What to do about 9-yo overeating?

[Anonymous]

If she is prepping for puberty and a bit think around the middle, do watch for where she gains the weight. If you have PCOS in the family, it could be hormonal.

Also, general rule of thumb: if the doctor isn't concerned, I am not concerned!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All girls gain weight before puberty.

...No.

[Anonymous]

I gained weight from 9 to 10, got a little belly, then thinned out and began puberty from 11-13. Was always thin before and after. Unfortunately the weight gain messed with my head and I have been obsessed with my weight in an unhealthy way ever since. My parents never criticized my weight but my family on moms side is very weight conscious and good looking, and they all talk about appearance much more than they realize. So I think you sound awesome for refraining from body talk.

[Anonymous]

My son is similar and I'm also from a family of overweight people. DH and I have struggled with our weights are entire lives. I see your daughter is already active and that's great. For my son, we've really taken the healthy and balanced eating approach. He can always have more but balance it out with having a second serving of vegetables or fruit after dinner. Relatives also say it's always a growth spurt but the doctor spoke with us last year about watching his eating habits.

[Anonymous]

I would make sure her meals have plenty of fat, protein and not too many carbs. For example, rather than making a turkey chili with a starchy side, I would offer a rich beef version with cheese, sour cream, with a salad or green beans. Or when making a sandwich, use the thinnest, most low carb bread, then generously load on the cheese, meats etc. That should help with her satiety levels and stable blood sugar. Also, only full fat dairy.

[Anonymous]

Just let her be. Is she becomes a slightly overweight adult, would that be your failure? Just love her. Her chubbiness is not a bad reflection of your parenting.

It sounds like you have given her a healthy foundation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just let her be. Is she becomes a slightly overweight adult, would that be your failure? Just love her. Her chubbiness is not a bad reflection of your parenting.

It sounds like you have given her a healthy foundation.

I'm a prior PP... this is such a nice comment, and I agree.

[Anonymous]

She sounds like a complusive eater. I was one as a child but did;t recognize it until I was an adult. I used to sneak food all the time as a kid and I was never ever hungry. Grew up in an upper middle class house. I was using food to deal with emotions too. In so many ways I still compusivly eat as a 45 year old. Making trip after trip to the pantry,to eat entire bags of food etc. But only after my kid and DH have gone to bed. I have tried hypnosis and therapy with little luck. Intensive exercise has helped some. I am not more than 15lbs overweight but its such an internal nightmare petiole have no idea. You might want to talk to a professional. This may get a lot worse as she hits 12 or 13.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When she asks for more, give her raw veggies to munch on. The sound will signal to her brain that she's eating, the munching motion will make her mouth feel like she's eating, and she'll get more food in her belly in case her body truly IS hungry.

But don't give more starches.

Stupid is as stupid does. Calories are calories.

Starches or carbs don't cause weight gain. Over consumption of calories does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When she asks for more, give her raw veggies to munch on. The sound will signal to her brain that she's eating, the munching motion will make her mouth feel like she's eating, and she'll get more food in her belly in case her body truly IS hungry.

But don't give more starches.

Stupid is as stupid does. Calories are calories.

Starches or carbs don't cause weight gain. Over consumption of calories does.

Is it really necessary to call someone stupid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When she asks for more, give her raw veggies to munch on. The sound will signal to her brain that she's eating, the munching motion will make her mouth feel like she's eating, and she'll get more food in her belly in case her body truly IS hungry.

But don't give more starches.

I always put out raw veggies and hummus before dinner if my kids are going through a hungry phase. They will tear through them and I won't worry at all about the extra munching. Some avocado slices too for good fats. And large glasses of water to help fill stomachs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When she asks for more, give her raw veggies to munch on. The sound will signal to her brain that she's eating, the munching motion will make her mouth feel like she's eating, and she'll get more food in her belly in case her body truly IS hungry.

But don't give more starches.

Stupid is as stupid does. Calories are calories.

Starches or carbs don't cause weight gain. Over consumption of calories does.

Is it really necessary to call someone stupid?

Ugly Americans. Starches and carbs cause weight gain.

[Anonymous]

I subsist on bagels, muffins and breads and am pretty thin (115 lbs, 5'6). However, I eat mostly whole grain bagels, mostly low-sugar (muffins), and almost never white bread. So no, starches and carbs don't NECESSARILY cause weight gain.

OP, if I were you I would advocate portion control, and I *would* cut out all junk, which does make one's glucose spike and cause hunger. Also, if she is using food as entertainment, you may consider talking to her about the role of food, and that it's great to enjoy it, but not to overindulge, etc. It's a really fine line with girls. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Cutting out all junk seems extreme to me. She needs to learn how to eat treats in moderation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She sounds like a complusive eater. I was one as a child but did;t recognize it until I was an adult. I used to sneak food all the time as a kid and I was never ever hungry. Grew up in an upper middle class house. I was using food to deal with emotions too. In so many ways I still compusivly eat as a 45 year old. Making trip after trip to the pantry,to eat entire bags of food etc. But only after my kid and DH have gone to bed. I have tried hypnosis and therapy with little luck. Intensive exercise has helped some. I am not more than 15lbs overweight but its such an internal nightmare petiole have no idea. You might want to talk to a professional. This may get a lot worse as she hits 12 or 13.

I would guess this is more of the issue then her actually being hungry. It's also possible she is carb sensitive and she is just the kind of person who will have to limit carbs or overeat.

As far as playing 3 sports, I have seen kids sports at age 9 and they are not that intensive. I wouldn't really count them as exercise unless during practice the kids are continually running or moving around and not waiting in a line for a turn or standing on the side lines. Girls on the Run is nice but honestly I saw many girls who complained they were tired to walked most of the practices, complained and sat down for quite a bit of time and needed very long water breaks so again unless you really see her running the whole time, don't count on it being that intensive.