical to mine, can we say genetics?). She is very active all day, playing outside, riding her bike, running, riding her scooter, etc. She does gymnastics 3 hours a week.

My concern is that she is going to be moved to team by summer and that will be 12 hours a week (level 4). How on earth is she going to gain any weight then? I worry because she is one of the smaller ones in her class and it just seems she would be better off with a little more meat on her.

Anyone else struggle with this? I am so over the comments about how tiny my kids are. They aren't THAT tiny. They are petite, but it is how they are naturally. She does eat, but not as much as I think she will need for that much practice a week.

Ideas?

(Also, not sure where this should have gone, so I put it in Q&A) would love input from parents, gymnasts, coaches, anyone!

[skfleming255]

My dd is 7 years old and weighs only 40 pounds. I am 31 and 5'4" and weigh only 92. My dd's are destined to be tiny. My 7 year old does gymnastics for 4 hours a week. I don't worry too much about her b/c she is healthy and active. I just know that she is going to be small like me. As long as she's healthy and not losing weight, I don't have a problem with her being tiny.

[Ingymmom]

mariposamama, as you mentioned, genetics does play a big role in your childs development. As long as she is staying healthy, eating well and her pediatrician positively signs off on her growth/weight chart every year all is well

I will say that last year Audrey was off the chart in height/weight and after she joined comp gymnatics, she is now in the 5% for her age/weight/height. She is 37lbs, 42 inches. We have her eat as healthy as possible - which is no problem with her + she eats big for a little one lol. She eats a healthy snack at practice, always eats breakfast, lunch & dinner with more snacks in between. If you are really concerned I am sure there are healthy high calorie shakes to add to her diet... just get all approved with her ped. Our ped is well aware of A's schedule, diet and approves whole heartedly.

[mariposamama]

thanks! i don't worry about her at all now. she is always super healthy and has always followed her growth curve. she is strong and very active, so obviously not starving. LOL. my worry is that she will be burning much more calories when she starts having more practice a week and i don't want her to lose weight or stop gaining.

i have an awesome protein shake mix i love from sprouts. might have to get some of that for her. yummy. luckily she loves cottage cheese as well, which has lots of fat and protein. gotta get them in small punches because she isn't a big eater.

[Ingymmom]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mariposamama my worry is that she will be burning much more calories when she starts having more practice a week and i don't want her to lose weight or stop gaining.

Most likely her appetite will increase with more activity - nothing to worry about until you cross that bridge

[gymmomntc2e6]

My dd is 7 and 42lbs. she is 46inches. long arms and legs - which she has trouble keeping straight
has always been in 5th percentile as has ds, who is 11, 4ft 8in and 63lbs. practically can't see him if her turns sideways.
: )

[maddiekate]

i don't think its anything to worry about. I'm 5'2", and 80 lbs. I think it makes gymnastics easier. I'm not unhealthy or anything. I actually think i gained weight for starting gymnastics, because of muscle and because i am always hungry.

[Kayleigh]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ingymmom Most likely her appetite will increase with more activity - nothing to worry about until you cross that bridge

Oh gosh, I used to eat NOTHING. Now I eat pretty much everything that crosses my path. it's horrible and I really need to stop, but I'm just always hungry.

[gymnast4evr]

im tiny too. im 4'8 and 75 pounds and im 13. i know thats small. my mom and dad are really short too. i eat fine and its ok to be short it is easier in gymnastics for me. my teammates are like 5'2' and i usually get skills before them. but yeah its ok too be short. don't worry.

[united team girl]

m a level six gymnast and i was so small when i got in. Now i weigh like 92 pounds! Gymnasts are almost always going to be little. but once they put her in level four, she will gain weight. In the begining, she will start working out harder and then she will get hungrier and then get some more meat on her bones. Then she will gai alot of muscle. Most of me is still muscle! Make sure she eats her protien!