overweight child

[tinkamom]

Does anyone know of a good weight loss program for children? DD12 has always been overweight, infact when she was 2 months old her pediatrition told me she was at risk for obesity! I thought he was nuts because I was breastfeeding her! She has always been off the growth charts, literally. I've been working hard to get her weight under controll ever since she was 2 years old!

About a year and a half ago she did weight watchers and did well but then started to resent it and started gaining weight again. I stopped bringing her because WW said maybe she needed a break. (I wish I could go back in time!) Well she has gained almost 60lbs since then!

BTW, she is very active!

 

[lovinaz]

I would talk to your doctor about this. There may be something medical that is causing her to gain so much weight. And perhaps the Dr can recommend a nutritionist that can help her lose weight in the healthiest and safest way. Also, does she participate in any sports or dance or anything like that? Good luck to you, I hope you find something that will turn things around and help her develop a healthy lifestyle she can live with.

 

[PaulaSue]

That is my biggeset fear for my DDs. I SO don't want them to be like me. Thankfully one is built like DH but still it worries me since they are with me all the time. I try not to obsess but it is on my mind often.

Talk to the doctor and I am interested in what they suggest.

I have been trying to exercise more and when I walk the treadmill I usually send them out to play (I am at the door watching the whole time.) They usually want to go with me when I walk outside but can't keep up and it frustrates me since I am trying to get my heart rate up. When it gets cooler I think I will get their bikes and go to the park. My girls are 3,5,and 7 years.

 

[tinkamom]

I would talk to your doctor about this. There may be something medical that is causing her to gain so much weight. And perhaps the Dr can recommend a nutritionist that can help her lose weight in the healthiest and safest way. Also, does she participate in any sports or dance or anything like that? Good luck to you, I hope you find something that will turn things around and help her develop a healthy lifestyle she can live with.

I have spoken to DD's doctor in the past and will speak to him again next week when she goes for her physical. I expressed my concern to him that she eats better than the average child, I rarely buy junk food or processed or fast food, yet still gains weight! His response was to give her 1/2 of an apple instead of the whole apple. I'm not sure he really believes me! I want to go to him with some sort of a plan.

We did go to a nutritionist once and she told me to feed her more!

DD is very active in Dance, she had been involved in a trainee dance program that entailed 2 1/2 to 4 hours of dance training 3-5 days a week depending on what performances they were having! She changed dance schools last year and is "only" taking 5 dance classes! She also plays Dance revolution at home a lot.

Over the summer we have advanced swimming lessons everyday for an hour! Something is just not right! This has been a battle I've been fighting most of her life! She would probably be twice her size if I wasn't fighting it so hard!

 

[tinkamom]

That is my biggeset fear for my DDs. I SO don't want them to be like me. Thankfully one is built like DH but still it worries me since they are with me all the time. I try not to obsess but it is on my mind often.

Talk to the doctor and I am interested in what they suggest.

I have been trying to exercise more and when I walk the treadmill I usually send them out to play (I am at the door watching the whole time.) They usually want to go with me when I walk outside but can't keep up and it frustrates me since I am trying to get my heart rate up. When it gets cooler I think I will get their bikes and go to the park. My girls are 3,5,and 7 years.

I'll let you know what the doctor says. Is there a track or field you can walk around? Maybe you could walk faster while the kids follow at their own pace? Or maybe push the 3 and 5 yo in a double stroller for part of the time? I hope weight doesn't become a struggle for your children, its really hard on them!

 

[lovinaz]

I would absolutely INSIST on having her thyroid checked and some other tests done. If she eats that well and is that active, she should not have a weight problem. And if your Dr doesn't take you seriously, switch to a different one who is more willing to listen to your concerns. I know it sounds harsh, but you are her mom and you need someone who will listen to you. I can't believe a Dr would not be trying everything he could to help a 12 year old that is 60lbs overweight. Let us know what happens!

 

[DisneyFan06]

After you talk to the doctor let us know what happens, I am intrested in seeing what he or she says about the issue.

 

[twotoohappy]

Tinkamom - I hope all goes well at the dr's for her.
Any chance of binging? Even the healthiest of
foods in large amounts will gain weight.

PaulaSue - Why not walk with your children for fun
and then walk by yourself later? I do this so my dd gets
into a good, healthy exercise habit.

 

[tbstein]

Hello! I too have an overweight DD. 2 years ago we had her checked for various things, but I think she was too young for many illnesses to surface. This fall we are going to do some of them again, such as thyroid (I am hypothyroid myself) and diabetis (which runs in both sides of the family). She talks about weight loss, and tries very hard to watch what she eats. She is pretty active for a child, but more so in the school. Summer is her killer. But she isn't gaining at all this summer, and growing taller. I am proud of how she is concerned with being healthy rather than focusing on being thin. I am still concerned enough with family history to have those things checked out.

Good luck!

Wendy

 

[tinkamom]

Well DD had her physical and DR was not so concerned about her weight! She said it was not affecting her health at this time or stopping her from doing anything and that DD has a low resting pulse rate. When I pushed the issue she ordered some blood tests, Fasting blood sugar, T3, T4, TSH, insulin level, CBC, and lipid panel and she recommended weight watchers.

She said DD was very healthy despite her weight and that there were many different reasons why people are overweight, not only overeating. I'm glad to hear that DD's weight is not affecting her health, but I hope DD doesn't try to use that as an excuse not to diet!

