From Jenny, Child's Age 13 - 09/15/13 - IP#: 24.149.107.xxx Click here to reply
Hi, I have three children, a son and two daughters. The two daughters are identical twins but they don't look very identical anymore. Emily never wants to eat and she has lost weight. But her sister Alexis has gained a lot of weight and is obese. I'm pretty sure Alexis is eating Emilys' food for her too. I'm scared to put Alexis on a diet. Emily is anorexic and I'm afraid if I push Alexis, she might end up the same way. I know it's usually best for the whole family to work together to help the overweight child, but my husband and I are healthy, are son is healthy and eats a lot to gain muscle. I can't exactly say no to Alexis and yes to Jake and Emily. And sometimes, I'll admit, I use extra butter or something so that however few bites Emily eats, will be more, but it's piling on Alexis mostly. Alexis has had to get all new clothes. She hangs out with friends who are also overweight. I catch her in the kitchen at night sometimes eating food. I found a box of candy bars under her bed once. And I'm really afraid for her health. The doctor said she is obese. He said her health will decline if she doesn't lose weight. I don't know how to help her. I don't want her to go the other direction like her sister, but I don't want her to stay on this path.
Reply from Jennifer, Age 11 - 12/19/13 - IP#: 74.44.30.xxx My best advice is to work out with Alexis. I wouldn't recommend doing it with the whole family though, I know that would embarrass me and it would most likely embarrass her too. I suggest taking walks with her, because it's not intense and it's not very hard. Also, get Emily and ALexis into a room together with them and talk to them. Tell Emily that you are very worried about her. She is already very thin, and that she doesn't need to keep losing weight. Tell Alexis that you are also worried about her, and even you want her to be happy, but that she does need to work on her eating habits. And instead of punishing her when she eats junk food, reward her when she eats appropriate portions of healthy food. I would also suggest taking out junk food until Alexis loses a little weight. It will be good for the whole family, even Emily, believe me. I seriously doubt that Alexis will be anexoric, but she will be if you call her fat and other things like that. You have to be gentle. I know that I am only 11 years old but I know how kids work, and at one point I was anexoric too. Good luck!
Reply from Michael, Age 18 - 09/23/13 - IP#: 68.191.108.xxx Stop using extra butter on Emily's food if Alexis is eating her sister's food. That extra butter is only making Alexis fatter and clogging up her arteries.
