My friend of six years just came back to town to live after moving away for a little over a year. I didnt see her in this time and when she left her daughter was fine. Upon seeing her today, her daughter is on the verge of being morbidly obease. I would guess her height to be about 4ft tall and 80lbs. I am lost at what to do. I was shocked when I saw her. I have kept in contact with her and we have remained good friends and I asked what happened with her daughter but she just said that its what she eats. At that point I just left it at that. To me, her answer comes across like she doesnt care cause after all, what a 4-year old eats is up to the mother/parents, right? I need help...I really want to help this litte girl. She is starting school shortly and I dont want her to be the "fat kid in the class". Any advice from anyone would be great. Thankyou...
2006-06-06 14:56:20 · 7 answers · asked by skattered0077 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
she should realize there is a problem and talk to the doctor or WIC about proper eating for her child. weight loss is not recommended for children but if she starts eating healthy she will grow into her weight
you should also tell her that children that young can have weight related complications like heart attacks and diabetes
if she refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem you should call protective services this child needs help
2006-06-06 15:06:34 · answer #1 · answered by tpuahlekcip 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all it is your friends child and maybe she answered that way as she really feels it is what she eats that has caused the weight gain. However this may not be the case at all. I have a younger sister and ran into the same situation, yes very shocked to see her so heavy in a yrs time! well I did talk to my parents about the fact that there are thyroid problems in the family and they took her in to the drs, and yes her thyroid was low, which in turn has alot to do with the metabolism. IE: weight gain , dry skin,dandruff, tiredness,all signs. Other medical factors can be the cause too! but if you have the chance to be around this child and observe her eating habits for a day it just may be the food. And the out come of not tending to a medical problem if there is one present can have life long complications, my sister did not continue taking medicine for her thyroid, developed high blood pressure and had a minor stroke at 34 years old. Now she takes her medicine,luckly shes alive and able to. Now maybe it would be harsh to tell your friend have u had her dr check her out, so what i would suggest is that you tell her you were reading a magazine or somthing on a web site that suggested that a medical condition alot of times is the cause of rapid weight gain in kids, she really may not know this and need help being informed more on medical conditions concerning her daughter in general, so many are not informed enough to see warning signs of anything a child may have and she may be one of these people, good luck
2006-06-06 22:20:15 · answer #2 · answered by momof8 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well as you said it comes down to the parents. I guess you could always suggest that you guys meet at a park so that she can get some exercise. Well yes that is a worry about her being the "fat kid in the class" kids now a days are so cruel. Basicly if you love your friend and your friends child you should just come out with it and be truthful. Just say that if she needs help you are there if needed to some extent though. Good Luck.
2006-06-06 15:04:19 · answer #3 · answered by localgirl420 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless your friend has asked for your help, you may not be able to do anything. If she is a really good friend, you may be able to offer some suggestions or just do some things together that may help out. For instance, if you can go with your friend and her daughter to the park, or go over to visit and do some active things with her such as jump rope or help her learn to ride a bike or take walks. Or maybe invite them over for lunch and serve up some kid friendly healthy foods - lots of cut up veggies and fruit, whole wheat mini bagels with peanut butter, lean ham chunks, string cheese, or anything else that is not processed. I would suggest you don't bring the subject up to your friend. She knows her daughter is overweight and she may be feeling depressed about it and perhaps embarrassed. Be supportive of your friend, listen to her, and help her when she asks for it. Anything you do for the little girl, do in a fun way and don't make any negative comments about her weight to her.
2006-06-06 15:22:58 · answer #4 · answered by sevenofus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you've got the time, spend it with the little girl doing physical things like walking, going to the playground, anything to get her moving. After that, ask her if she would like to help you cook and then make healthy food together. Create a little garden, even if it's in pots, and plant fast-growing plants like lettuce. Watch it grow and then pretend to be rabbits and eat it. In fact, you could start off with just buying lettuce and carrots and play Peter Rabbit in Mr McGregor's garden.
The idea is to have somebody in her life to encourage her to be active and to enjoy eating healthy foods.
She's a lucky little girl to have someone who cares about what's happening. Sometimes parents are too overwhelmed by life to be everything and do everything for their kids.
2006-06-06 15:09:12 · answer #5 · answered by sambot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to talk to ur friend to go to a gym to help her
2006-06-06 15:01:35 · answer #6 · answered by **Sam**[[loves someone special]] 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, the best solution is to mind your own business.
2006-06-06 15:04:41 · answer #7 · answered by RN BSN 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