 

[tbstein]

Good for you to push for the tests. Things do hide! Hope the results are positive! I have been working in a bit of South Beach on my DD. But it is hard, since she really isn't much of a meat eater. I just don't want her to go overboard the other way!

Good luck!

Wendy

 

[Tarabra]

Is she drinking a lot of juice or juice boxes? I used to drink a big glass or two of grapefruit juice or some other juice a day until I looked at the calories per serving! Yikes! I thought I was being healthy by drinking it, but I was really just loading myself up w/ extra calories. Vegetable Juice is all I drink now, but I know young kids don't care for it too much. Hope her tests come back the way you want them to.

 

[tiggerlover]

So glad to hear that your DD is healthy, that is the most important thing.

I am curious to know how your daughter feels about her weight though? Is she bothered by it? Does she think she has a problem?

I was an overweight child and turned into an overweight adult and have battled the scale for as long as I can remember. One thing that sticks in my mind was when my parents tried to limit my sweets and stuff I snuck food when they were not around, especially chocolate. I knew I was overweight, but it didn't bother me to the point where I wanted to do something about it until 10th grade. It is hard to make someone diet if they aren't committed to it, that is why I ask how your DD feels.

I am a huge advocate of WW and a firm believer in attending meetings and getting support for others in the same situation. If your daughter wants to do something about her weight see if she would be willing to give WW a try, they are more flexible than ever before.

 

[Cruise04]

I have an overweight daughter and I was also overweight when I was a child and all my adult life. One thing I want to relay that I've been told is exercise is good that is for sure but if you don't have at least 20 minutes of continous cardio, you aren't burning as many calories. Sure, she was doing swimming lessons and dance lessons but I'm guessing she wasn't moving continually for at least 20 minutes. Activity no matter what is ideal, but if she isn't moving for an extended period of time the exercise may not be burning as much as you think.

Good luck to her and you. I'm curious too on how she feels about this. Pushing her isn't a good thing and can lead to problems later. But making sure she understand that eating healthy is the most important part of her life, and getting regular exercise, is better than focusing on dieting and her body image.

 

[Tarabra]

I have a great book called The Complete Food Counter. It tells how many calories, fat, cholesterol, protein, Carbs, Sodium and fiber are in foods. It also has many restaurants in it and how much each meal is. It's pretty frightening to see some of the calorie counts. My DM has been gaining quite a bit of weight lately, and can't figure out why. She told me a couple of weeks ago that there was a deal at Arby's and she had a Roast Beef Sandwich, an apple turnover, and a chocolate milkshake!!! Sandwich had 330 cals., turnover had 420, and the shake had 480 cal. for a whopping total of 1230 calories. So, not saying that she eats a lot of fast food, but even on occasion, those calories can really add up. I'm not a calorie counter by any means, but this book is awesome if you are curious about how many calories are in something. Now that summer is over it's hard for the kids to run around all day, but I know my nephew always gains weight during the summer because he does absolutely NOTHING but watch t.v. and play video games. His mom says, he always loses weight when he goes back to school. I find that strange, because when we were kids, all we did all day long was play, climb trees, ride our bikes, play whiffle ball, hide n seek, the Olympics, the tv didn't go on until 8 o'clock at night. Then again we didn't have all the t.v. shows that are on now or DVD's, etc. Although you didn't mention her tv viewing habits, I know even my 21mosDD watches more tv than I'd like her to. At this age though she just can't go outside and play on her own or w/ friends, but once she can, the tv is staying off in the summer. I'm anxious to see how her tests turned out. I'm cheering her on.

 

[tinkamom]

So glad to hear that your DD is healthy, that is the most important thing.

I am curious to know how your daughter feels about her weight though? Is she bothered by it? Does she think she has a problem?

I was an overweight child and turned into an overweight adult and have battled the scale for as long as I can remember. One thing that sticks in my mind was when my parents tried to limit my sweets and stuff I snuck food when they were not around, especially chocolate. I knew I was overweight, but it didn't bother me to the point where I wanted to do something about it until 10th grade. It is hard to make someone diet if they aren't committed to it, that is why I ask how your DD feels.

I am a huge advocate of WW and a firm believer in attending meetings and getting support for others in the same situation. If your daughter wants to do something about her weight see if she would be willing to give WW a try, they are more flexible than ever before.

She doesn't seem to mind being overweight and like most kids doesn't think any of the health risks pertain to her. But she did start Weight Watchers today so thats a step in the right direction!

 

[tiggerlover]

She doesn't seem to mind being overweight and like most kids doesn't think any of the health risks pertain to her. But she did start Weight Watchers today so thats a step in the right direction!

Good for her and . Being overweight is difficult and having support is key. The WISH boards are a great place to get support and lots of ideas.

 

[run4me]

There is a program recommended by Dr. for kids called "Shapedown". This program is run by Dietations/counselors for kids. The goal is for kids to be healthy, feel good about themselves, and not turn in to a eating disorder. They sale the books online also at "shapedown.com"

 

[DisneyGirl]

I just found this thread, and it's good to hear your daughter just started WW! I was also overweight my whole life, and when I was 12, I also lost about 30 pounds on WW, and it was great. I was embarassed because I was one of the only overweight kids in my class, and I *never* would admit I was on a diet!!! The good thing about WW is that nobody had to know I was on a diet unless I wanted to tell them.

I have to admit that I did get teased AFTER I lost the weight (actually more than before)-- I was called "slim-fast" a lot, which was also embarassing. I don't know if it's different now that there are so many more children who are overweight, but please just encourage your daughter to stick with it, and don't worry about other people, only herself and her health!!