Overweight kids

My daughter is 8 and in 3rd grade. I haven't put her on the scale in awhile because I don't want her to grow up thinking she is always to fat. Last time however she was about 82 pounds. My 11 year old daughter is only 68. Anyway yesterday my 8 year old went to put on a pair of shorts that she has worn earlier in the summer and they wouldn't fit. Both of my daughters are in the same size but now I'm worried that my 8 year is bigger. Any tips or suggestions on helping her lose some weight but not making her feel bad about herself? I'm thinking about having her walk with me. I also need to learn to tell her NO when she wants junk food. I went yesterday and bought a lot of fruits. I know I'm not a good role model as far as weight since I am big myself but I'm working on it and don't want this for my kids!
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  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    My niece is obese. She was bigger and bigger every time I went home to visit at 2 yr intervals. Her mother kept saying that her pediatrician said she was fine and very active. I'd see her walking around with bags of candy. I kept my mouth shut. Now I'm sorry I didn't speak up. She became very obese, depressed, had surgery and now is obese again. Her life is a mess.
  • hydechildcare
    hydechildcare Posts: 142 Member
    I was always bigger than my older sister growing up. I over took her when I was eight. I am also 10 inches taller than her. I didn't become overweight until I was a teen with a car. First thing to start would be taking away the junk foods. Maybe not eliminate them completely because when they get out that is the first thing they will want but make it a treat. I don't drink pop often. Mostly only at my grandpa's. When I was a kid every Friday grandpa would come over for movie night and we would get pop. Or you could try buying less each shopping trip and when you are out you are out. She will learn she needs to spread the junk through the week. I had a friend whose parents would not keep junk food in the house. Every thing was home made no chips, pop, candy, or heat up in the microwave foods. We lived together for a year after moving out of our parents house. I could not get him to eat a home cooked meal. His diet consist of frozen pizza, McDonald, chips, pop, and other junk. Teach moderation. Try family bonding time by taking walks in the evenings or going out side a kicking a ball around. Good luck.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,972 Member
    FYI. For next time Multiple posting of the same topic is frowned upon on the sites.
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  • jasummers76
    jasummers76 Posts: 225 Member
    I would take her in for a "check up" they automatically weigh them and get their height. Don't tell her she is being taken in for her weight. As a kid who was put on diets it is the worst feeling. Keep as much junk food as possible out of the house. I understand if she takes her lunch to school to have a treat just make sure they are kept in a place that she isn't eating them after school as a snack. Set aside a evening or weekend date with her for a movie night and give her a little something sweet for your date night. Taking everything away is not going to work, I would go to my friend's house and just go to town on their snacks.

    I am sure at this point she may have been teased about her weight. It only gets worse the older they get. Middle School was the worse, kids lived to make my day hell. I am glad you're tackling this issue now. But like I said don't let her know she is on a diet. Just shop smarter.
  • Sarahb29
    Sarahb29 Posts: 952 Member
    edited October 2017
    Keep junk food out of the house and only buy things in single servings (like one ice cream cone) as a treat after a busy day. Don't talk about diets, just change what you're all eating. Tons of yummy slow cooker recipes and kids will never overeat on veggies or rice. Don't make it seem like a diet.

    No pop tarts, no sodas, little juice, NO cereals, nothing sugary. It will help if you all do it together and call it something fun, like a challenge. Who can skip the fastest, who can do more skips than the other, who can jog the fastest to the tree, that sort of thing.

    Also, don't be afraid of the scale. My daughter uses mine and I use it only to make sure she's gaining enough weight. It's only used for positive reinforcement - ie "wow look at you, you're growing! 38lbs way to go!".
  • jasummers76
    jasummers76 Posts: 225 Member
    Whatever you do, do it for both kids! She'll definitely notice if she's the only one asked to go on walks, or who has to limit the junk food.

    Talk to both of them about:
    • healthy, not "thin".
    • nutrients and energy, not calories.
    • the importance of not over eating,
    • don't eat when bored, or sad,
    • stop eating before you are stuffed,
    • don't stuff yourself because a food is good, you can always have more later,
    • "Treat" foods are "sometimes" foods. We don't have them every day, and we don't have them multiple times a day, but "sometimes" is fine.

    Increase her activity. Sign them up for sports, get them roller skates, bikes, etc. Increase activity as a family, walks, bike rides, hikes. Limit sedentary time.

    And don't worry about her "losing weight". She's still growing. We want her to "grow into" her weight, not lose weight.

    This is great advice. My 12 year old is allergic to nuts both eaten and airborne dust from any nut. We decided as a family we will all be nut free.