Noticing very chunky young kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Extra weight takes its toll on your body in many different ways. All of my mom's friends have had to have knee/hip/ankle replacements in their 50s/early 60s due to years of being obese. So yes, being overweight is unhealthy for your body.

Ok, weirdo.

They are not a weirdo, but you are gaslighting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My one boy is a tiny stick, my other boy is average, and my girl is a bit chunky. They eat the same food. Not junk. Home cooked meals 80%. Generics.

They don't all eat the same amount of food. Clearly you see that.

+1. There is no way these kids are eating ounce for ounce the same amount of food in a day. The same amount of snacks, the same amount of seconds, same portion sizes, etc.

I’m curious about how this is supposed to play out, in your opinion. Is the parent supposed to limit portions/refuse seconds/feed different meals to the “chunky” kid? Allow snacks only for the skinny ones?

I’m envisioning a really healthy dynamic here.

If they were all eating the same, the chunky kid wouldn’t be as chunky. That kid is eating a bigger portion of snacks and/or meals than the other kids. You e never been to a playdate where one kid is ponding the strawberries way harder than any other kid? Just give them all the same sized plate of food and when it’s gone, it’s gone. If anyone is still hungry, offer baby carrots or cucumbers.

Your first sentence is scientifically false. This is the problem with this whole thread, the assumption that all bodies are the same. https://www.netflix.com/title/81436688

DP. lol at you posting Netflix fakeumentary. Most bodies are the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My one boy is a tiny stick, my other boy is average, and my girl is a bit chunky. They eat the same food. Not junk. Home cooked meals 80%. Generics.

And your daughter will always have to fight her weight more than her brothers. You just have to decide when to let her know, or just see if she figures it out for herself?

My mom has been nagging my sister about her weight for decades and all it's ever done is make them both miserable.

I imagine a lot of you were raised to be miserable about food and body image and now your passing it along to your children. What a terrible way to live.

Does anyone like being obese? Is that a good way to live?

My sister isn't obese but thanks for making assumptions.


I suspect your anxiety around body size is probably worse than actually being overweight.

You suspect? Boy do you sick at assumptions. This isn’t about me at all, moron. My aunt is morbidly obese and housebound. She’s miserable and hates her life. I’d hate to live like that.

All I said was that my mother spent so much of her life trying to worry about my sister's body. All the anxiety and control and shame did not change the size of her body. Spending so much energy worrying about someone else's size is just very unhealthy. I am not arguing that obesity doesn't impact People's health.

I have another relative who got weight loss surgery and it's definitely improved the quality of her life and her mobility. But That was her choice. I didn't spend any mental energy deciding what she showed or should not be doing or what she should or should not be eating

You wanted to talk about terrible ways to live. But you are ignoring the elephant in the room, so to speak. There’s more than one way to live a terrible life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My one boy is a tiny stick, my other boy is average, and my girl is a bit chunky. They eat the same food. Not junk. Home cooked meals 80%. Generics.

And your daughter will always have to fight her weight more than her brothers. You just have to decide when to let her know, or just see if she figures it out for herself?

My mom has been nagging my sister about her weight for decades and all it's ever done is make them both miserable.

I imagine a lot of you were raised to be miserable about food and body image and now your passing it along to your children. What a terrible way to live.

Does anyone like being obese? Is that a good way to live?

My sister isn't obese but thanks for making assumptions.


I suspect your anxiety around body size is probably worse than actually being overweight.

You suspect? Boy do you sick at assumptions. This isn’t about me at all, moron. My aunt is morbidly obese and housebound. She’s miserable and hates her life. I’d hate to live like that.

All I said was that my mother spent so much of her life trying to worry about my sister's body. All the anxiety and control and shame did not change the size of her body. Spending so much energy worrying about someone else's size is just very unhealthy. I am not arguing that obesity doesn't impact People's health.

I have another relative who got weight loss surgery and it's definitely improved the quality of her life and her mobility. But That was her choice. I didn't spend any mental energy deciding what she showed or should not be doing or what she should or should not be eating

You wanted to talk about terrible ways to live. But you are ignoring the elephant in the room, so to speak. There’s more than one way to live a terrible life.

Thought terminating cliche.

[Anonymous]

I have 2 kids, we eat 90% home cooked organic Whole Foods meals, lots of veggies and lean proteins, normal amount of carbs and overall a Mediterranean diet. Dessert is a piece of dark chocolate or a fruit. We eat out once a week to a simple quality restaurant.

