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 You can't force your Child to exersize or do anything they don't want to. You can limit time spent on the computer or watching TV. Try and find some cool music your kids like and ask them to do an aerobic workout with the music on. Try and eat healthy foods most of the time and don't eat fast food if you can avoid it. also try to talk to your child and make them aware that there are health risks associated with being over weight. Hope this helps!
Reply from Debbie, Child's Age 13 - 08/31/05 - IP#: 70.110.145.xxx I see that you wrote that your child does not get made fun of at school... please don't be so sure of that. I bet if you had asked my mother if I got picked on at school she would have said no also. My secret was that I did get picked on, I never told a single person about it though. It would have been too embarrassing and painful to admit. Instead I stuffed it inside and turned it around on myself, which just lead to more eating and not wanting to be physical. It's not fun walking or running when you are too worried about someone saying something rude, making sounds or pretending the earth is shaking from whatever activity you are doing. I know about the maturing early too, I got boobs and my period when I was 8. Do what you are doing with her activity wise and try changing it around and making as fun as possible. My son started enjoying walks with me when he realized that he got my full attention for an hour each day... no little brother around. The time you spend with her doing physical things can bring you closer to her. I believe that you are on the right track with her and I wish the best for you both. I just seen that you wrote she is comfortable with herself and you don't want to make her feel any different. She doesn't have to feel different because she isn't at least not because of her weight. A healthy lifestyle should be the goal for the entire family no matter what they weigh. Junk food and sitting around is just as bad for skinny people. So lead the way by living the healthiest way you can that way when she is exercising or having to eat certain things she will just be doing what everyone else in the family is doing. As for the maturing early just be understanding and let her talk to you openly about it if she wants. My best friend when I was young was as skinny as a rail and she developed quite young too so be assured that there will be others her age going through it at the same time too.
Reply from Caroline, Child's Age 14 - 08/31/05 - IP#: 68.118.176.xxx Hi, Have her dance while listen to music. It helped Kay with her weight problems.
Reply from Matthew, Child's Age 8 - 08/30/05 - IP#: 165.247.220.xxx Hi how are you? Well it is very sad about that but you know things will get better and i hope things work out if u want to talk about it email me at wildernes@seeqmail.com or maybe talking to her might help.
Reply from Mary, Child's Age 7 - 08/29/05 - IP#: 209.49.254.xxx Maura, your daughter sounds like my son, he will be 8 at the end of Nov. and is 5' tall and 145 lbs., just started 2nd grade. I had him to a ped endocrynologist in July and he has no medical problems just genetics. Her suggestion, replace sugar with splenda products and get 1/2 hour constant indoor exercise, treadmill or bike. She would like to see his weight stay the same as he gets taller. We are doing good at not gaining any weight. We made an exercise chart and if he can do his 1/2 hour 5 times a week for 3 weeks we will do something fun, like a show or bowling and he wants to learn to ice skate. My 15 yr old son and I are going to begin this with him today. He takes his lunch from home and I have special snacks with his sandwich, you can get pudding and applesauce and so many other things sweetened with splenda vs. the sugar. Kool Aid has a drink pouch now with splenda you just have to look. I also cut fat to under 10 grams per serving and go for low carb. He has been instructed to not trade his lunch as these are HIS SPECIAL treats. I do let him get the pizza lunch each week. There are many brands of ice cream also sweetened with splenda. BUT, the most important thing is portion control, ONLY ONE SERVING!!!! He likes to eat but I have cut out seconds unless it's vegetables or something I feel is OK. I buy everything in single serve portions and he gets ONE. If he complains he's hungry he gets fruit or water. I think he understands what is going on but we refer this to eating healthy not a diet. I made arrangements with the teacher so I know when there is a birhtday snack and adjust his intake accodingly. I myself have lived through this and I wanted to spare my children the teasing and tormenting. I will do anything to help him lose/maintain weight. I do not want him to gain. His brother is 5'11" and 180 lbs at 14 and he plays sports and has most of his father's genes but this change in eating habits has helped him too. Good Luck.
Reply from matte, Child's Age 8 - 08/29/05 - IP#: 193.181.154.xxx Hi, your daughter sounds like my son, also 8 yo, he is 4'9 and weighs 160 (see page 7). He lives with me part time and with his mother part time. I am also very obese, so I guess he doesnt hav a good example. I have lately been trying to reduce the food he eats, but he gets real angry if he isnt allowed to eat what he wants--I know his mother cant stand that and feed him extra all the time. With me he gets no sweets, but since I am so big I eat a lot and he gets to eat the same. He is very happy and social and have lots of friends that also offer him snacks when they are together. I didnt use to care but when i found he is to big to run with the other kids, I understood i had to try something
