How young is too young?

JulieO829

Just curious... how young is too young be concerned about your weight and body image and to count calories? How young is it to be considered "unhealthy" to do so?

rockerbabyy

i think being healthy is a legit concern for people of any age. as far as calorie counting goes, i dont really know if theres an age limit. i think if one is in a healthy weight range and their doctor isnt concerned there may not be a need to count calories. just eating healthy in general and staying active is enough for most young people

jenlarz

I would say it depends on what you are like already, lots of young people can eat anything and be fine, but on the other hand childhood obesity is out of control and kids learning to eat healthy is great. Developing habits young is great. Self esteem and self image are important, but they need to be based on more than size

JulieO829

You both have very interesting points. I'm just curious on different people's views on if it's unhealthy for young people to be really concerned about their weight (and by young I mean in high school). Sometimes I'm just afraid I'm becoming to obsessive with it and that I'm too hard on myself.

Chagama

Health is always good to be concerned about. In terms of weight loss, what we've heard regarding our kids is that while they are still growing they shouldn't be trying to lost weight, but should focus on maintaining. As they grow they thin out.

Wisemomoffour

I have a fourteen year old daughter that is heavier than she should be...I don't talk to her about dieting but she sees me reading labels and exercising. I encourage all my kids (the others are at a healthy weight) to be active and be aware of portion size--especially when eating junk food. I don't think I would let her track her calories like this yet, but I don't think she is too young to talk about healthy living.

Dgwells29

Knowing what I know now, I think we should start teaching kids healthy eating at a young age.

My mom was from the south and she cooked southern style with lard, fat back and sugar syrup, really sweet tea, cakes, pies etc.

Then she would call me fat and punish me for being overweight when she was the person who did it to me.

Teach and support, don't criticize.

MountainMia

It's never to young to be concerned about your health. But my opinion is that it matters more about the intensity of the concern and if it is legit. Sometimes people think they have weight problems when it's just body image problems.

My daughter is 6 and she is getting a bit of a chunk belly. She knows it's there but doesn't see it as a problem. I'm really trying to keep it that way. She knows I have one too and that I don't hate it, but am working to make it smaller so it doesn't slow me down or make me uncomfortable in my pants. She sees me making healthy changes and is curious. I teach her about healthy food choices and why I pick some things over others and why I don't always make the same choices.

I wouldn't put her on MFP, but a high school kid struggling with their weight could benefit from keeping track just like the rest of us. It would have to be their choice though, and as a parent, I would "friend" them to see what they are up to to make sure they aren't too heavily invested in opinions and misinformation on the forums.

dancingincircles84

I know that when I was 14 I was far to concerned with my weight and the size of my hips and thighs and that I didn't realize I was just getting bigger because I was growing. Being healthy is one thing, but if I tracked calories back then I probably would have developed an eating disorder.

ratherbeskiing

I work in a hospital with kids with developmental disabilities. We put a lot of kids on a "low fat diet." It is amazing what qualifies- hot dogs- french fries because they are baked chicken nuggets- same reason. I guess they are better then somethings and they are kid friendly food but we have kids that are 8 and 9 over weight and on this diet. They don't understand they just know that they are on it and we chose their food if they can't make smart choices. I feel bad but what am I going to do. It is also frustrating because you know that when they go home they are going to go back to eating junk....

Yvonnelaycock

If you are concerned that you are becoming obsessed, you could talk to your doctor to find out first of all, if you are in a healthy weight range. If you are, then counting calories in high school is likely too much. IF you are only trying to maintain your weight, and making healthier choices...it doesn't seem too bad to me. Eating disorders are no joke, though...so find out from a professional if you should be concerned with the weight....or the obsession.

shady1987dre

Just curious... how young is too young be concerned about your weight and body image and to count calories? How young is it to be considered "unhealthy" to do so?

There is no age in my option, its something you should be worried about from the day you are born to you die.

Sarahmeridith

I believe that it is very bad for young girls (non adult age) to be concerned about weight at all, this can lead to nothing but body image issues and low selfesteem. But I think at any age its ok the be concerned and educated about health. For example a high schooler who plays sports needs to understadn it is important to eat enough and the proper foods for energy. I think everyone should be taught nutrition as a child because there is way too much false information adn way to many of us who even as adults were unaware just how bad we were being to our bodies.

amykathleen2005

I used to teach children nutrition and physical education through an AmeriCorps program for kids ages 5-13. The way we approached it was through teaching about how different nutrition choices keep you healthy. Like whole grains have all the good nutrients and fiber and they help you poop. Or that eating a rainbow of fruits and veggies is good for your health and can help your skin, eyes, organs, etc. Just showing what is a healthier choice can help as well. Like at McDonald's a plain burger might be an okay choice and you can pair it with apples and some low fat milk. We used the Go, Slow, Whoa system where Go's you can eat as much as you want of, Slow needs to be only a few times a day and Whoa is a special treat. You don't need to bring up a child's weight if you feel it would be too sensitive a topic, but you can teach about why different foods are health choices and how they can help you to grow up strong and healthy.