My girl is stick thin and we have to push her to eat her meals. My son is chubby and his appetite for carbs seems insatiable. He doesn’t have a sweet tooth but will beg and beg for more pasta, more rice, a bit more beans and cheese etc.. when he encounters chips or junk food at a party you can see he could easily gorge on them every day (he knows not to for his health but you can see he doesn’t have the same satiety for it as the other average kids).

And yes they are both active and involved in tons of sports.

I am sure if my son was in another family he would already be more than chubby and be overweight or obese (right now if he is dressed you would not call him chubby, at the pool like OP you would see his soft dimpled belly).

The boy is HUNGRY. He talks about food all the time. He plans his next meals. He makes recipes in his mind. This is no mindless junk eating. And neither his dad nor me are like that. I can’t restrict a 10 y boy food intake, veggies and protein at meals are pretty much unrestricted but we only allow one serving of carbs, that’s the only way to keep us weight from creeping up.

When I look at family history, on my DH they had a lot of weight issues already 2 generations ago. I think he took from them and his appetite is driven by his metabolism.

Yes CICO is key but hunger and energy exerted when he has to be active (how much he will run when he is at his soccer practice) is driven by genetics. Parents cannot control that (and he cannot either)

[Anonymous]

It’s ok to be hungry. Better to be hungry than fat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids, we eat 90% home cooked organic Whole Foods meals, lots of veggies and lean proteins, normal amount of carbs and overall a Mediterranean diet. Dessert is a piece of dark chocolate or a fruit. We eat out once a week to a simple quality restaurant.

My girl is stick thin and we have to push her to eat her meals. My son is chubby and his appetite for carbs seems insatiable. He doesn’t have a sweet tooth but will beg and beg for more pasta, more rice, a bit more beans and cheese etc.. when he encounters chips or junk food at a party you can see he could easily gorge on them every day (he knows not to for his health but you can see he doesn’t have the same satiety for it as the other average kids).

And yes they are both active and involved in tons of sports.

I am sure if my son was in another family he would already be more than chubby and be overweight or obese (right now if he is dressed you would not call him chubby, at the pool like OP you would see his soft dimpled belly).

The boy is HUNGRY. He talks about food all the time. He plans his next meals. He makes recipes in his mind. This is no mindless junk eating. And neither his dad nor me are like that. I can’t restrict a 10 y boy food intake, veggies and protein at meals are pretty much unrestricted but we only allow one serving of carbs, that’s the only way to keep us weight from creeping up.

When I look at family history, on my DH they had a lot of weight issues already 2 generations ago. I think he took from them and his appetite is driven by his metabolism.

Yes CICO is key but hunger and energy exerted when he has to be active (how much he will run when he is at his soccer practice) is driven by genetics. Parents cannot control that (and he cannot either)

And to add : I think a certain % of the population has always been like that and prone to gain weight (10-20%?). There was always one or 2 overweight kids in our grandparents classes. But now the environmental disrupters (chemical or behavioral ones) are making it way worse. By that I mean: don’t oversimplify, yes we can make sure more kids are not obese but no, not all kids are genetically facing the same risk and it is not only about permissive or virtuous parents.

When you face super hungry kids without the same satiety breaks as other kids it is very hard to manage (and I say that as a UMC mom with all the tools and knowledge and money at my disposal to ensure my kid doesn’t become overweight). I take no pride in my daughter’s thinness and no shame in my son’s Chubbiness. They are not about me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it is still shocking to me OP. Especially when I see chunky kids with thin parents.

But we aren't allowed to talk about it and have to just pretend we don't notice.

This is (above) one thing. And to come on and start a whole discussion is another. Have you nothing better to focus on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids, we eat 90% home cooked organic Whole Foods meals, lots of veggies and lean proteins, normal amount of carbs and overall a Mediterranean diet. Dessert is a piece of dark chocolate or a fruit. We eat out once a week to a simple quality restaurant.

My girl is stick thin and we have to push her to eat her meals. My son is chubby and his appetite for carbs seems insatiable. He doesn’t have a sweet tooth but will beg and beg for more pasta, more rice, a bit more beans and cheese etc.. when he encounters chips or junk food at a party you can see he could easily gorge on them every day (he knows not to for his health but you can see he doesn’t have the same satiety for it as the other average kids).

