I think it's a success story

Buttsmom

Not your typical weight loss success story, but a success none the less I think. My 6 yr old niece spends a lot of time with me. We went out to eat right before Christmas and the kids menu at IHOP had the calorie count on the kids menu, her and her 8 yr old brother were competing to see who could eat the most calories. I explained to them that you don't want the most calories and how eating the most calories can make you fat. Also spending time with me she knows I exercise everyday to help with the calories I eat. Tonight I picked her up and she said she has been exercising every day since I seen her. As soon as she got here she wanted to know what I had to exercise with so she can burn some calories from supper When she was done on the mini trampoline she went to get a mint out and checked the calories on it. She said " I always check my calories, but sometimes Mommy and Daddy make food for me and I don't know what calories they put in it" I thought that was too cute. She is no needs to watch her calories or exercise for weight loss right now, but I think it's a good thing to get her started on being more healthy because one set of her grandparents both weigh in the 400 lb range.

ina1975

awesome

Being a good example is the best parenting skill in the world

TattooedMommy427

How sad!!! A 6 year old shouldnt stress over calories and exercise! Being healthy and active is one thing, but this poor girl is probably going to end up with an eating disorder if you dont tell her its about being healthy and active, not counting calories and exercise.

6Janelle13

It is good that you are there to teach her to be aware of food and not to allow her to be misguided with food. It is also wonderful that she is aware and willing to learn about it and continue to be healthy through exercise. Just keep in mind that she is very young and this type of concern ,could be something that could turn into obsessive behavior later. If she is being balanced and healthy that is GREAT especially if the family history is struggling with weight, however be diligent in her teenage years for signs of disordered eating.
Kids are never too young to learn to be healthy but a 6 year counting calories herself is a little much. I'd be happy with teaching her to exercise and how to enjoy fruits and veggies. she has plenty of time to learn all the diet details later.

ina1975

I think in this day and age, where childhood obesity has hit an all time high, we should start food and health education as early as possiable. I understand what you guys are saying about "obsessively" counting calories at a young age, but it sounds like she just learned how and it applying it right now. I wish I had learned earlier...i'm 35 and this is the first time i'm keeping tract.

Buttsmom

I understand about worrying once she becomes a teen, but it is in no way a problem now. She isn't counting calories like we do and keeping track all day, she just reads the calories on packages. The exercise comes from me, but also from school. Tonight she has been showing me the exercises they do in school.

mmtiernan

I also have to voice my concern about teaching a young child to focus on calories in/out - I agree that it could lead to negative behavior.

However, I absolutely agree with teaching children about what is in their food and how to pay attention to the nutritional factors. Teaching them at a young age how to read a nutritional label to learn what is a correct portion size, moderating sodium intake, looking out for bad fats and sugars in the ingredients list, etc.

If, instead of focusing on the fact that eating too many calories can cause you to gain fat, the focus was instead placed on which foods give you the most nutritional bang for the calories, it would be a far better conversation and skill for the kids to learn.

Big kudos for making the kids aware of what is in their food!

Extra big kudos for making the kids aware that exercise is important!!

Couple all of that with some nutrition training and they will be some very healthy, smart kids indeed!