6 year old on a diet?

[dustysky]

Would you put your 6 year old on a diet if you thought she was getting "chunky"??

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

i don't think it's a "bad" thing. eating healthy is a good thing for anyone to start doing.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I wouldn't put my child on a "diet" per se... but I would make sure we were all eating healthy and eliminate all junk food except for the occasional treat.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Depends on how overweight he/she is. I would definitely encourage more exercise, and healthier foods.

If he/she is grossly overweight, then a pediatrician approved diet may be the answer.

 

[daisyduck123]

There are different types of diets.
I can totally see putting a "chunky" 6yo on a "no junk food diet"...healthy food only.

Any other kind of diet I would do with our doctor's supervision.

I teach 1st grade & you would not believe the junk that some of the heavier kids bring to school to eat. It's no wonder they look the way they do. It's really sad. Most of those kids have overweight parents.

 

[CEDmom]

Not a diet in the true sense of the word I'd just be more diligent about her eating healthy foods and watch fats, empty carbs etc. By doing that her height will likely catch up to her weight.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

I agree with the others and not put a child on a typical restrictive diet but maybe making healthier choices, limiting junk food and planning family activities like walking togther and playing out side together. Eat smart and Move more type plan

 

[MAKmom]

There are different types of diets.
I can totally see putting a "chunky" 6yo on a "no junk food diet"...healthy food only.

Any other kind of diet I would do with our doctor's supervision.

I teach 1st grade & you would not believe the junk that some of the heavier kids bring to school to eat. It's no wonder they look the way they do. It's really sad. Most of those kids have overweight parents.

I agree & junk food is almost any take-out, frozen premade foods & any food with trans fats in it.
Too much juice can be a problem.

 

[EthansMom]

Not a diet, but I would encourage him/her to excercise by signing him/her up for a sport or class (swim/karate/dance/etc.). Also, I'd cut down on the high-fat and high-sugar snacks as well as the fast food. I'd replace prepackaged snacks with fresh fruits and veggies.

If he/she eats relatively healthy and is active, I wouldn't worry about his/her body shape.

 

[dustysky]

Thanks, just to answer a bit, I am very overweight and need to change that because I do NOT want this for my kids.
My daughter is not out of controll, she is unfortunatly blessed with our height, I am 5'1 and her dad is 5'5 so she would be a little less "stout" if not so short.

One thing is that my daughter is gifted in gynastics, she can do a cart wheel and round of like you would not believe, along with a walk over. Along with healthy eating I have signed her back up for advanced class (gymnsatics) two night a week. It was a breaker on the walet but for her health I think it will be great.

Thanks for all the input

 

[hornedfrog]

I think my parents put me on Weight Watchers for the first time when I was in 2nd grade. It was put to me that I was now 'on a diet' and I had one of those fill in the bubble sheets each week that WW used to do back in the early 80's where you were allotted so many fruits, vegetables, starches, etc. and filled in a bubble each time you ate a portion. I had 'official weigh-ins' on Saturday mornings at home, complete with a wall chart.

In hindsight, I was not anywhere near 'overweight. I WAS in the 90th percentile for weight and the 99th+ in height (which made me proportionate - just a big kid).

But I didn't understand all of that. I just felt humiliated and belittled. I was the only 2nd grader who 'needed' a diet. My parents told my teacher...I guess she felt like she was being supportive, but she'd come see what I was having for lunch and comment on how it was so healthy or something like that. It just made me feel more singled-out and embarrassed.

Now that I am a parent, I make sure that my kids eat mostly healthy foods, but I am also teaching them how to handle junkfood (I gained many many pounds when I went to college because I was suddenly free to eat anything I wanted and had never learned how to have junk food in moderation).

If one of my kids starts becoming overweight, then we will exercise more. I will serve EVERYONE more veggies and protein and maybe smaller portions. I will do everything possible to never 'officially' put one of my kids on a diet where she feels singled out or different or ugly or gross. It can do a whole lot more harm than it does good...even if the extra weight is lost...

One of my girls started looking a little heavy in areas. We (all of us) switched from 2% to 1% milk. Between that and a new height growth spurt, she is now looking totally proportionate again. She never noticed a difference.

 

[FinallyBoughtDVC]

A Diet? How did the child get "chunky" in the first place? A child who is active and eats appropriate foods in properly sized portions wouldn't need to be on a diet.

