Childhood (Toddler) Obesity

Peditricians don't always know what they are talking about.. and niether do charts and bmi calculators... my son is 7 he is very tall around 4 foot... and he weighs about 50 pounds... and my peditrician had the nerve to tell me that my skin and bones son was overweight... give me a break... if her peditrician is saying that she is fine and to stop obsessing than please do... there is nothing wrong with eating right and exercising... but if she is hungry then feed her.. her body knows what it needs... as long as you aren't letting her snack all the time and eat bad foods.. you have nothing to worry about...

I didn't read all the responses, but from what I did read, I think you're getting some good advice. I just wanted to add the experience with my own son, who was in the 95th percentile in height and weight for his first two years. He eventually slowed down, and now at age 5, he's in the 50th percentile for both. My husband and I think he's the one in the best shape of the entire family. So...as long as she's eating healthy food, she's not necessarily destined to be "big" her entire life.

Using BMI as a guideline is about as effective as using percentiles, norms, and growth charts. Since your daughter is tall for her age, as you know, you can kinda throw the charts out the window. BMI is similar - good for average populations who fit a very typical mode. Would you consider Shaquille O'Neal morbidly obese? If you focused solely on BMI charts, then he would be considered so.

I'd focus more on what your pediatrician has to say about the issue and if he/she isn't worried then you shouldn't be either. If you become totally weight and numbers obsessed, then you risk the potential of making your daughter super-sensitive to body image and weight, which could spawn self-doubt and perhaps lead to eating disorders and risky dieting in the future.

Continue to feed her healthy foods and including play/exercise in her daily routine. I'm sure she'll be just fine!

I am concerned when I read "I am virtually obsessed with everything she puts in her mouth." I realize this is an internet forum and that I can only read the text but to me this sounds like you want to limit the amount of food that your child takes in during her growing years. Teaching healthy eating habits at this age is one thing, but as long as you are feeding healthy foods and she is growing is all that matters. If you are feeding her french fries and chicken strips for all of her meals I would question obesity but again that is really poor eating habits. Dieting should not be an issue at 2 y/o. My SIL is limiting her childrens food intake in order to keep them slim. When her infant was around me she would literally come to me to feed her when I was feeding my son- her kids were hungry. I don't know that starving them today is the answer, I think teaching them to make healthy choices is going to be the most important thing because down the road- they are still going to be hungry, and just need to know how to deal with it. Her kids end up eating all sorts of junk food outside of their meals because she hasn't given them enough during their meals.

Relax! Offer healthy food with a treat once and a while and she will be fine. My daughter was born at 10lbs and always off the charts!! She's now 15 and slim and healthy. I have always taught my children about healthy eatting, but we did have McDonalds and treats. It is more important to teach children about healthy foods and moderation when it comes to treats.
Talk to yur doctor for suggestions. Also, maybe go to a nutritionist. We went to a nutritionist when my oldest daughter became vegan. It was a great help.
Cheryl

Hi L.,

There is no reason for you to worry so much about your daughter's weight. You are right in your thinking, the more you focus on it, the more it is going to negatively effect her as she grows older. Continue making healthy food choices, cut out junk food and promote a healthy, active lifestyle and you will have no need to obsess about it. If you have spoken to your pediatrician and they are not concerned, I would let it rest.

My daughter was a big girl when she two as well (people used to comment all the time). It made me feel concerned too. She is now four years old, and she has grown into her "baby fat." Your daughter will too.

Try to relax!

We have two girls - ages 4 and 6.5. The older one has always been taller, but her weight was "normal to above", so she's always been slender, but not skinny. Our younger girl is wearing size 6-6x clothing, and is average height and weight for a six year old.

As long as the height AND weight are consistent (both high or low), the doctor is right not to be concerned. The child is simply 'ahead of schedule', and everything is working OK. I have a friend with a 6yo girl who is consistently in the 10%ile for height and weight (my younger girl towers over her), but her grandmother is an excellent pediatrician, and says it's just fine.

So: Relax. Your kid is simply ahead of schedule! Not fat. We're raising our family vegan, so this has been one issue we've looked into a whole bunch. She has no weight problem, just an age problem, having a body of an older kid ahead of schedule. Eventually, it works itself out, but trying to adjust it ahead of schedule is going to cause trouble later.

HI L.,

I am a nutritionist. All the previous posters and your pedi are correct. Try not to focus on her weight--as long as she is growing consistently, then that is great. I know it is hard, as I now have a LO--and I too have a hard time not focusing on it because you hear so much about obesity (plus that is my focus in what I do). But you are doing a good job by offering healthy foods. It is also ok to offer what we consider those not so healthy ones every once and a while too. Otherwise, she may learn guilt at an early age (there is more to this, but hard to explain here). Just keep offering a variety of foods on a consistent schedule and you should be fine. Another good book is "Your Childs Weight: Helping Without Harming" By Ellyn Satter. I just picked this one up myself and I think it is really good. Good Luck--I am sure you are doing a great job.

My son too is at the 98 percentile for height and weight. He is 2 and a half and he looks like he is 4. We eat healthy most of the time and play hard indoors and when it is nice we play hard outside. I let him be a kid and let him eat treats sometimes too. All we can do is be active and eat healthy and hope all ends up well.

Hi L. K!

