“My daughter is gaining weight on top but her legs are too lean. Why?”
My daughter is 8 years old and is gaining weight in her upper body but her legs look extremely lean. What could be the reason for this?
3 Answers
The pediatrician should check for enlarged organs, bloating belly, constipation, gas in abdomen etc. A detailed history from the parent is very helpful.
This could be her body style, do your family members or dad's family members have this shape? She could be exercising her upper body more than her legs and getting more muscle in the upper body. Also 8 1/2 to 9 years old is common for some puberty signs with upper chest starting to develop,
This condition is called lipodystrophy, meaning the fatty tissue distribution in the body is disturbed. This condition may be hormonal and needs to be evaluated and treated. You may start with her regular pediatrician and investigate possible options to see a subspecialist.
