How to talk to a child about their weight???

[HERSEY]

MY DS is in the same situation. I started with a trip to his DR who sent us to a Dietican. We discovered the foods he was eating had a lot to contribute to his problem. The Dietican said kids need to drink less juice too many calories and eat their fruit, drank alot of juice and milk. We swiched to skim milk. He too is active. He also is fighting genitics so he has to exercise more to lose. Try to help her keep a positive self attitude this will help in the long run.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My question was more in regards to how to answer her when she wants to know why we stopped going to fast food rests and why all of a sudden she can't have sweets and junk so much.

You throw the question back and say well what does mom or dad say about it? Then have her talk. Works like a charm.

 

[Christine]

However, my niece is very active. She is enrolled in tap, ballet, gymnastics and soccer. She plays outside alot and can ride her bike. I understand we should NEVER tell her she needs to lose weight. My question was more in regards to how to answer her when she wants to know why we stopped going to fast food rests and why all of a sudden she can't have sweets and junk so much. Since she is already aware of her size thru comments made at school, I feel like she knows the reason why without it being said. I have read so much about children growing up to be anorexic and such that I am really concerned. Her mother is very supportive of trying to help her. Like I said, I suggested better meals and less junk snacks at home and her mom is trying really hard to do that. It is difficult as she has lots of little friends that are smaller and when she is at their house for sleepovers or just visiting, it is hard to control what they eat. There is also a little brother that is 2 in the house that wants the good stuff too, however, I know it is better for him not to eat so much junk either.

I guess the best thing to tell her is that they are stopping the junk food because it is bad for your heart. I've talked with my son (who is 10) about heart disease and, especially, diabetes. My son does not have a weight problem, but I feel he eats or wants to eat way too much of the processed food, sodas, and junk. Rather than even discuss weight, I talk about diabetese, what it is, and how adult-onset diabetes is "exploding" in children. This is because of all the processed food and junk food. Maybe her mother could put it in those terms OR her mother could say that the fast food is making her, the mother, unhealthy, so the WHOLE family needs to chip in. As for the 2 year old, it's not too late to wean him off the stuff. After a few weeks, he will forget about it if it is not in the house. You would be very surprised how well you can work with a younger child. When my son was about 9 months old, we found out he had a peanut and egg allergy. As you can imagine, this ruled out just about EVERYTHING junk food for him. No cakes, cookies, chocolates, etc. If he did get something, it was a specialty item that I had to make. Up until he was about 4 or 5, he really didn't have the "need" for junk like my older child did. In a way, the allergies really helped him to be a healthier person. But, of course, his egg allergy went away and foods are labeled so much better now that I can give him more junk (and I do). It is amazing how fast he turned into an "addict."

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

The reason I said stop going to Fast Food so much is because the kids ask to go all the time. I agree the entire family needs to change their habits, but unfortunately the father doesn't see it that way. What do you tell her when she asks for candy and cake, etc? Her Mom told her they were all going to start eating healthier, but she just crys for junk food.

If the entire family's not onboard then it's going to be a losing battle regardless of what anyone does. I do not get how some people can not understand that eating healthier would be so much better for the family's overall well being.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I'd talk to the mom about it, not the child. Knock off the junk food, fast food, and get her outside! I remember when I was a kid, we weren't allowed to be sitting around the house. We were chased outside every day! And I was the one with the weight problem at that age. Take her out to a playground somewhere and let her loose.

Darling son was on the heavy side until he hit middle school. This kid is sooooooo skinny now! Went to the pediatrician this week, and he's officially my height! He can eat, but he's apparently burning it off.