I just wanted to respond to your post and let you know that I understand everything you're thinking and feeling right now! I'm a mom-to-be, due July 4th with my first, so I don't have any children yet, but wanted to tell you my related experience from a personal level. I was a normal height growing up, but was always chubby until about 8th grade and then I slimmed down (no dieting, just nature taking it's course) Growing up we ate healthy meals at home, my parents would allow snacks like any normal kid, but I was teased sometimes because of my chubbiness (and I was the only one in my family like that. I have 5 siblings who were all slender and both my parents had average builds). But after 8th grade I was height/weight porportioned. So my point being, it's going to be ok! Just relax. I feel like putting so much emphasis on food and weight will effect your daughter, who will already have to go through the normal akwardness of school and peer pressures (especially if she continues to be tall) and may feel resentment as she gets older toward you if you continue to stress this. If the doctor tells you that she's unhealthy, that's a different story, but if you're not getting any warnings from them, then I'd say just leave it be and continue to plan healthy meals for your family and remain active. Every child grows different. I can also relate because my S.O. has BRIGHT RED hair with pale freckled skin. I was obbsessing for the first 4 months of my pregnancy, wondering and/or wishing against the red hair for my baby. But I realized that it's a vain way to think, That I'd be so focused on having an attractive child instead of a healthy one. I hope this helps!

Do you have any Thyroid issues in your family? That can play havoc with weight, it might be worth looking into. If her height and weight are in balance then you shouldn't worry, she is a big girl, if there are no health issues involved. She has stayed steady on the chart since 2 months old then at least she is consistant. My daughter was on the other end of the chart, she was tiny from day one but stayed on a steady growth pattern. Now she is 21, 5 foot, 110lbs. She will never be big but she is who she is! =)
Keep steady with a good diet and excersize, if she is prone to putting on weight then you are teaching her the best habits she can learn to affect the rest of her life. GOOD JOB! =)

Dear L.,

All I can tell you is take her to a nutritionist if that will calm your fears. She is only two. She will be just fine. The only advice I can give you is to listen to the doctor and stop being so obsessed with her weight. One of my best friends did that too. Her 13 year old daughter almost died last year battling anorexia. Both my friend and her daughter are still battling their weight issues. Just let her be a two year old and be confident that as long as she is eating the right things and getting exercise she will be just fine. Too many girls are obsessed with weight issues and end up with eating disorders. Don't let your daughter be one of them.

:)

L.,
Your pediatrician will let you know if your child's weight is becoming a problem. Your anxiety about it will eventually wear off on her, so please try to relax. Just because you and your hubby are thin doesn't mean she will always be small. As long as her height and weight are proportionate, you are fine. The more she senses weight is an issue from you, the more you are increasing her chances of an eating disorder down the road.
E.

L.-

I don't know anything about obesity, but the 90th percentile is not obese. Your child will take cues on healthy eating and exercise from you and your husband and what you do. Make sure you are both doing what you are asking of your child and the rest will come naturally. Also, relax! My daughter has been at the top of the chart, the bottom and the middle already. If you are making a big deal about this, your child will see that and it will cause her to be nervous about eating as well. Be glad your child eats, many don't and enjoy healthy eating together. Seconds are not a bad thing especially if they are healthy food. Your daughter may be doing through a growth spurt.

Also, make sure you are working with your pediatrician. Your daughter's doctor should be your partner in her health and well being. If you don't feel that your doctor is helpful, find another one. You and your child deserve it!

Sincerely,

M.

I would say if your pediatrician is not concerned, than nor should you be. I completely understand being worried about your chil'd weight, just from a different perspective. My hubby and I have always struggled with our weight ( we are now both currently abour 40lbs overweight...when our son was born we were more than a 100lbs. overwieght) that being said, we decided to lead by example and make reasonable lifestyle changes for our family ( wee can't eat chips, and expect our kids not to). My son was off the charts as well until he was two. Now he is a string bean. He is 44 inches tall and finally made 40lbs. I was very concerned the first couple of years because of our family predisposition to be heavy, and his being off the charts in terms of height and weight, and our doctor said not to worry about it as well...just when it came to seconds offer fruits and veggies instead, lots of physical activity, and snacking on healthy things like a tblspn of p.b. or yogurt and and sliced apple. Also, I know kids that tend to drink a lot of milk and juice are heavier as well. My son cannot drink milk, so that helps, and we let him have "juice"...about 1 or 2 oz with 5 or 6 oz. of water. Anyhow, I hope this helps, and don't worry, it sounds like genetics are in her favor, I am sure your pediatrician will let you know if it becomes a concern.

Hi L., My pediatrician recommended a book called "How to get your child to eat, without eating too much" by Ellen Satter. There is a section dedicated to obesity. The gist is to NOT let your child sense that you are obsessed with what she eats, etc. She will sense your nervousness and it will make the eating worse.

L.- Have you talked to your pediatrician about this?
First confirm that there IS a problem. I had a neighbor who was absolutely obsessed with her weight, to the point of being devastated when she went to a size 6 from a size 4. Her daughter had an eating disorder. Surprise surprise. Her food was restricted in an attempt to control the quantity. At one point, at age 7, she was caught behind the kitchen island downing packet after packet of ketchup. They could not go to buffets because of her binging. She is in college now and still struggles to this day.
I am not a doctor, but general thought on this is that you
offer tasty healthy food, which you say you do, (NO high fructose corn syrup!) Make/buy limited quantites of foods that you should eat moderately, so there won't be enough for seconds. Moderation, moderation, moderation. Lastly, exercise, but it has to be fun, and something she likes to do.
Mention to your pediatrician the foods you offer. Confirm that you are on the right track. I don't think you need the expense of a nutritionist, yet anyway, if your pediatrician is knowledgeable on diet.