Weight loss questions??!!
in Health ·
So, I’ve got a bit of a situation on my hands and I’m looking for some perspective... I have a thirteen-year-old niece who is currently in seventh grade, and honestly, her weight is starting to really worry me. She is incredibly thin—to the point where it feels like she might be bordering on anorexia. When she bends her elbows, her joints look like toothpicks. Since her parents (my sister and her husband) are constantly working and tied up with their careers, there isn't much anyone around to monitor what she’s actually eating or how much. To get straight to the point, my sister and I had a bit of a disagreement yesterday regarding her appearance. My sister insists that she’s just thin and that it’s perfectly normal given that she’s going through puberty and all that. I, on the other hand, am trying to show her that this isn't healthy and that she simply isn't eating enough. It's not just me, either; my husband and several other family members have pointed out how underweight she is. While plenty of kids go through skinny phases, I’m terrified that this goes way beyond just being "slim." I guess what I'm wondering is: who can I turn to for professional guidance or documentation that could support my concerns? I want to be able to show my sister that this level of thinness isn't okay and that we need to encourage her to eat more. I’ve noticed her peers at school; while many of them are slender, they all seem much more "solid" and healthy-looking than she does. Her parents have a larger build, so I don't think it's a genetic thing—it feels more like she's just not getting enough nutrients, proteins, or vitamins during such a critical stage of development. Does anyone know which professionals I should reach out to for expert advice? I just want to know who is right in this situation and how to best help her. Thanks in advance!