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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Will I lose weight after puberty

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    Weight Management
    After puberty, will you lose weight?
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    • Arlene Normand
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    Arlene Normand

    Dietitian

    Arlene is a registered practising dietitian, with a private practice in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, and has built a strong business over the last … View Profile

    You'll probably gain weight in puberty -- most girls do. You may notice more body fat along the upper arms, thighs, and upper back. Your hips will grow rounder and wider; your waist will become narrower.

    Your doctor will check your height and weight each year to make sure you are growing properly. If you are gaining weight too fast, you may need to increase your exercise and substitute fruits and vegetables for junk foods. You should have a regular exercise regime and be aware of the portions you are eating.

    Puberty typically begins between ages eight and 13, and lasts about two to four years. During this time, the amount of fat, muscle and bone changes quickly as girls make the transition into womanhood. Failure to gain weight during adolescence is actually unhealthy (gaining too much can also be unhealthy).

    Major bodily changes take place in girls during puberty; the final major growth spurt in life occurs during this period. Puberty actually begins when the brain instructs the ovaries to make the female hormone oestrogen. This hormone and others cause a girl's body to grow in size and change in shape as it prepares for procreation -- or having a baby. Gaining 7kg. or more during puberty is considered normal and necessary for proper growth and development. As a girl develops, her body will make more fat to allow for fuller thighs, stomach and breasts, and wider hips. Lean body mass in girls diminishes from approximately 80 percent to 75 percent by the end of puberty, while the amount of body fat increases. In comparison, the percentage of lean muscle mass in boys increases from about 80 percent to 90 percent by the time they reach adulthood.

    To reduce your percentage body fat increase your exercise both aerobic and weights.

    If you are unhappy with your weight I suggest you consult an accredited dietitian to advise you on healthy eating lifestyle.

     

     

     

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