From Maura, Child's Age 8 - 08/26/05 - IP#: 67.9.103.xxx Click here to reply
My daughter is 8 and she weights 161. This put tears in my eyes today, she is very tall for her age 5 feet. She was premature and very big, 8lbs 9 oz @ 21 inches. She was 5 weeks premmie. Her doctors kept saying her height will grow into her weight. Well that has not happened. The kids do not make fun of her which I am grateful for. Her dad's family all are overweight as 3 had the stomach surgery to lose weight. I am also 50 pounds overweight.
I am starting to have her work out in the fitness center and take her swimming everyday. I live in Texas it is still hot here, She is very stubborn about her eating habits. Believe it or not, she loves fish and chicken but hates red meat. I need a support group to help me because I do not want to show her any difference to some extent. She is comfortable with herself, but at 8 because of her fat level is causing her to start maturing.
Reply from Miranda, Child's Age 12 - 12/29/06 - IP#: 209.89.134.xxx
Reply from Debbie, Child's Age 13 - 08/31/05 - IP#: 70.110.145.xxx
Reply from Caroline, Child's Age 14 - 08/31/05 - IP#: 68.118.176.xxx
Reply from Matthew, Child's Age 8 - 08/30/05 - IP#: 165.247.220.xxx
Reply from Mary, Child's Age 7 - 08/29/05 - IP#: 209.49.254.xxx
Reply from matte, Child's Age 8 - 08/29/05 - IP#: 193.181.154.xxx
From Jennifer, Child's Age 6 - 08/24/05 - IP#: 205.188.116.xxx Click here to reply
HI.My son is 6 years old and weighs 62 pounds.He has a belly but I think he is perfect.I try to tell him he just hasent grown into his skin yet. I have recently had to come up with more definitions due to the fact he goes to his dads every other weekend and it turns out his dad and step mom are the ones telling him he is getting fat.As I write this with tears in my eyes and anger on my brain.I have talked to his dad about this and he says Im being pethetic.I know Iam not.I do not want my son to have emotional problems and hate his body.I have been looking on line for information to pass on to his dad to explain what he is saying is tramatizing to this poor boy.I have also come to the point I do not want to send my son to his fathers for this reason.But I do not want to punish my son for what he knows nothing about.AWWWW I'm so stuck can some one please help me???
Reply from Miranda, Child's Age 12 - 12/29/06 - IP#: 209.89.134.xxx
From F.Nurse, Child's Age 14 - 08/20/05 - IP#: 24.129.77.xxx Click here to reply
Parents, STOP talking about your children like this, behind their back to strangers ,instead get them personal help.
Reply from Debbie, Child's Age 13 - 08/22/05 - IP#: 4.239.18.xxx
Reply from joe, Child's Age 14 - 08/21/05 - IP#: 66.8.225.xxx
From Ralph, Child's Age 14 - 08/20/05 - IP#: 24.254.246.xxx Click here to reply
My daughter, Rachel, is very big. I'm not exactly sure how much she weighs, because we don't believe in home scales and she refuses blatantly to get on the scale at school or the doctor's office. However, she is only around five feet tall, but wears a size 18 in jeans. We have to have them specially made from Lane Bryant to cut the length, and this can't be good. She plays no sports and is not interested in anything except books. My wife and I have no weight problems at all, and we keep no junk food in the house, but we are also an active pair. We try to get Rachel to walk the dogs with us, but she just heaves herself up and asks to stop after only about half a block. I took her to a swimming pool a few weeks ago, and I was slightly horrified at what I saw. Rachel has gained about 65 pounds in the last year, I would guess, and her stomach hid the bottom of her bikini completely. It was flabby and sick looking. I'm buying a scale in a few minutes, I just wanted to jot this down before I left. I'll post later.