And yes they are both active and involved in tons of sports.

I am sure if my son was in another family he would already be more than chubby and be overweight or obese (right now if he is dressed you would not call him chubby, at the pool like OP you would see his soft dimpled belly).

The boy is HUNGRY. He talks about food all the time. He plans his next meals. He makes recipes in his mind. This is no mindless junk eating. And neither his dad nor me are like that. I can’t restrict a 10 y boy food intake, veggies and protein at meals are pretty much unrestricted but we only allow one serving of carbs, that’s the only way to keep us weight from creeping up.

When I look at family history, on my DH they had a lot of weight issues already 2 generations ago. I think he took from them and his appetite is driven by his metabolism.

Yes CICO is key but hunger and energy exerted when he has to be active (how much he will run when he is at his soccer practice) is driven by genetics. Parents cannot control that (and he cannot either)

Is something going on at home which causes them stress or upset? Both those approaches to eating seem like a stress/anxiety/depression/trauma response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids, we eat 90% home cooked organic Whole Foods meals, lots of veggies and lean proteins, normal amount of carbs and overall a Mediterranean diet. Dessert is a piece of dark chocolate or a fruit. We eat out once a week to a simple quality restaurant.

My girl is stick thin and we have to push her to eat her meals. My son is chubby and his appetite for carbs seems insatiable. He doesn’t have a sweet tooth but will beg and beg for more pasta, more rice, a bit more beans and cheese etc.. when he encounters chips or junk food at a party you can see he could easily gorge on them every day (he knows not to for his health but you can see he doesn’t have the same satiety for it as the other average kids).

And yes they are both active and involved in tons of sports.

I am sure if my son was in another family he would already be more than chubby and be overweight or obese (right now if he is dressed you would not call him chubby, at the pool like OP you would see his soft dimpled belly).

The boy is HUNGRY. He talks about food all the time. He plans his next meals. He makes recipes in his mind. This is no mindless junk eating. And neither his dad nor me are like that. I can’t restrict a 10 y boy food intake, veggies and protein at meals are pretty much unrestricted but we only allow one serving of carbs, that’s the only way to keep us weight from creeping up.

When I look at family history, on my DH they had a lot of weight issues already 2 generations ago. I think he took from them and his appetite is driven by his metabolism.

Yes CICO is key but hunger and energy exerted when he has to be active (how much he will run when he is at his soccer practice) is driven by genetics. Parents cannot control that (and he cannot either)

Is something going on at home which causes them stress or upset? Both those approaches to eating seem like a stress/anxiety/depression/trauma response.

They don't to me. Many overweight and obese people will relate to the "food noise" and constantly planning and thinking about recipes and their next meal. It's great that you are not set that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids, we eat 90% home cooked organic Whole Foods meals, lots of veggies and lean proteins, normal amount of carbs and overall a Mediterranean diet. Dessert is a piece of dark chocolate or a fruit. We eat out once a week to a simple quality restaurant.

My girl is stick thin and we have to push her to eat her meals. My son is chubby and his appetite for carbs seems insatiable. He doesn’t have a sweet tooth but will beg and beg for more pasta, more rice, a bit more beans and cheese etc.. when he encounters chips or junk food at a party you can see he could easily gorge on them every day (he knows not to for his health but you can see he doesn’t have the same satiety for it as the other average kids).

And yes they are both active and involved in tons of sports.

I am sure if my son was in another family he would already be more than chubby and be overweight or obese (right now if he is dressed you would not call him chubby, at the pool like OP you would see his soft dimpled belly).

The boy is HUNGRY. He talks about food all the time. He plans his next meals. He makes recipes in his mind. This is no mindless junk eating. And neither his dad nor me are like that. I can’t restrict a 10 y boy food intake, veggies and protein at meals are pretty much unrestricted but we only allow one serving of carbs, that’s the only way to keep us weight from creeping up.

When I look at family history, on my DH they had a lot of weight issues already 2 generations ago. I think he took from them and his appetite is driven by his metabolism.

