What can I say to DD about getting chubby?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing you say will come out right. Diet and exercise. She can't eat what you don't buy, so stop buying snacks. Have fruits and veggies out at all time, and lead by example. Adopt smaller portions at meals (most people serve too much). You didn't mention soft drinks, but if you are drinking anything other than water in your house, stop! Ride bikes together or take up walking or running and tell her you want her to train with you to help you keep your pace. Go hiking every weekend.

+1

[Anonymous]

A pack of goldfish at lunch isn’t making her heavy. My guess is she has a carb heavy diet like many kids, but her metabolism isn’t as fast as her friends. My son gained weight starting at that age—he loved cereal and waffles for breakfast and then he was hungry the rest of the day. We focus on eggs and meat now and it helps.

[Anonymous]

It's normal for kids that age to put on weight. She's probably preparing for a growth spurt.

[Anonymous]

Maybe buy her diet books and criticize “fatties” when you see them to give her a hint?

Duh. You say nothing and just provide nutritious meals and a loving household. Don’t mess her up.

[Anonymous]

Say nothing. Buy only healthy food and keep a very limited amount of treats in the house. Do a family walk every day sometime, plus try to get her to play outside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's gained weight during the pandemic. So have lots of kids and adults.

This isn't a problem until after the pandemic is 100% over and she is back to daily PE and regular life. Then worry about it.

Disagree. My nephew who is 7 was a big kid also in the 90% with maybe pinch 2 inches on his belly now. Well since March, he has gained a lot of weight with a beer belly, is now in the obese range, and his pediatrician says he needs to lose weight at 7. Childhood type 2 diabetes is a huge problem in this country in obese kids.

So OP, you are doing the right thing to be concerned, take action, and ask for advice.

[Anonymous]

I saw my daughter's gaining due to this sedentary lifestyle in May. I ditched some junk food like junky cereals my husband was buying and did oatmeal for my teen and granola for my toddler or Honey Bunches of Oats with almonds. It is better than the super sugary stuff but she won't eat oatmeal. I did a fun thing called, Try me, and once a week we try a new fruit or vegetable. Now, my kids eat Kiwi, Starfruit, pomegranate, and mangoes. I cut portions and make balanced dinners sometimes with no carbs with it. Also, my 4 yo drinks no juice as she was the one gaining weight the fastest. I allow the teen a few cups of Cran Grape a week, as she was obsessed with juice. I only drink water with my toddler. And, every break we can get, we are outside walking, riding bikes, and hiking. I feel that we have done much better. The teen now even does Pilates with me. I am newly overweight due to very little movement for months after a surgery and harsh meds, so she is helping me get back to my normal fit self.

[Anonymous]

If you are fat, she will be fat. Just facts of genetics and environment. You have to be healthy together.

[Anonymous]

My dad did a pretty good job with this- he tried to teach me Self control and discipline, portion control, and pointed to exercise as a way of getting and keeping fit. He was pretty tactful and low key and while I do struggle with my weight I hear his gentle voice and feel his gentle nudges and it helps a lot

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She's gained weight during the pandemic. So have lots of kids and adults.

This isn't a problem until after the pandemic is 100% over and she is back to daily PE and regular life. Then worry about it.

Disagree. My nephew who is 7 was a big kid also in the 90% with maybe pinch 2 inches on his belly now. Well since March, he has gained a lot of weight with a beer belly, is now in the obese range, and his pediatrician says he needs to lose weight at 7. Childhood type 2 diabetes is a huge problem in this country in obese kids.

So OP, you are doing the right thing to be concerned, take action, and ask for advice.

My son is a type I diabetic. I've literally never met a child that was type 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are fat, she will be fat. Just facts of genetics and environment. You have to be healthy together.

This. It is rare to see an overweight kid and thin parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing. You say nothing. There is no good way to tell her to lose weight. You model a healthy lifestyle and get her moving. And say nothing.

+infinity.

[Anonymous]

Work on being active every day, multiple times. My daughter was a bit chubby going into the pandemic. We instituted cardio 3 times a day- a mile walk right before school to clear our heads befriend class, 1.5-2.5 mike walk at lunch and another couple miles in the evening. Some days we run instead of one of the walks. We also started eating healthier- more home cooked meals, lots of veggies and fruits. She helps me plan meals and cook. She has seen major improvement in her BMI and I have lost 15 lbs!

[Anonymous]

Many kids at that age grow out before they grow up. Say nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She's gained weight during the pandemic. So have lots of kids and adults.

This isn't a problem until after the pandemic is 100% over and she is back to daily PE and regular life. Then worry about it.

This is absolutely NOT true. If anything, it is more important than ever to maintain physical activity and a healthy diet. Few people under the age of 85 are at risk of dying from COVID unless they have one or more preexisting conditions.

Putting your health on the back burner until the pandemic is 100% over (which is unknown) is literally the opposite of what you should be doing.