percentile and health

[Leena143]

my 8 year old daughter is becoming thicker around the waist although she is very active, exercises and spends a lot of time on the go, not sitting and watching tv, etc. We have a terrible time finding clothes to fit around her stomach and waist. She's starting wearing a sports bra because you can see through her t-shirts if they're thin and she's very self conscious about it. I stress to eat healthy and don't emphasize the fat or overweight words at all. She eats a lot of fruit, little vegies but likes to divide up her lunch into the food groups to be sure she gets them all. I'm at a loss and have started limiting her sugars and fats but know she needs some. Her Dr. says she's healthy, the last time we went. Please advise. I don't want it to affect her health nor her self esteem. Thanks.

[Renee Radenberg]

Her weight is above 95th percentile and her height is just below the 90th percentile for her age. It is good that she is active. She needs fat, however, suggest only cooking low fat meats (chicken, fish, loin of pork) or non-meat sources (soy products, nuts), low fat vegetarian combinations (rice & beans, pasta & beans, low fat cheese & pasta), fat free or low fat dairy products (skim milk, 1% milk, low fat cheese, low fat yogurts, low fat soy milk/yogurt), use plant oils, non trans-fat margarines. She will get sugar from fruit, vegetables and starches which she eats. Suggest eating high fiber breads and cereals (oatmeal), too. Try to take the focus off of food and increase the physical activities. Hoped this helped.