Actually, even a chunky 6 year old doesn't need to be on a "diet" - all he/she really needs is a parent that cares enough to make sure that their food is healthy, freshly prepared and that the child is active - eliminate the "whites" - white bread, white rice, white potatoes, white pasta and all white flour, in addition to eliminating ALL fried foods and sugary drinks and you'll see the "chunkiness" turn into "healthiness" almost immediately.

That still leaves lots of yummy stuff to eat (yogurt, sushi, grilled chicken tenders, carrots, sorbet, whole wheat english muffin pizzas, and so on).

 

[dustysky]

A Diet? How did the child get "chunky" in the first place? A child who is active and eats appropriate foods in properly sized portions wouldn't need to be on a diet.

Actually, even a chunky 6 year old doesn't need to be on a "diet" - all he/she really needs is a parent that cares enough to make sure that their food is healthy, freshly prepared and that the child is active - eliminate the "whites" - white bread, white rice, white potatoes, white pasta and all white flour, in addition to eliminating ALL fried foods and sugary drinks and you'll see the "chunkiness" turn into "healthiness" almost immediately.

That still leaves lots of yummy stuff to eat (yogurt, sushi, grilled chicken tenders, carrots, sorbet, whole wheat english muffin pizzas, and so on).

I am all for changing with her to help but calling yogurt yummy is just not going to happen for me.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

That still leaves lots of yummy stuff to eat (yogurt, sushi, grilled chicken tenders, carrots, sorbet, whole wheat english muffin pizzas, and so on).

it's sad that "Good" food....rarely ever tastes "Good", isn't it?

 

[dustysky]

PLEASE do not be mean or rude but I wanted to post a picture of her so what I am saying is a bit more clear.
I can not say enouph that she is my life, the reason I breath and I love her with ALL my heart but I worry for her to not ever be like me.

 

[daisyduck123]

In all honesty, she is really cute.

 

[CEDmom]

I am all for changing with her to help but calling yogurt yummy is just not going to happen for me.

I happen to love yogurt but it'll never be as good as chocolate . I think your best bet is to make subtle changes. Instead of chips and dip try carrots or other veggies and a lowfat dip, baked tortilla chips and salsa are another great snack that kids would find fun. If your DD likes pasta the Barilla Plus is great (tastes just like regular) and has lots of fiber and protein.

If your DD likes sweets find some that are low sugar/low fat that she'll be happy with.

I think if you make it a family project to change your diet and physical activity she'll have much more success with it.

 

[dustysky]

In all honesty, she is really cute.

Thank you so much, people stop us all the time and comment on her. She was in the Hannah Anderrson catalog when she was 8 months old. But I just cant help worry. Loosing weight is very very hard and my stress these days is a huge part of my weight and eating.
I guess if I needed motivation SHE is it

 

[hornedfrog]

She looks to be on the heavier side of 'normal', but not really overweight. I'd think that all that would be needed would be to push the veggies and protein in the meal...cut back on the starches and sweets...get everyone moving a little bit more and she'd be fine. She doesn't have pounds upon pounds to lose...it shouldn't take a major effort. But I do think it will take a little effort on EVERYONE'S part to do it in the best manner possible. Stop serving bread/rolls with dinner. If you have sandwiches, use 1 piece of whole wheat bread for everyone and load up the sandwich with good stuff in the middle. If you have to have chips, get the baked kind and then say that the kids can have 1 chip per year old that they are or something like that. If you normally serve a sweet dessert or have a sweet treat as a 'bedtime snack', make it fruit of some sort (but dress it up a little...either by making a fruit-kabob - fruit on a kabob stuck - or by putting a little itty-bitty bit of whipped cream on the top...those are my two big go-to's to make fruit a treat).

Not major changes...but over time, if portions are served correctly, it should be enough to set the stage for a healthy, perfectly average (as far as weight goes!) child...

 

[Southern4sure]

Frist off, you have a beautiful daughter!

I buy gogurts and freeze them. My kids eat them like ice cream and they stay cold in their lunches. My kids have gotten into the sugar free powders you put in bottled water....those are really good.

I would not use the work "diet' in front of your daughter for fear of her need to diet the rest of her life. Encourage fresh veggies and fruits and by doing that it means you eating it too! Go for bike rides after school or early evenings, it not only is healthy exercise but you have quality time together.

There are changes you can make now while your daughter is still to young to know why. Start small though and work in more healthy options. Too much at one time can be overwhelming for anyone.

Good Luck!