Reply from Miranda, Child's Age 12 - 12/29/06 - IP#: 209.89.134.xxx
Reply from Beth, Child's Age 15 - 08/24/05 - IP#: 24.3.173.xxx
Reply from Matthew, Child's Age 8 - 08/22/05 - IP#: 165.247.217.xxx
Reply from Ralph, Child's Age 14 - 08/20/05 - IP#: 24.254.246.xxx
Reply from Jeremy, Child's Age 13 - 08/20/05 - IP#: 69.241.196.xxx
Reply from Ralph, Child's Age 14 - 08/20/05 - IP#: 24.254.246.xxx
From Debbie, Child's Age 13 - 08/17/05 - IP#: 70.110.212.xxx Click here to reply
I was wondering if any mothers here of overweight children had undiagnosed or untreated gestational diabetes? I was diagnosed with it during the pregnancy of my youngest and had to give myself insulin and follow a diet and he is thin. I believe I had it with my 13 year old too but I was never tested so I never was diagnosed or treated for it. I definitely remember having the same symptoms that occurred with my youngest but never mentioned it to my ob/gyn so she never gave me the sugar test. I have since learned that gestational diabetes can cause the baby to have extra fat cells stored in him and making the baby larger than normal. With my youngest not only did I do the insulin but they induced my labor a couple weeks early to keep him from becoming too large. Now my oldest was actually born at 42 weeks or two weeks later than a normal full term pregnancy. The only reason he was... (view more)I was wondering if any mothers here of overweight children had undiagnosed or untreated gestational diabetes? I was diagnosed with it during the pregnancy of my youngest and had to give myself insulin and follow a diet and he is thin. I believe I had it with my 13 year old too but I was never tested so I never was diagnosed or treated for it. I definitely remember having the same symptoms that occurred with my youngest but never mentioned it to my ob/gyn so she never gave me the sugar test. I have since learned that gestational diabetes can cause the baby to have extra fat cells stored in him and making the baby larger than normal. With my youngest not only did I do the insulin but they induced my labor a couple weeks early to keep him from becoming too large. Now my oldest was actually born at 42 weeks or two weeks later than a normal full term pregnancy. The only reason he was born then is because they realized he had to come out immediately and it didn't appear he would be doing that on his own. So he was induced too. He looked so long and big... and all those cute little newborn diapers I had stocked up on were pretty much a waste of money because they didn't even come close to fitting him. Once again I rambled, sorry. I was just wondering about the gestational diabetes thing and if maybe that could be a contributing factor for some childrens weight problems. (view less)
From Debbie, Child's Age 13 - 08/17/05 - IP#: 70.110.212.xxx Click here to reply
Just a little story to share. When my son was 3 he was almost 90 pounds and kids his age only came up to below his chest. So I was advised to take him to a pediatric endocrinologist to have him checked. After the tests were done the doctor said that my son's metabolism was fine and that it did seem that he had a bit of and overgrowth. He was big when he was born 10 pounds and 24 inches long. The funny thing is that the doctor looked at me and said "keep him active, feed him healthy and forget about him having a career as a ballerina because he definitely isn't going to be a ballerina"
Reply from Debbie, Child's Age 13 - 08/22/05 - IP#: 4.239.18.xxx
Reply from Tyler, Child's Age 14 - 08/20/05 - IP#: 207.255.116.xxx
Reply from Ralph, Child's Age 14 - 08/20/05 - IP#: 24.254.246.xxx
Reply from N E 1 GOD, Child's Age 40 - 08/19/05 - IP#: 205.188.116.xxx
Reply from marie - 08/19/05 - IP#: 198.182.163.xxx
From Marie - 08/17/05 - IP#: 198.182.163.xxx Click here to reply
...some things are just changing routine and will result in less eating. Eat at the table always, don't eat after dinner, always serve a fruit and a veggie with dinner so it balances calories, don't make leftovers, just drinking skim milk vs. whole will result in a 18lbs wt loss in one year..small changes that do not make you feel deprived. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store and skip the inner isles they contain the processed foods. Get a health magazine subscription they have awewome stories about weight loss and great meal ideas, muscle magazines are great especially for boys.
Reply from Debbie, Child's Age 13 - 08/17/05 - IP#: 70.110.212.xxx
From Marie - 08/17/05 - IP#: 198.182.163.xxx Click here to reply
I agree with both of the previous posts. Just remember in todays world we have the tools and the knowledge for weight loss. When I was growing up obese my parents did not have the knowledge and they did the best they could, therefore I did not resent them. If I were a child growing in todays world and my parent did not try every reasonable avenue to help me...support me, I would resent them in the end. As parents we protect our children from drugs, abuse etc. Food kills too and this too is our responsibility to save our children from the risks of obesity.It is never about the way the extra weight looks it is how it slows down and puts a damper on our ability to live a full and productive life and what it can do to our longevity and health.
