OT-help! dr says 4 year old is overweight?

[memobrien]

Here is a good site where you can do the math yourself. You put in their stats, and it gives you their height and weight percentiles as well as their BMI and tells if the child is under weight, over weight or at a healthy weight. It gives you a wieght range that is healthy for their age and height and gender.

http://www.blubberbuster.com/height_weight.html

Did you all notice the big red warning that this isn't accurate if you are muscular. I think that is a very important note.

Honestly I think there is something wrong with this calculator. One of my best friends has struggled with her son being UNDERWEIGHT since he was 1. He is now almost 5. The doctor has him on a special diet to gain weight. Well according to this calculator he is on the border of being overweight.

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

Oh my gosh...you're 6 year old is smaller than my TWO year old was on our last trip!

I know she is a skinny Minnie! LOL! But all of my children are. My oldest son weighs the most at 49 lbs. He will be 9 on Feb. 3. We honestly do feed them I promise....they just have fast metabolisms like I do I think.

 

[squirrlygirl]

The calculator came out with the same numbers our pediatrician has. DS(6)has a BMI of 13.3, DD(5) has a BMI of 13.5, and DD(1) has a BMI of 13.3. We've always thought DD(5) was a bit heavy It's been determined that DH's genes are at fault--my oldest is overweight (and has a different dad and totally different build). We were told NOT to give them junk food to "fatten" them up. I've just made peace with folding and tacking waist bands so their pants stay up.

I don't think comparing children to other children is very accurate healthwise when there's an obesity epidemic.

To the OP I applaud your doctor for having the guts to tell you that your DD is overweight.

 

[shelly3girls]

I have a similar problem with two girls one who is thin the other who is on the verge of over weight. We always try to push fruits and veggies but she just doesn't like them. I made some switches in her eating which have made a big difference. She has gained about 1 lb. in 10 months which is getting her back into the normal range.

1. Instead of juice for the lunch box I buy flavored water (way less sugar)
2. Dietz and Watson lite hotdogs (60 calories, 1.5 grams of fat)
3. No juice just water or skim milk
4. low fat options of all snacks like granola bars, etc.
5. dip pancakes into syrup instead of pouring it on
6. at meals she gets one serving and a glass of water. If she wants more she has to wait 5 minutes. By then she is usually full.
7. turkey meatballs instead of regular (her favorite food and she didn't even notice the difference)

If I think of more I will let you know.
I also bought her a Wii for Christmas and justified it by saying she will get exercise doing DDR and some of the other active games. May not work but at least DH bought into it.

 

[brymolmom]

I just want to say that although I know a lot of the pp's are trying to get you not to be overly worried, I personaly would not ignore the word of your doctor (assuming you have a good relationship and trust his/her medical recommendations). Many people are saying 'she's fine' and that may be true, but if your doctor recommends something it means that he/she sees a problem OR a potential problem in the future so I, for one, would not take it lightly (which the OP doesn't seem to be doing since she's asking for advice to change things). Speaking as someone who has struggled with weight issues I think it would be the best gift to give your daughter to change her eating/exercising habits NOW rather than later.

Just wanted to say hang in there and work with your doctor to make the best choices for your kids.

 

[thepeach80]

I have to wonder if the DR didn't say something b/c they're twins and such different sizes. What would the DR have said if it was just one girl at a time vs a 'pair'? I'm constantly trying to remember to NOT compare my kids and I don't have twins, I just happen to have 1 child who is much smaller than my others. FTR my 4.5yo is about 41" and 42#, he's not overweight at all! This was him on his 4th birthday, about 39" and 41#. The BMI charts say that he is overweight, borderline obese.

My 3yo is 26.5# and 34.5" and has had problems w/ weight b/c of food allergies. Right now he's gluten free and we've seen some progress in his growth so we'll keep him on it. We try to keep their diets as alike as possible, but it's not always easy or possible. We do try to add olive oil to Evan's food when we can but he doesn't like chocolate or a lot of candy so he's easy, it's his brother that loves that and we watch him b/c he'll go overboard.

 

[dana1003]

I just want to say that although I know a lot of the pp's are trying to get you not to be overly worried, I personaly would not ignore the word of your doctor (assuming you have a good relationship and trust his/her medical recommendations). Many people are saying 'she's fine' and that may be true, but if your doctor recommends something it means that he/she sees a problem OR a potential problem in the future so I, for one, would not take it lightly (which the OP doesn't seem to be doing since she's asking for advice to change things). Speaking as someone who has struggled with weight issues I think it would be the best gift to give your daughter to change her eating/exercising habits NOW rather than later.

Just wanted to say hang in there and work with your doctor to make the best choices for your kids.

yes-i see allot of kids here that look similar to my dd-i am however making little changes(i am the OP)..im pushing more fruits and vegetables and i just started doing smoothies in place of the juice,- this way i can add bananas, etc. im getting allot of suggestions but your right i am not taking it lightly. i've never struggles w/weight-my husband does however so i have to assume she might go that route..thanks to all the great advice

 

[Cepbush106]

just wanted to say at my *2 year olds* appointment he was 39 inches and 38 lbs. The chart shows him at a normal weight for his height. He is very active and is pretty solid for a two year old... must come from football coach dad

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

For myself, being an overweight adult, food isn't my problem, its the drinks. So for my children (everything is hereditary) I water down their juice. I do about a 25/75 juice to water for them, and they are fine with it. Fruits and veggies are great, but for one meal make sure you get some protein in there like chicken or beef.

BTW - They are so cute, I can't believe there twins though! Funny how things work!

 

[dana1003]

yes very different..you'd think with them being so different i wouldnt be curious to have another girl but i am..and wow! 38 pds..i cant obsess anymore..i am paying closer attention to portion control...

 

[lclark0621]

Your girls are so cute!

My 4 year old DS ranges between 42-45 lbs, and his Ped says he is right on track for weight with his height.

ETA: In July my DS was 46 inches last check.

 

[KadysMom]

Honestly I think there is something wrong with this calculator. One of my best friends has struggled with her son being UNDERWEIGHT since he was 1. He is now almost 5. The doctor has him on a special diet to gain weight. Well according to this calculator he is on the border of being overweight.

The calculator said that DD6 was neither underweight or overweight. It said she was in the 17th percentile for weight and 19th for weight. That is just about where her Pedi put her. He said she was approx 25% for both. I think the calculator is just about correct. DD6 weights 39 1/2 pounds and is 44 inches tall.

 

[Gillian]

Go easy on the bananas. Try different berries, they are better for those of us who tend to gain. The thing that stands out to me about your earlier posts is that you seem to worry about the sweetness of things. They don't need artificial sweeteners or syrups, and will get used to the taste of things as they are. Eventually.

It's great that you're making some changes! I know how hard it can be. My 1st child was always small, and a boy, so we didn't worry too much about his diet. He also doesn't like juice and did fine with whatever we fed him. Then came DD and she would live in snack city if we'd let her! She loves everything sweet and crispy. She's solid, too.

One of my big goals this year is to get the kids eating better. It's hard, and more expensive, but worth it.

Something I learned from a friend - if you put out healthy snacks before the kids ask for food, they will eat them and not bug you for junk. It really works to cut up some fruit and put it near them, or to ask if they want a yogurt.

ETA: I don't have a current pic of my daughter, but she's also around 45 lbs. She's 45 inches I think, fairly tall. She has a full face, and is solid, but very lean.