Teaching now about healthy habits means that kids won't have to break these bad habits when they are in college and realize they have a serious weight issue.

Here is a link to the program I taught and the 12 lesson curriculum with healthy snack ideas if you want to use it as a resource.
http://www.childrenshungeralliance.org/ANE/foodfolks.php

rjt1000

Just curious... how young is too young be concerned about your weight and body image and to count calories? How young is it to be considered "unhealthy" to do so?

I'm starting to quietly encourage my 11 year old to be more health aware. I'm getting her to go to the gym with me at times and finding out what type of exercises she enjoys. Kids don't have the opportunities to play/exercise outdoors the same as when I was a kid. When I was 11, I got home from school, grabbed something to eat and then was outside doing somethign with friends until called in for dinner. And often back out again after dinner until too dark to see. On weekends, I was NEVER inside except on the worst winter days.

Heatherjg0419

JulieO... you're a female... so the answer is yes, you're probably being too hard on yourself. :-)

That being said, it's never too early to learn how to eat healthily, make sure you exercise, etc. Make sure you're seeing a doctor on a regular basis ... there are warning signs for when paying attention to being healthy crosses over into the eating disorder area.

I'd recommend finding those warning signs(google search, but make sure it's from a credible source), talk to a doctor about your goals and whether they're healthy and whether you're concerned or obsessed.

And give yourself a break ... remember that beautiful people come in all shapes and sizes... and it's important that you're healthy. P.S. your pic shows me a beautiful young lady. Hope you see that, too.

Good luck.

dumb_blondes_rock

In a kid's mind, it shouldnt' be"oh how many calories am i eating today" it should be "ok I had a slice of chocolate cake, which means i need to get outside and move around to burn it off". Kid's are growing, so i think putting a certain number on how much someone takes in is a bit much, just they need to take in good calories, not chips, soda, candy.....and if they do want to eat those things they need to know that they have to exercise to burn it off. I'm not a mom, but if i was thats how i would raise my children. Teens are always going to have body issues, especially females ones, but if there is a true overweight problem, then they should join a sports team or work out with friends or even their family and "watch" what they eat, but not necissarily take a count of every calorie they take in.

msjessae

too young: when you haven't hit puberty yet (at least I think so anyway)
I find it sad when little girls think too much about their self image.

Aerohead21

I agree about teaching it early. I think you also have to factor in family history. For example, my cousin's husband has Type 1 diabetes that he has had since he was ten. My cousin feeds their daughter junk. She is 5 and already overweight so her pediatrician put her on a diet. They don't call it a diet and they don't tell her she is overweight but they really started cracking down on what foods and how much she is eating.

I think it is irresponsible to feed your kids poorly and not teach them to appreciate a healthy lifestyle. I also think, unfortunately, as a society, between the lack of nutritional education and inundation/reward system behind junk food (come on, what kid doesn't want the kid's meal when you get a toy), we are in a downward spiral.

That is the number 1 reason I began this journey. My 2 yr old doesn't need to struggle like I did as a kid.

AshJasper

Just curious... how young is too young be concerned about your weight and body image and to count calories? How young is it to be considered "unhealthy" to do so?

There is no age in my option, its something you should be worried about from the day you are born to you die.

I completely disagree. this is the kind of attitude that creates eating disorders. a three year old should not be concerned about their weight or body image, and neither should a teenager. im not saying you shouldn't eat healthy and be active. but you certainly should not obsesses about it. unless your extremely over weight to where is inst healthy and you are becoming pre diabetic, and even then you shouldn't obsess, just be aware. im nineteen and I don't like my body. but I don't obsess and I don't wrap my entire life around being skinny. I now eat healthier and work out often, but It's mostly so I'm healthy.

jennday1

My niece is only 9 but she is obese. She is already very self conscious about her weight and has been trying to lose it. I would say if the child is old enough to make the decision to lose weight AND they are at an unhealthy weight then teach them the right way to do it. Teach them healthy eating and exercise. My kids are both a healthy weight but they are much more active than my niece. It makes me sad that she is already worrying about this sort of thing, but what can I do...she isn't my child.

lakebreeze1

I think young people are beginning to worry too much about their weight. Some young people that don't even have a weight problem worries about it. You need to enjoy your young life without that kind of worry. If a teenager gets the proper exercise and chooses healthy meals, I don't think most teens would have a weight problem. Your matabolism is so good at that age. I don't think anyone, young or old, should let themselves get too large because it isn't healthy. It is so hard to lose weight and is the hardest thing I have ever tried to do. I didn't make those healthy choices, LOL, however, I do now. Eat fruit instead of sugar and maybe you will never have a weight problem. I don't believe in letting our weight become an obsession. It is all about getting healthy and making the right food choices and most of the time our weight will fall in place to where it should be.

