From Brenda, Child's Age 7 - 10/05/06 - IP#: 64.184.45.xxx Click here to reply
Hi. My daughter was a normal-weight child until last year. Despite watching portion control and pushing fruits and veggies,and making sure she's moving and active, she's continued to gain weight -- 12-16 lbs in the past 12 months. Her BMI is 93%. The extra weight is beginning to wound her. Yesterday I found her in tears, "Mommy, why is my tummy growing so big." We went to the Dr. last Christmas and were not taken seriously..."she'll grow into her new weight soon." We went back in a few weeks ago and they, too, are beginning to get concerned. A urine test and blood work did not show any sugar or ketons and her thyroid levels were fine. Our family history does not include any obesity except for one aunt...a great-aunt for her who wrestled with being overweight from toddlerhood. Help! Any suggestions or recommendations medically? Can anyone suggest a good book on body image for a young child? Thanks!
Reply from Tammy, Child's Age 5 - 02/08/07 - IP#: 152.163.100.xxx Its very sad that we as parents aren't taken seriously when we finally approach the DR. with our concerns regaurding our childs weight. My son was 78lbs at age 4 and I insisted that the dr run every test imaginable, fortunately all was normal! the dr reacted the same as yours did, "he's a boy, he'll grow into it" Well, that wasn't good enough, I know I created the problem but I didn't know how to fix it so I went to a pediatric obesity specialist and she set up some rules with goals and rewards. I am so happy to say that my little guy has gained 3 lbs since September. (He has also grown 2 inches!) He still has a way to go but he is doing exceptional with exercise and "healthy eating" Debbie's post is all to familiar, we pack lunches and snacks - day care required letters from the dr and etc. ITS WORTH IT AND IT WORKS!! Best of luck to you and your child
Reply from tracey, Child's Age 12 - 12/26/06 - IP#: 199.38.51.xxx my reply was to Debbie from October/thank you so much for all you had to say about your 9 year daughter being overweight. I have a 12 year old daughter that eats as much as my partner and I put together at every meal-constantly. Her father and I have tried being nice and sensitive and stressing that if she is choosing to be heavy that we will love her unconditionally either way. But we have a health concern for her because diabetes runs on her fathers side of the family. All of us have tried stressing portion size and having her drink more water but no matter what we say or how we say it she doesnt change how she eats.she weighs 130 lbs now and I am honestly afraid that she will outgrow all of her Christmas clothes by June.I weighed at 19 what she weighs now at 12, so I am concerned since her sister is 10 and weighs only 50 lbs. I refuse to put a 12 year old on a diet because I think dieting is a personal choice however I get so upset when she cries because her clothes dont fit.any other suggestions that you or anyone else might have as to how to encourage her to lose some weight will be helpful.i will talk to her father about doing packed lunches instead of school lunches, though. All of the things you said debbie made me think about the things I can do with food in my pantry so thanks so much for that.
Reply from Debbie, Child's Age 9 - 10/12/06 - IP#: 206.154.58.xxx I have had the same problem with mine. We have eliminated juice, sugar drinks, as much junk as we can, for junk snacks, I buy the 100 cal. packs, and for school I send her lunch most days. We go over the monthly menu and see if there are particular favorites and she eats at school on those days, also I send her breakfast to daycare, as long as a doctor will state she needs a special diet the daycare should allow this, 1 day a week they have cinammon rolls and I let her have those. This way she doesn't feel deprived, at this point she isn't really losing BUT she hasn't gained anything in the last two months, which is a big change over the last several months. For her lunches I use delightful bread, low calorie, she loves bologna, so I buy the fat free oscar mayer one, she loves soup, I buy the progresso and lower fat ones, I invested in a bratz thermos to take hot foods, I make whole wheat pasta spaghetti for her, she usually takes a fruit cup, no sugar added applesauce, I buy the little bottles of water, also you can refill those with sf kool aid for a change once in awhile. I have ice packs for days with tuna, cottage cheese, yogurt type stuff. There is a whole lot of choices you can come up with for lunches and breakfast. I have even made some weight watchers and lean cuisine meals and put them in the thermos, the other kids won't be able to tell the difference. I buy the baked chips and put in ziploc bags. Best of luck, work with your doctor for suggestions and advice.
Reply from christy, Child's Age 18 - 10/11/06 - IP#: 71.208.210.xxx I have been in your shoes and can now see what I would have done differently! It is impossible to control your daughters food intake from the moment she enters school, however you can control her exercise, I would have taken my child on at least a 30min walk or bike ride EVERY day, 1. to help control weight, 2.to release brain chemicals that help eleviate depression, and 3. to help take the focus off of food and onto burning calories. God Bless
