When my daughter was 11, she lost a lot of weight, became very skinny, and was obsessed with food and exercising. We got her help. Now she is a beautiful 13 year old who has left her scary past behind her. Except for one thing, she hasn't grown in a long time. She is 4'9". What will spark her growth spurt?

I am sorry you and your daughter had to go through Anorexia, especially at such a young age.

Now, keep in mind that she is only 13, she still has a few years in which to grow. While anorexia does tend to stunt the growth because the major nutrients are left out, she still does have time.

There are not any foods that will start a growth spurt, but you may want to talk to her doctor about possibly starting some growth hormones.

Keep feeding her nutritious (not necessarily-fattening foods). She may have reduced the capacity for her long bones to grow to the fullest potential if she had not had anorexia, but this effect could be minimised by keeping her diet enriched with as many healthy foodstuffs as you can get into her.


P.S. being tall is not the be all and end all-it's great she did so well (and you too) for conquering this debilitating illness.

Best wishes.