Question is about my 7 year old daughter who weighs 80lbs

124»

Replies

  • missomgitsica
    missomgitsica Posts: 496 Member
    Definitely talk to a doctor about it. Regardless of how embarrassing it might be if you take charge of this kind of stuff now it'll be better in the long run. My younger sister started getting chubby as a kid and my parents just wrote it off and assumed she'd lose the baby weight . . . now she's 21 and morbidly obese and won't do anything about it.
  • nicola1141
    nicola1141 Posts: 613 Member
    One thing I notice in your posts is that you seem to be extremely hesitant to discuss this with your daughter herself. I am NOT in any way suggesting you have the "You may be overweight, how do we rectify this" conversation at all. I don't think it should be a "weight" conversation, but you should definitely be having the "health" conversation with her. She is old enough to understand what is healthy food, what is not. She is old enough to know what the rules are about eating healthy and not. You can set those rules and be firm about them.

    So if you're telling her not to eat other kids' foods, it doesn't have to be about the other mom packing the lunch. You shouldn't skirt around the issue - you should actually address the issue. It should be "I packed your lunch for you, if that is not enough for you, let me know and we will adjust your lunch. But we need to make sure we're all eating healthy food and as your mother I want to know what you're eating in a day." I think you can have the conversation (and you should be) without making it a "you're fat" conversation!
  • specialsnowflake
    specialsnowflake Posts: 4
    With my kids I have tried to make it more about listening to their bodies than about just restriction. When we're having meals I tell them that once they are no longer hungry they should stop eating. I don't make them clean their plates. If they have eaten what I feel is enough and still say they're hungry I will tell them to have a glass of water and wait 20 minutes. If they're still hungry after 20 minutes I will gladly provide them with more food but 90% of the time their bodies will register that they're full and they no longer want the extra portions. I also never let my kids eat in front of a screen. Good luck! You're a good mama for trying to nip this in the bud in a way that is healthy physically and emotionally for your child!
  • Momjogger
    Momjogger Posts: 750 Member
    Have only healthy snacks in the house. Give her whatever she wants to eat but in small amounts. Take her to your doctor to get advice.
  • Sreneesa
    Sreneesa Posts: 1,170 Member
    Well honestly, if all she wants to do is eat, you're the parent. Tell her no, she does not need a snack right now. Offer her healthy things for meals and snacks. I know you can't do it all when she's in school and all, but try packing her lunch for her? My 4 year old is 50 lbs and very tall for her age--46 inches, eats like a bird. She's a junk food junkie too and if she had it her way, she'd eat cookies and ice cream 24/7, but I tell her no and she's been slowly coming around because she knows I won't give in. I totally get it's not easy. I just stopped getting any junk food in the house when we go shopping so it's not in sight. She only sees the fruits and veggies in the fridge. I also tried to get her some ranch dip for the veggies and she's been eating them with a little less hassle. Luckily my 3 year old eats anything I put in front of her, but my oldest is a trip.


    When raising my daughter I never allowed her to eat whenever she wanted. I was firm about snacking just to snack. She could have seconds at dinner but I always had a portion fit for someone her age. Didn't allow sugary candies until she was around five or so. She always asked me first before going into the fridge to have a snack or something to eat. I didn't have high sugar things in my home. I never was into candy, chips, etc so that wasn't a problem. She was always was active in sports; track, basketball, football from the age 6 on up. Always outside playing with friends. I made it this way because I'm the parent.

    It starts with the parents. Ive seen way too many kids have weight issues as a child and now they are teenagers and have the same issues.

    It will be hard at first but consistency is the key.
  • heidicalif
    heidicalif Posts: 114 Member
    Also another question is maybe getting her allergy tested a good idea...my husband has food senstivitys his mother also has wheat issues...could this be maybe a reason for weight?

    and also what should I do to address constant hunger. She seriously would match how much my husband eats (he's 6'2) in one sitting if allowed.

    Yes. She could have Celiac. It's determined by a simple blood test.

    I wish it was that simple. Blood tests are just the first step and are especially inaccurate with children. Celiac can only be diagnosed with an intestinal biopsy.
  • latinlil
    latinlil Posts: 7 Member
    I can't help but chime in just to say that if you talk with her pediatrician, try to do it out of earshot of her.

    My friends' kids are big eaters and their BMI tested high so she had legitimate concerns, and one of her pediatricians was very positive, but also didn't label the kids in front of them. Her second pediatrician called her daughter, "chubby" in front of her, and her daughter asked her later if she was chubby, so she's already taken that label into her psyche. Uncool.
  • Zoejohnse91
    Zoejohnse91 Posts: 227 Member
    Join her up to a class? Like Boxing or something? Exercise is good no matter what :)

Categories