How can you help your child lose weight?

Question

My son will be 5 in october and he weighs about 78 lbs. He doesn't eat a lot of candy or anything like that. He's really picky on what he will eat. He's been "overweight" for about 1 1/2 years. He runs around a lot and loves to play

My son is 5 years old and weighs 75-78 lbs. He doesn't eat a lot and doesn't get candy or soda. Rarely has any fast food, we have had him eating more fresh fruits and veggies and he's outside everyday, we take a lot of walks around the neighborhood and he also works out with me when I work out.....

Answer 1

First, he is only five and you don't want him to have lifelong eating problems so don't make a big deal about his weight in front of him. Of course, he does need to get healthy, he just doesn't need to feel bad about it.
Increase his exercise even more, in fun ways. Go swimming several days a week, enroll him in karate or gymnastics or dance classes, whatever appeals to him. Don't serve a lot of processed foods like hotdogs or chicken nuggets or kraft dinner or sliced meats. Serve boneless skinless chicken breast or fish more often. Fill up with a bowl of homemade soup or veggies and dip as an appetizer for lunch and supper.Cut way down on foods like french fries and butter. Schedule fun activities right after meal times to cut down time spent eating, sometimes its hard to stop if the food is in front of you, but not if you are in a hurry to get to the zoo or the playground. Teach him things to keep his hands busy. Draw or knit during tv time.

Answer 2

Hi there,
Don't worry about helping him lose weight at age 5- the better thing to do would be to help him stay where he is until he 'grows into' his current weight.

Don't draw attention to his weight problem; trust me, I was about 5 when my parents started harping on me and it was a nightmare.

Some things you have going for you are that he already loves to run and play. Also, he's really picky about what he eats - so stop pandering to his tastes. He'll eat less and stop gaining.

Get sweets/fatty snacks out of the house and start having fruit, etc. as snacks. Sure, he'll complain, but stand tough.

Answer 3

Ask your pediatrician for his opinion and for safe weight loss suggestions.

Next check his diet. Even if he doesnt eat alot of candy, does he eat alot of fried foods, fast foods, soda? A healthier diet for him may mean a healthier diet for the whole family.

If he loves to run and play, thats great. Encourage as much physical activity as possible. Also get him involved in something he likes that will keep him active - sports, karate, swimming.

Dont make him feel bad about his size or the way he looks, just tell him thats its important that you teach him to be healthy.

Answer 4

Make him eat vegetables and fruits every day. Also, absolutely no junk food. Being that overweight almost guarantees all kinds of health problems later, so be a good mother and cook something healthy for him every day. Good luck!

Answer 5

Apparently, he`s getting the calories somewhere. Watch the amounts he eats, because no matter how healthy he is eating, it`s the number of calories that count. If there seems to be no indication as to why he is becoming overweight, see his pediatrician.

Answer 6

He seems to be an active child with a relatively normal appetite. As soon as he starts schooling, he will eventually lose more weight. You shouldn't worry that much though. He seemed like a healthy boy to me...

Answer 7

keep fitness accessories in the living room

Answer 8

look for heatlhy kid freindly recipes online at foodnetwork.com and make sure they drink plenty of water. try to get them involved in outdoor things like skating or going swimming. also make sure they are taking childrens vitamins it insures that they are getting the right nutition ammounts.

Answer 9

get him involved in a sport and when he eats give him half a serving like instead of a whole sand which give him just a half

Answer 10

fly a kite for 20 minutes