Understanding Stomach Issues: A Teen Swimmer's Concern

Question
Hi! I am a 14 year old girl who swims 6 days a week for 2 hours. I eat a well-balanced diet and weigh approx 120 lb (well I don't think about it much so that weight was from my doctor's app. like almost half a year ago I think..but I assure you I haven't gained/lost a significant amount of weight since then.). The other day I was with my friend and she weighs the same weight that I do and is the same height, only she is a lot less muscular and does not do any exercise/activity. I noticed that I'm just as thin as her (except where the muscle is) but then at the stomach, I'm a LOT thicker. I don't know why. It may be fat, but could it also be muscle? It seems really disproportional to the rest of my body which is muscle and bones (I am on the muscular side). Also, when I suck in and flex, I do have a six pack. Could all the fat be stored in my stomach, because I thought It's stored in the thigh/hip/chest region, and all of those I do not have. Do you know what it is (I'm positive it's not worms)? Thanks!

Answer
HI Katie,
Most likely the answer is genetic. We all hold fat in different places, which is determined by our genetics. For women it's more common to hold it in the hips and thighs, but some women hold more in the stomach. Hormonal fluctuations can also cause bloating in the stomach area. This may have been happening when you noticed.
Keep up with the swimming. Two hours a day is impressive!!
Sarah