Yes CICO is key but hunger and energy exerted when he has to be active (how much he will run when he is at his soccer practice) is driven by genetics. Parents cannot control that (and he cannot either)

I would guess he just doesn’t like the food you cook. Let him make some choices. Let him go shopping and pick out some food that he enjoys. And fruit is not desert.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids, we eat 90% home cooked organic Whole Foods meals, lots of veggies and lean proteins, normal amount of carbs and overall a Mediterranean diet. Dessert is a piece of dark chocolate or a fruit. We eat out once a week to a simple quality restaurant.

My girl is stick thin and we have to push her to eat her meals. My son is chubby and his appetite for carbs seems insatiable. He doesn’t have a sweet tooth but will beg and beg for more pasta, more rice, a bit more beans and cheese etc.. when he encounters chips or junk food at a party you can see he could easily gorge on them every day (he knows not to for his health but you can see he doesn’t have the same satiety for it as the other average kids).

And yes they are both active and involved in tons of sports.

I am sure if my son was in another family he would already be more than chubby and be overweight or obese (right now if he is dressed you would not call him chubby, at the pool like OP you would see his soft dimpled belly).

The boy is HUNGRY. He talks about food all the time. He plans his next meals. He makes recipes in his mind. This is no mindless junk eating. And neither his dad nor me are like that. I can’t restrict a 10 y boy food intake, veggies and protein at meals are pretty much unrestricted but we only allow one serving of carbs, that’s the only way to keep us weight from creeping up.

When I look at family history, on my DH they had a lot of weight issues already 2 generations ago. I think he took from them and his appetite is driven by his metabolism.

Yes CICO is key but hunger and energy exerted when he has to be active (how much he will run when he is at his soccer practice) is driven by genetics. Parents cannot control that (and he cannot either)

Is something going on at home which causes them stress or upset? Both those approaches to eating seem like a stress/anxiety/depression/trauma response.

No, nothing going on. They are both happy kids with very different appetites and body types.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids, we eat 90% home cooked organic Whole Foods meals, lots of veggies and lean proteins, normal amount of carbs and overall a Mediterranean diet. Dessert is a piece of dark chocolate or a fruit. We eat out once a week to a simple quality restaurant.

My girl is stick thin and we have to push her to eat her meals. My son is chubby and his appetite for carbs seems insatiable. He doesn’t have a sweet tooth but will beg and beg for more pasta, more rice, a bit more beans and cheese etc.. when he encounters chips or junk food at a party you can see he could easily gorge on them every day (he knows not to for his health but you can see he doesn’t have the same satiety for it as the other average kids).

And yes they are both active and involved in tons of sports.

I am sure if my son was in another family he would already be more than chubby and be overweight or obese (right now if he is dressed you would not call him chubby, at the pool like OP you would see his soft dimpled belly).

The boy is HUNGRY. He talks about food all the time. He plans his next meals. He makes recipes in his mind. This is no mindless junk eating. And neither his dad nor me are like that. I can’t restrict a 10 y boy food intake, veggies and protein at meals are pretty much unrestricted but we only allow one serving of carbs, that’s the only way to keep us weight from creeping up.

When I look at family history, on my DH they had a lot of weight issues already 2 generations ago. I think he took from them and his appetite is driven by his metabolism.

Yes CICO is key but hunger and energy exerted when he has to be active (how much he will run when he is at his soccer practice) is driven by genetics. Parents cannot control that (and he cannot either)

I would guess he just doesn’t like the food you cook. Let him make some choices. Let him go shopping and pick out some food that he enjoys. And fruit is not desert.

He loves the food we cook and he takes a very active part in defining the menu. But some of the foods he love, he cannot stop eating them (carbs). For example, he really likes roasted chicken, he will eat a reasonable portion of it and be full. He also really loves homemade spaghetti bolognese, but because it is spaghetti he will eat a gigantic portion.

Both can be nutritious meals (there are veggies with all this), but he can still gain weight if we don't monitor his portions of carbs and let him eat whatever he wants.

And yes, fruits are a perfectly fine dessert, your comment is a bit strange. We also have cakes or ice cream on the menu some nights but in any case he doesn't have a sweet tooth and desserts are not the problem.

[Anonymous]

What is with all of these kids chains about weight? Is this really so top of mind for people? Perhaps that is part of the problem!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is with all of these kids chains about weight? Is this really so top of mind for people? Perhaps that is part of the problem!

What year do you live in? Obesity in children is a huge issue. Hello Michelle Obama’s ENTIRE PLATFORM for 8 years beginning almost 20 years ago!