From Debbie, Child's Age 13 - 08/15/05 - IP#: 70.110.176.xxx Click here to reply
The school year will be beginning soon and for those of us with overweight children it is a scary and worrisome time. I know that once again my son will be teased and harassed by knuckleheads who feel so bad about themselves that they need to put him down to make themselves feel better. Though my son is only 13 he is 6' 2" tall and weighs about 265. I do my best to support him in all his endeavors whether it is weight loss or some other thing he wants to accomplish. I adore him and let him know that he is great just as he is though he is aware that there are health issues with being to overweight.
We as parents must remember to give our children our full and UNCONDITIONAL love. Be a shoulder for your child to cry on, be the rock they can cling to when they feel like they are drowning be whatever they need you to be. Just losing weight is not the answer to their problems ... I... (view more)The school year will be beginning soon and for those of us with overweight children it is a scary and worrisome time. I know that once again my son will be teased and harassed by knuckleheads who feel so bad about themselves that they need to put him down to make themselves feel better. Though my son is only 13 he is 6' 2" tall and weighs about 265. I do my best to support him in all his endeavors whether it is weight loss or some other thing he wants to accomplish. I adore him and let him know that he is great just as he is though he is aware that there are health issues with being to overweight.
We as parents must remember to give our children our full and UNCONDITIONAL love. Be a shoulder for your child to cry on, be the rock they can cling to when they feel like they are drowning be whatever they need you to be. Just losing weight is not the answer to their problems ... I know that because I lost over 100 pounds and I still have the same problems in life that I had before except now I can't blame them on being overweight. Now I really have to deal with them and stop blaming my weight. Make changes in your whole families lifestyle to support your child's needs, after all even non-overweight children and parents will benefit from healthy foods and exercise. Don't make all *bad* foods completely forbidden because that just teaches the child to hide food and binge whenever they can. Allow those foods in single serving proportions and only occasionally. My son has lost a good deal of weight and he has gained a good deal of muscle from all the activities he has done this summer. I have told him I am so proud of him but not because he lost weight but because he is a wonderful person and anyone who has the chance to know him is very lucky. I will be here for him if he wants to talk about what goes on at school but I won't push him because sometimes it is even more humiliating to live it all again when telling the story. I will step in when he needs(and wants) me to. I also will be working with the school and other parents to try to figure out how to deal with the teasing and harassing that goes on every single day.
Please be strong for your children and do not make them feel like they are less because they are overweight. We are the adults and like it or not our habits and lifestyles have helped our children become overweight. We are the ones that need to make the changes to help all our children with whatever issues they may be facing. (view less)
Reply from Debbie, Child's Age 13 - 08/15/05 - IP#: 70.16.154.xxx
Reply from Dad, Child's Age 15 - 08/15/05 - IP#: 24.28.152.xxx
From Joe, Child's Age 14 - 08/15/05 - IP#: 66.8.225.xxx Click here to reply
This message refers to the previous post from Debbie. I want to thank her for her wise advice. Nothing against the well-meaning teens who post here on the parents board, but Debbie's post is just cwhat I come here to read. I'm a single dad. My two sons are 144 and 11. The 14 year old is 6'0" and weighs 325 and the 11 year old is 5'1" and a very heavy 270. I'm 380 myself and it's hard to make sure we all eat healthy when all 3 of us have big appetites. My sons say everything is OK with them, but reading Debbie's post alerted me to the fact that they may be teased at school, and I'm going to work real hard to make sure I'm there for them. Thanks again, Debbie.
Reply from Debbie, Child's Age 13 - 08/17/05 - IP#: 70.110.177.xxx
From Steve, Child's Age 23 - 08/11/05 - IP#: 200.88.31.xxx Click here to reply
I hope you all will forgive me if I slip my daughter Megan in as a child even though she is 23. (Actually Megan is not 23 emotionally as she suffers from impulsivity, low initiative and poor self esteem.) Megan weighs 220 and is 5' 6". She started gaining weight about 8 years ago when her Grandmother, with whom she had a conflicted relationship, died.
Megan still lives at home with us and is a good moral person with a great sense of humor. And as a family we eat a very healthy Mediterranean style diet with no sugar and low fat. So obviously she is bingeing offsite as she is exercising regularly with walking and an old Richard Simmons video. She has tried lots of diets with no real success.
We live in a Third world country so our access to spas, etc. is limited. We have sent her to a psychiatrist but with no real success. I see Megan having more and more physical and... (view more)I hope you all will forgive me if I slip my daughter Megan in as a child even though she is 23. (Actually Megan is not 23 emotionally as she suffers from impulsivity, low initiative and poor self esteem.) Megan weighs 220 and is 5' 6". She started gaining weight about 8 years ago when her Grandmother, with whom she had a conflicted relationship, died.
