My 3-year-old is "at risk for overweight"

[Anonymous]

Maybe serve on smaller plates? Don't offer and maybe he won't ask for a second helping every time? Definitely whole grain everything, since it makes you feel fuller.

It will be very hard to limit his caloric intake since he has a twin - he will feel left out.
However, this is what my aunt had to do with her middle child, who became obese as a teen. Her two others children were skinny and could eat anything, so it made for difficult dinner times.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did the pediatrician mention it or seems concerned? If not, and it is just the words on the print out, then I think you are overreacting. If you are concerned, email the doc. But some kids truly ARE big-boned. I have a DS who always weighed a lot and ate a ton and he was slightly chubby for about a year at age 12 before his massive growth spurt into puberty. Other than that short span, he has always been average proportions, but very heavy. He is just muscular and dense. He is now a Navy Seal and still muscular and strong. DH is the same and jokes that men in his family are built like Clydesdales.

The doctor said nothing about the weight, but he is a 20-something resident, so he is relatively inexperienced.

I would email him and tell him your concern based on the numbers and asked if he thinks you should change anything. Include the information about your child's diet and activity level.

[Anonymous]

How much does he weigh? I really wouldn't worry unless it is very extreme.

[Anonymous]

If he had an unhealthy diet and was not active, I'd say change what you're doing. But it sounds like you are doing everything right, and that he is perfectly healthy. I wouldn't worry if I were you.

[Anonymous]

I was told my 3-yr old is "obese" at her check-up b/c she has a BMI of 95%.

In reaponse we have mostly eliminated liquid calories and limiting snacking.

She doesn't look obese or even overweight, but she is definitely more on the solid side (dense, but very proportional). I think BMI is not kind to those with this body type.

[Anonymous]

Just because you eat "healthy" does not mean it is real healthy. I'd cut back on juices, butter, oil and such. You may be buying healthy food but how you are preparing them may be an issue for this one child and any "snacks" even organic may not be as healthy as they appear.

[Anonymous]

If your son's diet is healthy and he is very active, I wouldn't stress about it. BMI is a tool for measuring populations, not individuals. I have a friend with a "big boy" who is not at all fat, just muscular and stocky. Keep juice and cookies as treats, keep serving the veggies, and definitely don't put your son on a diet. I'd mention it to the ped, just for peace of mind.

[Anonymous]

i have a borderline obese 8-yo.

if your son is simply "big" - meaning heavier and also taller than avg 3-yos, then i'd not worry about it. but if he's heavier but not taller, or has big tummy or chubby legs, and has been that way for a long time, then i think you are right to be worried.

[Anonymous]

Mine was 29 lbs at one year, then 30 lbs a year later (she thinned out a lot when she started walking), but since then she's been consistently in the 80th percentile and above. She was at risk for overweight, but she's been slowly slimming down since then, and the BMI has gone down. We try to limit her sweets and juices, but I also try to encourage her to be really active. Dad's family tends to be heavy for their height (but not fat) and I'm athletic but not skinny for mine. (5'8", 150.) so she was never going to be thin.

[Anonymous]

My daughter was the same at that age. I just ignored the doctor and kept feeding her normal foods. We eat quite healthily but she does have candy sometimes and icecream cones just like any other kid. We don't drink soda though.

Anyway, she's turning 6 next month and is very tall and in the normal weight range. No longer "at risk for overweight'. Kids weights will just do what they do. Don't restrict your son's diet at all just keep letting him eat what he wants and I'm sure he'll be fine.

BTW I recommend he book "Child of Mine" by Ellyn Satter on kid eating issues.

[Anonymous]

Just don't give him seconds - he's still young enough for you to help shape his eating habits and set expectations for what constitutes a "normal" meal. You know what they say - it takes the brain 20 minutes to register that the stomach has food in it. And make sure he isn't having too many calorie-dense things like cheese and nuts. Food can be homemade and nutritious and still fattening.

[Anonymous]

Thank you PPs. For reference his weight was 36lbs.

[Anonymous]

I world not make any changes involving restricting calories to a child based on a single measure, and without talking to a health professional. Kids grow unevenly--could be he outs on the verge of a growth spurt and will be as inch taller in 2 weeks.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's a good idea to encourage children to eat until they're stuffed. It teaches them bad habits that will harm them later. Some people - one of my relatives included - literally never feel full - the man will eat seconds, clear all the rest of the family's plates, then have 2 helpings of dessert and then a couple handfuls of nuts after that. Plus tea. Plus two glasses of wine. It never ends.

If DS is one of those people with an insatiable appetite, all the more reason to teach him what constitutes normal servings so he can develop those habits since they won't come naturally with the fullness cues most people have.

I don't advocate putting him on a diet - just having him eat what his siblings eat. And no seconds. Seconds are always a bad idea and a recipe for overweight.

[Anonymous]

change your thinking about what "overweight" actually means and how it happens. You child will end up with an eating disorder if you start "limiting" healthy food.