Help with overweight 7 yr old daughter?

Question

I don't want to tell her she is overweight because I do not wish to give her a complex or think she has to look like one of those skin-n-bones teen celebs that is why I choose not to take her to a nutritionist,she is smart enough to figure out why.Is there any way I can have her diet/exercise without her knowing what I'm up to?


Thanks in advance because the last thing I want is to have her turn anoxeric or bulemic

That was out of line Juanita-she doesn't eat crap food,why would I be asking if I didn't care?

Answer 1

She won't turn anorexic or bulimic if you let her know that you will be changing her diet for her health. When I was around that age, I gained a bit of weigh (and I mean just a bit) and my mom stopped buying cookies which I ate all the time. She told me that if I kept gaining weight I could have health problems later on in life (and she named a few). I was fine with it because I did NOT want any of those health problems. I loved sports so I was already exercising, but if she hates to work out, walk with her. Tell her that hour is a special mom/daughter time, and enjoy that time with her.

Answer 2

I have a similar situation. I don't go to the nutritionist in our area, as she was hopeless when I went to her when I was pregnant - gave me no advice just handed me a 600/800 calorie diet sheet having crossed out the bit where it said 600/800 calories.

I would make discrete enquiries from your doctor or friends about the quality of the nutritionist in your area, but if the advice was positive, and you are concerned about what she eats I would try it. Perhaps have a meeting with the person first and explain your concerns. I think it's worth trying as my kids listen much better to a third party than they do me!

The idea with kids is NOT to get them to lose weight, because no-one knows what the long term health implications of dieting may be for kids, but to halt the weight gain until they grow into the weight they are now. It is known that dieting reduces the bodies immune system, which is obviously not a good idea for a growing child. So, make small changes that should halt the gain, keep encouraging the healthy behaviour, and try not to worry. Girls especially can gain some weight before puberty, and puberty arrives a bit earlier than it used to.

Answer 3

If you have only healthy food in the house, that's all she can eat. Buy heaps of fruit, and have it in a bowl on the table. If you don't have biscuits and chips etc in the house, she can't eat them. No telly or computer after school, get outside and play!
I can imagine this will be a hard road for you, but you are the adult. You are the boss. It's a sign of the times that there is too much choice and too much processed food. It was easier in the old days, where there was fruit or a sandwich after school and that's all. Also there was only water or milk to drink.
Just don't give in and buy any junk. I wish you the best of luck

Answer 4

I would suggest participating in a physical activity with her everyday... anything from tag with other children, a simple game of catch, soccer, go swimming with her, or having a dance off with other kids. Also, buy her toys that involve a form of exercise for Christmas such as a bicycle, pogo stick, trampoline, rollerskates, or a baseball bat and glove. The point is to give her a regular routine of exercising that is fun and one that she will want to continue to do on her own. Also, don't buy any "junk" food... since you do the shopping, control what is available to her. Also, keep a fresh supply of fruit and vegetables available to her for snacking. I like to clean a bowl of grapes or strawberries when I bring them home from the store, that way, whenever my girls get the munchies, they can grab a quick, healthy snack. Raisins, popcorn, and rice cakes are also quick healthy snacks. Also, make sure that her drinks are a healthy combination of milk, juice, and water... skip the soda and make sure she doesn't drink too much juice. Therefore, the best advice that I can give you is to make "small" healthy changes in her lifestyle over time... even if it takes a year or more... lifestyle changes that, hopefully, she will keep for the rest of her life.

Answer 5

Why don't you try making it fun and competitive? Get a stop watch and time her running a 50-yard dash or swimming a lap and give her rewards. Do it every day so that she gets used to it and starts wanting to keep beating her previous times. If this isn't your cup of tea, just getting more active in any way you can think of. You can't let on you're doing it because she's overweight. If you're into it, she will be, too. Please don't say she's smart enough to figure it out. She's only 7 years old and the kids at school are probably teasing her. Just don't bring fattening foods into the house and look for creative ways to fix healthy low-calorie meals and snacks. My heart goes out to her.

Answer 6

As a Teacher of physical education the best way for children to lose weight is to play games. Keeping children active is easy when their young. From riding bikes, to playing tag, swimming. Slow and steady wins the race in most things in life. You are right about not giving her a complex about her weight. You are in control of what she eats! Try to limit the amount of sugars , and fats from her diet. Moderation is the key. Sodas are pure evil on children as well. The last thing I suggest is portion control. Most adults and children over eat. Moderation is the key to life.

Good Luck

Answer 7

ok i am 15 and weigh about 130, she 7 and 204, ur daughter is overweight, i mean u are her mom tell what to eat and what to not eat. u see all these people on tv losing pounds by just cutting out fast food , cut this out slowly it should help . i would stop with the fast food and try fun healthy foods, that she might like. i would think that u would belive a doctor, they go to college to become this. make her walk, just do it slowly it should help with the heaving.

Answer 8

Yes, you really have to be discreet with a sensitive child.

Watch her eating habits and tactfully help her avoid having junk food. French fries, cookies, nuts, ice cream and all kinds of sweet dishes are unwholesome.

There is an added risk of early onset of diabetes. It is a major health problem in the Western countries. Now Asian countries like China and India whose economies are growing fast, are also facing the same problem.

Answer 9

don't buy a lot of unhealthy but don't rescrict her from junk food otherwise she'll just go to a friends house and eat it. Try making sumthing fun to eat with her that's kinda od healthy. like slicied apples with some sugar and cinimon melted on top or rice cakes, the white cheddar kind tastes like popcorn and is better for you. Try playing baseball or basketball, flashlight tag outisde with her and her friends for execricse. Good Luck!

Answer 10

My son is nine and he is somewhat over weight. I do talk to him honestly about it. I told him that it was bad for me to buy and keep junk food in the house, and that I am no longer going to do that. I encourage him to go outside and play instead of playing video games or watching TV. I let him take Karate classes. They sure give him a work out! Mostly, I try to set a good example by eating right myself. When we go to the grocery store, I let him pick out a new vegetable to try this week. He is more likely to try them because he picked them! I guess what I'm saying is, try to create new habits to replace the old ones that are bad. I know he is not gonna lose alot of weight fast, but by doing this he will eventually grow out of his chubbiness. Good luck.