He is 9, and I have to watch what he eats often so that he does not bulk up any further. I have enrolled him in Karate in which he loves, but he LOVES to eat. The kids on the bus make of of him and called him "Fatty." This bothers him a lot. I don't think he is really overweight, but it is borderline. It just breaks my heart when he comes home and tells me about these kids. Suggestions? Restrict his food intake and tell him why? Or just restrict his food intake? Help.. He is just a kid.
2006-06-12 20:31:52 · 13 answers · asked by blah blah blah 3 in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
I cook regular foods. He is addicted to starches, potatoes, breads, cheese. I will place one helping on his plate, and he wants to eat 3 servings. He eats his fruits and veggies, but wants more... and more... and tells me his is constantly hungry. WIll try to sneak anything he can find, or get away with. This is breaking my heart. How to help him, without hurting him?
2006-06-12 20:38:35 · update #1
I agree with smaller portions.... I guess I am wanting to know if I am making to big of an issue out of this? He is chubby, not fat? I don't want him to think he is fat, and then get a complex, but I do want to see that he eats smaller portions that are (healthy.) I don't want to damage him by telling him that if he keeps eating like this then he will get fat. He might worry about it excessively?
2006-06-12 20:46:27 · update #2
I have Cancer, I am sure this is one stressor in his life. We have all been through a lot in dealing with this issue. Could that be the reason he eats so much? Or dealing with these brats at school?
2006-06-12 20:49:19 · update #3
YES, I don't want to make more stress on him... I don't want him to think that I think he is overweight..... I want him to feel comfortable in his own home, yet keeping him healthy.
2006-06-12 20:50:55 · update #4
You could start to tell him that he is fat. This may help. Or you could just stop feeding him. If he gets food elsewhere, lock him in the closet. You could also try giving him a tapeworm. This will take the weight right off. If all else fails, beat him as he eats. Pretty soon he will equate eating with pain.
2006-06-12 20:37:29 · answer #1 · answered by steve miller 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Restricting him might make him more depressed. Having kids pick on him all day probolly already does enough to his ego, then to get home and have someone there tell him that he is really eating too much would probolly make him feel worse.
My suggestion is to talk to him about nutrition instead. Find out what his favorite fruits and veggies are and have them around for him to eat. And remember, approach it easy. If you aren't careful he may think you are calling him "fatty" too, even if you aren't actually doing so. Even though you are being nice, he may think that you are doing that indirectly, he wont might not be able to say thats what he thinks, but thats kinda how he might take it. Just take it easy in explaining that snacking every now and then is ok, and the occasional cookie or cake is ok too, just that it is much better to have an apple or a banana instead of a cookie or cake. That way, he can still be happy about being able to snack every now and then and you will be happy knowing that he is eating a little better.
2006-06-13 03:43:51 · answer #2 · answered by Rocker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Karate will help a lot but it's not the best exercise purely for weight loss. However, if he loves it then it's best that he sticks at it rather than change.
Simply make less food available, don't cook so many potatoes or buy so much bread.
2006-06-13 05:21:42 · answer #3 · answered by Dondare 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is only 9 and it's likely that he will lose any puppy fat as he gets older, but it is important to educate him on his choices of food. It's a simple thing that if you eat too much for your body, you will gain weight. Unfortunately, if you start restricting him in his food, he may rebel against this and it might create more problems with regard to his weight. I would just encourage healthier eating - more fruit and veg as snacks, less carbonated drinks, more water/juice, proper meals and less snacks between them, but if you have to, nice healthy ones.
Make sure he has plenty of confidence in himself and he won't be so bothered about these kids who are calling him 'Fatty'. Kids are so mean at times, but if he has confidence in who he is, perhaps it won't affect him as much.
2006-06-13 03:40:14 · answer #4 · answered by taliesin_bow 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
be active with him. walk at night, go swimming together, start playing tennis...find something that he enjoys and the whole family can do. get the whole family healthy. limit desserts but don't exclude them. encourage the whole family to eat healthy. keep fruits, vegies with dip, and low fat, high fiber food available. consult a nutritionist or a look up tastey but healthy recipes. don't make it all about him...don't make him the focus. get him checked for diabetes as well. he could develop hyperglycemia, high blood sugar, and this could make him feel hungry all of the time. if he doesn't have diabetes, then maybe he's thirsty. keep plenty of water, and green tea, or other light juices around.
2006-06-13 03:42:39 · answer #5 · answered by itskind2bcruel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing you can do is simply be honest with him and tell him that a healthy nutritonal diet is important for him at this age. Plus you must not only instruct him on an appropriate eating habit but you must do the same, lead by example.
2006-06-13 03:34:43 · answer #6 · answered by ViciousV 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One suggestion is to get him into cooking. If he helps with cooking, you could start adding some good food into his eating habits. He'll know it is good for him and it is fun to eat! I myself had the same problem as a child. That is what my mom did with me. It helped me out a lot. It is hard with someone pushing a child to do this or that activity, plus people making fun of them. They feel obligated to be this type of person. Just be supportive and do what you feel in your heart you need to do!
2006-06-13 03:36:07 · answer #7 · answered by me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you are feeding him, then you should probably choose healthier meals, and only eating at breakfast ,lunch and dinner, no snacks in between and through out the day. No soda, no fast foods, not only is it unhealthy but, the partially hydrogenated oils. Try to avoid snack foods, sweets, etc. They all contribute to his size and health, which is most important.
2006-06-13 03:36:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Explain him the risks of this bad habit.
Try to find the reason ofr his hunger (anxiety, metabolism,etc)
Keep on watching him and encouraging him
2006-06-13 03:38:20 · answer #9 · answered by ortegapp 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best strategy is to lead by example. If your exercise and eat properly, he will eventually follow.
2006-06-13 03:35:46 · answer #10 · answered by Evil Wordmonger, LTD LOL 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