My 7 year old son is 20lbs overweight.?

Question

I have a 7 year old son who until he was 5 years old was a normal weight. But in the last 2 years he has put on a lot of weight and now is 20lbs overweight. I make sure he has a healthy diet, plenty fruit and veg, low fat spread, no fried foods etc. Infact the only "junk" food he does have is a packet of low fat crisps for his snack at school. I took him to our GP who confirmed he was overweight but basically told me to cut out any fatty foods (something which I already do). I know people will question whether I do give him a healthy diet but I am certain I do. Even in the summer I had to refuse him ice creams, when all his friends were having them. People are now starting to comment and call him names and it breaks my heart to think of him being bullied but I am at my wits end, other than literally starve him, what can I do? I also ensure he has regular exercise every day. I come from a large family and have to be careful with my diet, could it be genetic?

Answer 1

I can try and help you! If you e-mail me with everything he eats on a daily bases. Then i can try and figre out what is going wrong. Alot of foods that say they are low in fat are actually higher in sugar than normal 'no fat taken out foods'. Also you need to make sure he is eating the right things at the right times. It's all about balance. E-mail me for more help, i am a weight loss and nutrition coach so you can ask me anything.
Take care

Little.lost

Answer 2

I think you're doing a great job. However, you said that weight problems run in your family; it's highly likely that he is afflicted as well. I also suggest you take him to a pediatric endocrinologist, to rule out for certain that he has on hormone imbalances.
I would try to get him motivated for sports. Take walks and bike rides with him. Kids that age need lots of stimulation. In the summer, send him to an adventure camp where he'll get lots of exercise. Don't make food the main topic around the house. Don't let him think that his weight is all that's ever talked about.

I think the key here is exercise. Perhaps he'd like to take some sort of athletic after-school activity, like karate or hockey. Make these sports sound appealing to him by telling him he can do whatever sport he likes, no limitations. Exercise has to be a fun thing for him.

There's always the chacne that he'll outgrow the baby fat once he reaches his teens. However, it's good you're not taking any chances but are actively helping him overcome this. You sound like a great mom.

Answer 3

Genetic? uh, maybe.

Your son is 20lbs overweight, I've found that the best way for a "kid" to lose weight is doing it gradually. You can't pressure them or really restrict them from the food since there still kids, just make sure that when they eat junkfood such as icecream, hamburgers etc. that they're in small proportions. You gotta "slowly" wean them off, so that your son starts eating less junkfood and more healthy food without realizing it.

Outright baring them from eating junk foods is a bad and unnecessary thing for younger kids. (I can not stress that enough) you gotta let kids be kids.

As for exercise you got to introduce him to a sport or activity that "he" can enjoy and do. Show the options and let him do it. From personal experience when your doing a physical activity thats fun, you don't really realize your running or sweating all over the place.

And more so as long as you make sure he eating properly and HEALTHY, he still be growing and therefore losing that weight naturally, or just growing into it.

Good Luck
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http://forum.bodybuilding.com/

Answer 4

It sounds like you are doing the right things diet wise. You dont mention his activity levels, get him moving around. Not sitting when he comes home from school, get him involved in some sports and do it with him for encouragement. If he still does not lose weight then you should go back to your doctor and insist on further tests and a second opinion ...;

Answer 5

As many others pointed out, it might be hypothyroidism. enetics also play a lrge role

It is hard but make sure that he understands that he needs to live a life a little different from other kids. Plan more activities for him that will keep him away from food, TV and video games.

Good luck

Answer 6

Although I would not deprive him of the foods and snacks he loves, just give them in moderation because it can make it only worse when he does get his hands on some, he will gorge out.
I agree with the suggestion that you should get a thyroid test done because sometimes if their is a problem he will gain weight abnormally. Also, get him involved in sports and other physical activities if he is not already.

Answer 7

3. Behavior Therapy
Behavior therapy involves changes in diet and physical activity habits to one that promote a healthy weight. Some behavioral therapy strategies for children and adolescents should include parent and family involvement.

Some behavioral therapy strategies for children are to:


Record diet and exercise patterns in a diary to keep track of types and amount of foods eaten and exercise performed as well as the location and time that foods are eaten and exercise takes place. The diary useful to determine any problem areas in eating and exercise behavior.



Use the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Daily Food and Activity Diary.

Identify high-risk situations (such as having too many high-calorie foods in the house), and consciously avoid them. Watching TV during meal times is another high-risk situation that encourages eating every time the TV is on.
Reward specific positive actions. Examples of such actions include meeting an exercise duration goal or eating less of a certain type of food.
Rewards for achieving goals can be decided by children and parents together, and should revolve around something that encourages positive behavior. For example, giving sporting equipment as a reward may encourage more physically active behavior.
Avoid using food as a reward, especially high-calories foods. Making them a reward may only make them more desirable. Parents and health professionals should regularly use verbal praise.
Change unrealistic goals and false beliefs about weight loss and body image to realistic and positive ones.
The family can work as a team to set weekly activity goals. Making a contract and having every family member sign it encourages commitment to a goal. Parents can also help a child adopt or maintain a positive attitude about new behaviors in addition to helping the child cope with any negative remarks from peers.
Develop a social support network (family, friends or neighbors) that can encourage weight loss in a positive and motivating manner.

4. Drug Treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved the use of any drugs to treat obesity in children. However, clinical trials are under way.

For information on clinical drug trials to treat obesity in children, search the ClinicalTrials.gov website.
5. Surgery
Surgical procedures such as gastric bypass have been performed successfully on adolescents. However surgery for adolescents is usually considered only when severe medical conditions are present that can improve with the surgery.

Answer 8

You are looking after him and his interests. But by refusing him some 'luxury' items it's highly likely he's getting them behind your back when he's at school. If he's getting bullied about it then he might be turning to food for comfort. Talk to the teachers at his school and see if there is anything going on about which you are unaware.
Good luck.

Answer 9

Thyroid disease is one of the most common health problems we face today. From a practical standpoint, there are many ways to approach this issue. Learn here https://tr.im/MoCr7

Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is a very common problem, and there are many reasons for this, including drinking chlorinated and fluoridated water, and eating brominated flour.

Chlorine, fluoride, and bromine are all in the same family as iodine, and can displace iodine in your thyroid gland.

Secondly, many people simply aren't getting enough iodine in their diet to begin with. The amount you get from iodized salt is just barely enough to prevent you from getting a goiter.

Answer 10

Follow the 80/20 rule, which means eating clean 80 percent of times and indulging a little 20 percent of the time.