My 8 yr. old daughter is not overweight but has a little tummy that bothers her, any ideas on how to lose it?

Question

For some of you that had concerns....no I don't plan putting her on a strict diet or anything, and I do not give her lots of sweets or anything.. I do want her to feel better about herself, she asked me what she could do to help her lose it and feel better. I am just looking for some ideas is all. I am sure it's mostly baby fat.

Answer 1

8 years old seems to young for her to be worried about her weight, but I have an 8 year old son and I know how they can be. Always worried about what everyone thinks.

In my familys doctors office there are posters everywhere of how children that age that are overweight have a much higher chance of asthma and diabeties and heart problems. But it doesn's sound like she is overweight. Make sure that you help her keep her self esteem high. That is the most important part for now. And maybe start doing a workout with her. My son likes to do tae bo with me. We have a lot of fun.

Answer 2

The most important thing is to help her understand that a little tummy does not affect her self worth. Talk to her, explain to her why it's not a bad thing to have a little tummy, and how at her age she is going through so many changes, and that all she can do is be patient, continue to eat healthy and stay active. The key is to raise her self esteem... And make sure she doesn't end up with a negative body image, when an 8 year old is concerned about belly bulge, she is certainly headed that way.

Talk to her, keep the communication open. Ask her why this is important to her. What difference(in her opinion) would it make if she had a flat stomach? Support her, tell her she is your beautiful little girl, and tell her to try to be patient with her body as she is growing up.

Staying active is always important, ofcourse. Get active with her... Take her rollerblading, bike riding, nightly walks, swimming... Encourage her to get into sports. You could teach her some aerobics, particularly moves that target the tummy (sit-ups, crunches, etc).

I'm sure you are right, it's just baby fat.

Here are some sites that could be of some help, maybe?

http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/index.html

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/exerciseandfitness/

http://www.region.peel.on.ca/health/commhlth/fostbi/fostint.htm

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=287&id=1634

Answer 3

I am not trying to be rude, but if she has this tummy she learned this from you. Children emulate the parent of the same sex. She probably sees you looking at your stomach and complaining and then notices her short comings.
If you are taking her to regular dr. appts and the dr. has not said there is a problem with her weight, then don't put her on a diet. You could start her on a dangerous track that could lead to anorexia down the line.
Some kids just have s small belly due to stomach muscles not developed yet. They will when her body is ready. The best you can do is see she eats a balanced diet and gets exercise daily. Maybe if you go on walks together you can bond in a more positive way and not obsessing about body type. It is definately not healthy at 8.

Answer 4

I think the more important thing is to work on her self image versus her baby fat.

She will grow out of that, as long as she is taught the importance of proper eating and she gets the right amount of physical activity.

I would be more concerned with the fact she feels fat. You need to help curb her self image before this escalates into a bigger problem once she reaches adolescence.

Getting her involved with a sport or activity that she can excel at is a good idea (plus the sport would give her exercise as well).

Girl Scouting is a wonderful organization to help girls learn self esteem, it helped my daughter immensely. She started as quiet, shy 6 year old, and now, at nearly 11, she is an outgoing, independent, assertive young lady.

Answer 5

It is absolutely revolting that your eight year old daughter would be "bothered" by anything about her body. She does not need to lose her little tummy, she needs to lose her ideas about what she is supposed to look like which are obviously straight out of magazines and TV (not appropriate for an eight year old) and probably in large measure from her mom, as well.
Your daughter will have an eating disorder by the time she's 13, if you reinforce this kind of thinking. Get your head on straight.

Answer 6

I would explain to her that she is fine just the way she is. You don't want her worrying about her weight at such a young age because this can lead to problems later on. Don't let her go on any diets, again she's too young, especially since you say she's not overweight. If it really is a problem then just get her moving more, get her invovled in physical activity, but beyond that I would do nothing.

Answer 7

Get some toys that you both can enjoy like a couple of hoola hoops or scooters (the kind you have to push with your feet, not the electric kind,LOL!).
Have fun and play with her. It's exercise disguised as quality time. My daughters and I used to have so much fun together, we bonded, and it kept us from sitting in front of the tv too much. I miss those times now that they are all grown up. :0(
And for those women who are quick to blame Mom here, think back to when you were little girls. The ONLY little girls I knew who didn't feel bothered about their tummies were the ones who didn't have one. Come on, this little girl is probably feeling this because of t.v. and school.
Oh, you know what, watch some of those t.v. shows on Disney with her (after you've exhausted yourselves with the hoola hoops!). They have gotten away from hiring all actresses with that skin and bones look. Raven is absolutely beautiful and she is most definitely full figured. This is the positive media influence our daughters need to be seeing. Girls with tummies and booties in the starring role for a change!

Answer 8

it's so hard when they are so young and already noticing and comparing their bodies to others!

Health is the main concern and the most important thing to do is eliminate as much sugar from her diet as possible. This includes candies, cakes and especially JUICE! substitute water, water, water. Juice is pure sugar! and sugar = fat! but keep fibrous fruits like apples, pears--they work for your body instead of against it!

EXERCISE everyday start out with 15 minute walks, go to the park and play tag, kick ball, relay races in the back yard. get her active without it seeming like a chore! PLAY IS THE WORK OF CHILDREN! :-)

she should be active for at least 30 consecutive minutes each day.

hope this helps!

Answer 9

Focus on eating healthy choices and healthy excercise activities.
Obviously she is getting the message somewhere about being fat and needing to diet.
DOnt use those words.
Being Healthy is important and sometimes people with a little tummy are healthier than those that look like a starved stick.

Answer 10

She needs cardio exercises that burn fat. Sign her up for a sport like soccer which my 8 year old loves! You can have a whole 6 pack on your stomach but if you have a layer of fat over it you can not tell. Get her off soda and candy and high fat products. I wouldn't really put her on a "diet" at her age, and I would not tell her your intention is to loose her belly, you may give her a self esteem problem, if she don't already have one. just get her active and she will burn it off. Kudos to you mom for paying attention to her health!