Child Bodybuilders: OK or No Way?

Child Bodybuilders: OK or No Way?

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

When a tween girl enters bodybuilding competitions, not everyone is cheering.

10-year-old Maughan Wellham says she's just your normal girl...with bigger muscles. This self-described "fitness fanatic" who runs and does push-ups and squats religiously is causing quite a stir in her native Australia for entering bodybuilding competitions.

Her mom Michelle Wellham says she sees nothing wrong with her daughter bodybuilding at such a young age. "Maughan wanted to do it for fun. So I investigated it. I am very protective of my children," she told the Herald Sun.

But critics worry that bodybuilding at such a young age can be damaging to Maughan's health, body image, and self-esteem. Click here to see what our expert has to say.

Do you think kids should be allowed to enter bodybuilding competitions?

4 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

Are you all brainless sensationalists? Her mother has been miss quoted. Mauhgan has been falsely represented in the media also. She does no weights. She does not religiously follow any excessive exercise regime. Lets be typical Australians and do the tall poppy thing, if you don’t have the energy to make sure kids are eating healthy or playing sport like Mauhgan you should shut the hell up. The media were given ALL the facts, and ran with almost none of them. This kid plays soccer, does athletics, and is a great all rounder in every sport she tries her hand to. Get your facts from her parents first hand before you try damaging a childs confidence and a parents reputation. Go feed your kid another box of biscuits and buy them a DVD while you sleep in on Sunday. Keep on running Mauhgan, they are all SOOOOOO jealous!

- chocolate cake

Posted 07/24/08 11:02 PM

I had 2 girls go thru High School doing power lifting. What a confidence and character builder it was! They were and are beautiful women. It may have given them courage to not be swayed by their peers. I couldn’t be prouder of my girls for what they have done. Girls need to get away from the ‘doll house’ and get physical.

- FarmMomKathy

Posted 09/08/08 11:49 PM

if the kids happy with it why not let the kid do it

- nick

Posted 01/21/09 10:37 AM

I had a cousin that started bodybuilding at that age and by 13 was very muscular. She did some school competitions and while at first it was hard to believe how muscular she was it was incredibly awesome. There is nothing wrong with kids bodybuilding and is probably very good healthwise.

- ww

Posted 02/08/09 11:09 AM