What can be done to help a 7 year old overweight little girl?

Question

There is a 7 year old little girl in my life who is very heavy for her age (83 pounds) and average height. She currently fits into a girls size 16 pants (which are quite snug) but we have to chop about a foot of length off and hem the pants. Of course, the sleeves on the shirts are too long. I believe the little darling needs to be checked for a thyroid problem, but her mother (my GF) wishes to see if diet and exercise will work first. I would agree with her if our current work schdules would allow us to spend more time with the child, who also has a 5 year old little brother who we nearly have to bribe him to get him to eat. We have instructed the daycare/schools not to give the little girl ANY second portions of ANYTHING, however, when I pick her up she's always nibbling on animal crackers or has a ziplock bad full of Halloween type candy. She is aware that she has a weight problem and doesn't seem to be bothered by it much, but she is a very well mannered child.

Answer 1

evidently she cant cook for herself therefore you should be responsible for what she eats

Answer 2

This is a really good question.

I would put the instructions to the school in writing. I would also collect the candy and the crackers and take it as evidence to the school and inquire as to who gave her these things. A school needs to keep track of food distribution since there are so many children with peanut allergies, so there is no way she should be carrying food when you have told the school that she shouldn't have it.

There are probably web sites and library books that deal with pediatric nutrition and weight loss and appropriate calorie consumption. Perhaps at home she can have second helpings of foods like lettuce and celery or maybe she can chew sugarless chewing gum instead of candy and animal crackers.

There are low cost rec centers in our area and hopefully you have a few as well. Even if you can only go once per week it will still be helpful. It is possible to diet without exercise, but it is difficult. The other option is to meet with the school and ask that she be enrolled in an additional gym class when she is supposed to have art, music or free time. I'd also ask the playground supervisor if she would make sure that my daughter is active and not playing Pokemon games during recess. You could give a few of these people gift certificates for going the extra mile.

I agree with you that she should have a medical check up. There are usually labs in each city that will do some blood work without a doctor's order. Appropriate thyroid levels can be found on the Internet. When and if you get blood work done, you can put a gel such as Burn-Gel Plus (with lidocaine) on her elbow creases so that the pain of the needle is reduced. Put it on 2 hours ahead of time and cover with plastic wrap.

Answer 3

I applaud you for wanting to help this girl. The best thing you can do is to discuss this with her Doctor. The next best thing is to educate the parent. When the parent understands nutrition and can use their knowledge effectively, the children benefit. Make sure that the child is active. Cut back on all sweets including juices. Make exercise a fun activity, not a punishment. Reduce TV time to very little. Make sure the parents are willing to invest time in this girl's health. Feed her a proper breakfast (if she is full, there's less chance of snacking). Provide adequate snacks for her. Keep in mind that all of this is a change in lifestyle (yours, hers, and the parent), not a diet. Don't expect the schools to ensure that she doesn't eat sweets; If you provide proper snacks, this wont be an issue. I understand that you are cutting out second portions, but is she having the proper first portion? While were at it, is she having the right portion size? Most cookie servings are 1 or 2 cookies. Juice is 6 oz.

The links below might provide you with some info but keep in mind that is is based on an adult. A pediatrician can rule out thyroid (which should be addressed immediately instead of waiting to see if diet & exercise fixes it) and can give you more detailed nutritional guidelines.

I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 4

You need to get this little girl into the habit of eating less rubbish and moving more. You need to make these habits while you still can.

Walk as often as you can, make walking the first choice and going by car the second (though I realise this might be difficult where you live). If you can't walk one day, play soccer in the garden - but it can't be something you do just to lose weight, it has to become a habit, the normal thing you always do, even when her weight goes down.

You might need to think about changing daycare, if possible, any daycare which rewards its charges with junk food has got to be worrying.

The good thing is that she is still growing so a reduction in calories will soon have an effect as she grows upwards.

Answer 5

Awww...this poor little girl. I would suggest taking her to join a dance class (ballet, gymastics, cheerleading). Get her active ! Maybe join a soccer team ? The less she feels she is "on a diet" the better. What is sad is that shes not bothered by her weight. I have a niece who has accepted her "overweight" body and I just know she will spend her life alone or struggling to find a job. There are so many things that you are limited to when you are overweight, I know. I come from a family of overweight people. I too was overweight until recently - but Im an adult so its easier for me to take charge. I suggest you step up and take the initiative. Im glad she is well mannered but unfortunately when she gets older the kids will be very cruel - so now is the time to make that change.

Answer 6

Just substitute some of the food she's nibbling with fruits or South Beach Diet products. I also heard that Weight Watcher's food is really good. Some of the fat is baby fat I'm sure and will of course go away. But the remaining fat should be managed by putting her in an after school program or a sports camp for kids like her. Get her to jump rope everyday (great source of cardio), and don't allow her to eat in front of the television. In fact minimize the amount of tv, or video games that she does. Have her get out of the house more and visit the park, the beach, horseback riding, etc. Weight loss is about turning around your everyday routine. It's hard at first, but one has to remain focused. Good luck!

Answer 7

My niece is 9 and also wears a size 16. Her father and grandmother let her eat seconds at places at McDonalds. Her mother and father didn't marry and do not live together. She doesn't exercise either. She would rather stay inside and read a book. She needs to get outside to play more.

It wouldn't hurt to get a blood workup from the doctor to rule out a possible thyroid problem. If she tries to diet and exercise and doesn't lose weight, it would discourage her. I do not believe a little girl should diet anyway. She could watch her portions and offer snacks that are healthy. Animal crackers are fat free.

Try to get her outside to play more with fun games. I will pray for her health.

Answer 8

Don't ever give up on being her dietitian. Monitor everything she eats, and if that daycare isn't following your directions, try to find a place that will respect your wishes and care enough about your child to help her, also.
Try to get her to be physically active. There are alot of ways to excersize without it seeming like work for children. Throwing a ball, a scavenger hunt....etc..
She will lose weight as she gets older but if she doesn't know how to eat correctly, it won't be enough.
Tell her to ask herself before she eats "Do I really need that or do I just want it?"
I know how hard it is.......DON"T GIVE UP!!! It's not the easy way, but it is the only way. God Speed!

Answer 9

i don't think it is wise for you to put a 7 year old girl on a diet and frankly i think it is irresponsible! diets can be very dangerous and could harm the little girls physical or mental health even both! so just try too stop her from eating junk food but make sure she eats her three meals a day, gets enough fruit etc and when she wants a snack give her something healthy and too make it easier to stop her from eating junk just don't buy it and it may seem unfair on the other children but it we ensure they are healthy and she wont feel as though shes being treated too differently and make sure you make her feel really good when she loses even the tiniest bit of weight and make her do gentle exercise and even try too make it fun so she enjoyes doing it and ill say it again if you care for her then don't put her on a diet because they don't work and it could cause her harm! i hope Ive helped and if you need anymore help or info. feel free to contact me at: [e-mail]
i hope Ive helped
Gage Ballard

Answer 10

I had a weight problem for most of my life. I'm 5'11" tall and at one time I was 327 pounds. I started to have three meals a day and a snack at bedtime and I went down to 165 and I've been there for 10 years. The little girl has to learn that food is not a be all, end all. She should learn to eat till she's comfortable, and not stuffed.

Answer 11

Well she's a kid all she knows is she likes to eat. I would reiterate to the daycare that she is to remain on a strict diet, but would be hard, to give the other kids treats and always exclude her. If I were you I would look into a specialty daycare for children with weight problems. You would be suprised with what you come up with, there is usually scholarship money for children with special needs. Contact your local gov't office and see what types of programs are available.