Megan still lives at home with us and is a good moral person with a great sense of humor. And as a family we eat a very healthy Mediterranean style diet with no sugar and low fat. So obviously she is bingeing offsite as she is exercising regularly with walking and an old Richard Simmons video. She has tried lots of diets with no real success.
We live in a Third world country so our access to spas, etc. is limited. We have sent her to a psychiatrist but with no real success. I see Megan having more and more physical and emotional health problems due to her obesity and am more than willing to invest financially in her future. The problem is I don't know what to do. My questions: (Finally)
1. Are there other web sites or e-mail lists, perhaps monitored by professionals,that specifically address our situation profiled above that anyone could recommend?
2. Does anyone have a recommendation on a short term live-in spa-type facility that would help Megan? Or even an Internet based support group? While we are not "big rich" money is not an issue.
3. Do concrete rewards (bribes?) help children in losing weight? Megan has ALWAYS wanted to go to Florence, Italy. I have thought about offering to send her and her mom to Florence when she loses 25 punds and keeps them off for say three months. And she also really wants a car. I've thought about getting her a car at 50# and keepng it off for six months. But I also don't want to make the situation worse and I'm no psychiatrist. Your suggestions, please?
My thanks in advance and my sympathies to the folks listed who have lost their children.
Steve (view less)
Reply from steve, Child's Age 23 - 08/21/05 - IP#: 200.88.31.xxx
Reply from Dee, Child's Age 15 - 08/16/05 - IP#: 216.175.30.xxx
From Nancy, Child's Age 13 - 08/07/05 - IP#: 64.12.116.xxx Click here to reply
Hi - I have a 13 year old boy soon entering 8th grade at 5'0 and 140 pounds. I would like to find an e-mail pen pal for him for moral support. Any parents have a son near the same age that might be interested in the same sort of moral support? To e-mail me - please write ncstorrs@aol.com
Reply from Debbie, Child's Age 13 - 08/15/05 - IP#: 70.110.176.xxx
Reply from Nick, Child's Age 15 - 08/12/05 - IP#: 141.154.39.xxx
Reply from Pasquale, Child's Age 16 - 08/08/05 - IP#: 65.50.23.xxx
From Denee, Child's Age 16 - 08/03/05 - IP#: 207.144.198.xxx Click here to reply
my child is 16 5'6 and 240 pounds I see her crying every night and I wish I could help her but everytime i bring up her weight she gets mad at me. School is coming up soon and she does not want to go because she will be laughted at and made fun of please if you can help me e-mail me at jessandgram@winco.net
Reply from kelsee, Child's Age 14 - 08/06/05 - IP#: 68.0.210.xxx
From David, Child's Age 17 - 08/03/05 - IP#: 81.79.187.xxx Click here to reply
I came here to post some very bad news. My wife Caris has been keeping you updated about our daughter who was 500+ and almost immobile. I just thought I'd let you know that she passed away 3 days ago. She had just started on a supervised weightloss programme and had been donig very well. I guess it was too late for her. :(
I'm also very shocked and saddened to find out that another obese child from this board has passed away this week also.
Please don't let this happen to your child, stop them before they get as big as our Jen did.
Reply from Helen, Child's Age 12 - 12/29/06 - IP#: 209.89.134.xxx
Reply from darlene, Child's Age 6 - 08/19/05 - IP#: 152.163.100.xxx
Reply from Reed, Child's Age 16 - 08/15/05 - IP#: 64.12.116.xxx
Reply from kelsee, Child's Age 14 - 08/04/05 - IP#: 68.0.210.xxx
Reply from nicole, Child's Age 12 - 08/04/05 - IP#: 80.43.90.xxx
Reply from Kayome, Child's Age 13 - 08/03/05 - IP#: 64.229.152.xxx
Reply from Gabby, Child's Age 15 - 08/03/05 - IP#: 216.162.217.xxx
From matte, Child's Age 8 - 08/03/05 - IP#: 193.181.154.xxx Click here to reply
I guess I have the same problem, both I and my son overeat a lot. Are you or anyone else in the family heavy too?
Who pays for his food? Couldnt you buy less food? Is he mobile enough to buy his own food? How about a lock on the fridge. Does he drink a lot of sodas? I started buying sparkling water instead, my son got used to that after some time.
I guess your doctor is right unfortunately, if he keeps gaining like this he will not survive, what did he say when the doc told him that?
|