AshJasper

I think young people are beginning to worry too much about their weight. Some young people that don't even have a weight problem worries about it. You need to enjoy your young life without that kind of worry. If a teenager gets the proper exercise and chooses healthy meals, I don't think most teens would have a weight problem. Your matabolism is so good at that age. I don't think anyone, young or old, should let themselves get too large because it isn't healthy. It is so hard to lose weight and is the hardest thing I have ever tried to do. I didn't make those healthy choices, LOL, however, I do now. Eat fruit instead of sugar and I don't think at your age you will ever have to worry about it. I don't believe in letting our weight become an obsession. It is all about getting healthy and making the right food choices and most of the time our weight will fall in place to where it should be.

^^ this

ashnm88

They say young people can eat whatever they want and be fine, but not always the case. Healthy eating and moderation are key for any again.

Kenzietea2

I don't think there is such thing as too young to understand healthy foods, but to be worrying about weight and what your body looks like, there is an age that is 'too young'... I just don't know what that age is. All I know when I was in high school and was a size 4/6, and thinking I was fat, that's not a healthy mindset.

dbrightwell1270

I think there may be an underlying question here that is how young is too young to be obsessing about your weight and body image, which I would say is very very different from how young is too young to be worried about being healthy and doing what it takes to be healthy. I would say any age is too young to be obsessive about weight and body image. I don't think you an ever be too young to focus on eating right, exercising and achieving muscle balance. If you do those things, the scale will take care of itself.

Aliciaaah

My mom signed me and my brother up for LA Weight Loss (similar to weight watchers, I think) when I was 17 and he was 14. She's always pressured me to lose weight. I always wanted to lose weight but never wanted to try, and she never helped. When I was about 14 she told me if I lost 20 lbs she would buy me crop tops and get my bellybutton pierced. Looking back, I was never even that big! When she signed me up for LA weight loss I clocked in at 179. I would KILL to be that now, at 214.

I don't know if there is an age that's too young, as long as the focus is on being healthy, not being skinny. And as long as it's what they want, without any pressure. It's a good quality to be conscientious.

Rhea30

You both have very interesting points. I'm just curious on different people's views on if it's unhealthy for young people to be really concerned about their weight (and by young I mean in high school). Sometimes I'm just afraid I'm becoming to obsessive with it and that I'm too hard on myself.

Its not unhealthy to be concern with weight unless you are doing things which are unhealthy for your weight. It is always good to be concern with your health no matter what age and that is what you should focus on is just being healthy. If you're being healthy then you're weight will most likely reflect that.

Weezieishness

I think that any child or teenager worrying about weight and size is unhealthy. As long as they are still living with parents/caregivers, then it is their responsibility to make sure the kids/teenagers eat healthy and exercise, and that they know how and why to eat healthily so that they will when not at home too.

I'm not saying if they become overweight it's the parents fault as such, but it is their responsibility to help them do something about it without affecting their self-esteem and body image.

I started becoming overweight when I was 9 years old. At the time my Mum was constantly going from diet to diet, trying different things every couple of weeks and then giving up. I was growing, and when I outgrew some of my clothes my Mother scolded and nagged me that I was getting fat and needed to diet, but gave me no help in choosing better foods or in trying to exercise more. As a result, I just became obsessed with weight, thought I was extremely obese and ugly even though I was still a healthy weight at that point, and tried to 'diet' by not eating my lunch at school, getting extremely hungry and tired, and even binging, which made me gain weight and eventually I actually was overweight. I had no idea about nutrition or health at that age.

Rhea30

They say young people can eat whatever they want and be fine, but not always the case. Healthy eating and moderation are key for any again.

I wish I was one of those young people when I was young!

recriger

This is where I want to say things like "kids shouldn't have to think about those things.". Of course i hate the word "should". I prefer the 3 step thought process.

What do you want it to be?
What can you do to achieve that?
What have you done to achieve that?

Of course that doesn't address the question. In todays world where we aren't as active, and our kids aren't as active, we need the nutritional knowledge. I remember the 4 food group lectures way back in grade school, so I know we were taught something about how to eat right. So i would hope that it is still adressed today. So yes, I don' t think there is a minimum age to learn how to track what you eat any more. the problem becomes, as someone mentioned earlier, who is going to watch and tell a kid if they have gone too far? i used to work in a highschool. Fairly wealthy neighborhood. It was the kind of place where the houses were 400-500 grand, but if you ever went inside they would have camping furniture.

Anyway, I remember one instance where one of the teachers aides (para), a great lady in her mid sixties, took a young lady aside to talk to her about being WAY too skinny. I mean knees wider than her thighs skinny, and still working out every night. Well the next day she was walked out of the building. Luckily she was near retiring anyway. The girls parents threatened the principal with a lawsuit over the conversation. A "how dare she" kind of thing.

That is what makes the entire subject very difficult. I've heard a lot of "someone should say something.". Well who wants to get mixed up in a lawsuit for trying to help. In some ways we have come to that.