Gaining Weight On gluten-free Diet

[crubischko]

My 6 year old daughter was diagnosed with Celiac in July of 2011 and she's been gluten-free ever since. She now does well in all categories except height and weight since she's made the switch. She's at the 4% for weight and the 1% for height. Antibodies are normal and at the request of our doctor, we had growth deficiency ruled out. The doc continues to be concerned because she is about to go below the charts for height and weight. We had a six month follow up today and she went down on the charts. His only suggestion at this point is to continue to increase her caloric intake. She's growing in both height and weight but the measurements are based on all six year olds (with and without Celiac) so she continues to fall on the charts. She is petite but our family is of short stature so I don't necessarily feel like it's that odd; however, the doctor makes me worry and I wonder if there's something else going on.

Has anyone else had issues with their children who are Celiac gaining weight and/or growing at a normal pace?

[Takala]

Everyone grows at a different rate, and if she is anything like other North American earthlings, she is going to be in a slow, near dormant phase now and start up again this spring. Sheesh! Doctors!

I'm sometimes seeing photos of regular sized women with these 2 year old toddlers who are as physically large as what a 4 to 5 year old used to be 50 years ago - that ought to be scaring people, because just because they are large and maturing early physically, it doesn't mean that their emotional maturity is matching.

[StephanieL]

Where is she on HER growth curve? That is the important part. As long as she's following her curve, I wouldn't be overly concerned at all. I know our Dr. was worried about DS's weight and we wee sent to a (useless) dietitian. But he's following HIS patterns.

[crubischko]

Where is she on HER growth curve? That is the important part. As long as she's following her curve, I wouldn't be overly concerned at all. I know our Dr. was worried about DS's weight and we wee sent to a (useless) dietitian. But he's following HIS patterns.

She's dropped slightly on the height side and dropped about 6% on the weight side. We have also seen a dietician and felt the same way as you (useless). My game plan now is to start counting her calorie intake and introduce a new nutrition shake. Thanks for your thoughts!

Casey

[crubischko]

Everyone grows at a different rate, and if she is anything like other North American earthlings, she is going to be in a slow, near dormant phase now and start up again this spring. Sheesh! Doctors!

I'm sometimes seeing photos of regular sized women with these 2 year old toddlers who are as physically large as what a 4 to 5 year old used to be 50 years ago - that ought to be scaring people, because just because they are large and maturing early physically, it doesn't mean that their emotional maturity is matching.

It really helps to get other opinions. Thanks for your thoughts!

[dStess]

Hi my daughter has a serious problem with gaining weight as well. She's 12 and is looking very unhealthy and she was doing well for a month I could see a small change in gaining weight then all of a sudden she looks like she lost again. She was diagnosed in march with Celiac and we've been gluten free for her 100% since but I have a question and it might be a stupid one but does anyone know if pool chemicals can have an effect on celiac kids?

[frieze]

Hi my daughter has a serious problem with gaining weight as well. She's 12 and is looking very unhealthy and she was doing well for a month I could see a small change in gaining weight then all of a sudden she looks like she lost again. She was diagnosed in march with Celiac and we've been gluten free for her 100% since but I have a question and it might be a stupid one but does anyone know if pool chemicals can have an effect on celiac kids?

hey, dStess, make your own post, so your question doesn't get lost! good luck