3rd Grade DD Has a Pot Belly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a troll. Her ped was concerned anout her weight gain (which surprised us) and wanted her back for 3-mos follow up but DW refused/ignored the appointment.

You are a grown man, you can call the pediatrician and make the appointment yourself.

I hear your excuse now "but I don't know their number! I have to go to work!" - google it, and call and make an appointment, and take the morning off to take your kid to the appointment.
Next excuse "but she can't miss school!" - it's ok, just call the school and tell them she has a doctor's appointment and you will drop her off late. She won't miss anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Aren’t fruits full of sugar?

Yes but unless the kid is also diabetic that doesn’t matter.

Sugar = high calories + easy to overeat

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guarantee you will give her a lifelong weight complex if you bring it up. Honestly how would you feel if she got an eating disorder?

If her pediatrician isn’t worried at her annual checkups you shouldn’t be worried either.

Oh sorry I didn’t see that the pediatrician said something

Honestly I would consider a different pediatrician. A pot belly sounds totally normal. If two say there is an issue, okay. But even then, be so careful about encouraging her to focus on weight in any way at all. Dieting leads to weight gain and I’m guessing that’s the last thing you want.

Oh my god, you are ridiculous. Presumably the pediatrician was concerned NOT about the pot belly, but rather rapid weight gain, or weight gain compared to height increase, or any other number of things. OP should have followed up and taken the child to the follow up appointment like a normal person.

[Anonymous]

No. My parents talked to me about my weight. Your wife if doing the right thing, don’t do it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Aren’t fruits full of sugar?

Yes but unless the kid is also diabetic that doesn’t matter.

Sugar = high calories + easy to overeat

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/the-sugar-in-fruit-doesnt-make-it-bad-for-you-despite-some-trendy-diet-claims/2019/04/15/5ad3ef84-5b12-11e9-a00e-050dc7b82693_story.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's more noticeable now but I'm sure it's been there for a while as these things don't happen overnight. Can I as her dad say something about it to encourage her to lose it? DW does the cooking and we eat healthy but DD has a big appetite I think in part due to having a teen big brother that influenced her idea of portion size. DW is not interested in speaking to DD about her growing waist at all. I haven't said anything either but wonder if/what to do to get DW on board or tackle it on my own.

Say nothing!

On weekends encourage walks, hikes, etc... Lazer tag, anything that you can do together.

i'm guessing you are the picture of a excellent human in perfect physical shape LOL....

[Anonymous]

Here is my experience OP and I am sure I will be trashed for it.

I grew up in Europe where women are usually a bit smaller than the average American woman. I have always been slim and both my parents don’t have issues with weight. I have always done sports and ate very healthy. Around 12 I started gaining weight. I was never fat (fat from it), but I put on enough weight for my parents to notice and be concerned. They were really worried and started putting me on a scale every day. My mom has always been beautiful and thin and she was my role model.
All of this did not have a negative impact in my life. I lost the weight I had gained within a summer and realized I could not eat everything I wanted anymore. Looking good (and being healthy) is very important to me and I think it helped me a lot being confident and happy (not the only reasons I am happy of course).

I have several friends in the US that are overweight and they ALL hated and it HS impacted their lives tremendously.
Yes, I think looking good is important (not as important as being happy and healthy of course, but still important).


I am very thankful that my parents addressed the issue at the time because I see how many adults struggle with their weight.

If I were you, I would say something

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a troll. Her ped was concerned anout her weight gain (which surprised us) and wanted her back for 3-mos follow up but DW refused/ignored the appointment.

You are a grown man, you can call the pediatrician and make the appointment yourself.

I hear your excuse now "but I don't know their number! I have to go to work!" - google it, and call and make an appointment, and take the morning off to take your kid to the appointment.
Next excuse "but she can't miss school!" - it's ok, just call the school and tell them she has a doctor's appointment and you will drop her off late. She won't miss anything.

Actually none of the above. See the 02/18/2020 16:39 post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the idea that so many people are saying to never say anything to her about her weight or her eating are in lala land. You really think she will be happy and healthy and have no body image or eating issues as an obese tween / teen? you rally think moist obese people are unaware they have a weight problem and just go through life on cloud 9 because no one ever commented on their weight or intake.

If your kids teeth were rotted black would you not say or do anything and just pretend you didn't notice because who cares about dental health as log as you don't say anything then she won't know she has bad teeth and will will be hunky dory?

It is just weight. It isn't a big deal unless you make it one by acting like talking about weight is some kind of horrific act. People who are horrified about talking about weight are the same people whose kids grow up with eating disorders and weight problems and poor body image.

You can’t be so dense to think weight and cavities re the same thing. One can be fixed with regular checkups and a couple of extra visits do the dentist. The other is a lifestyle issue, and highly documented to result in eating disorders and lifetime body image issues if not handled appropriately.

[Anonymous]

If you say something the two most likely outcomes are 1. She ends up fat; or 2. She ends up with an eating disorder. Or actually 3. Both.

Don’t say anything. But quietly provide opportunities for exercise and serve healthy meals without being crazy about it.

[Anonymous]

OP, how active is your daughter? Focus on activities you can get her involved in. Dance, swimming, karate.. or go spend time riding bikes with her or throwing a ball or frisbee. Show her that taking care of herself is fun and be positive. Absolutely don’t focus on what she’s eating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Aren’t fruits full of sugar?

Yes but unless the kid is also diabetic that doesn’t matter.

Sugar = high calories + easy to overeat

Please educate yourself on the food groups. And stop giving out nutritional advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aren’t fruits full of sugar?

Sure, if you have an eating disorder. No one ever got fat from too many apples.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I assume this is a troll, but if not you should talk to her pediatrician.

Yes. I had swayback as a child and had to swim and do back stretches? to help. I had a potbelly due to posture.

[Anonymous]

Like others have said, the thread on upping fruits and vegetables and getting 90 minutes of physical activity each day is a good one. I would also add that I have a kid who eats too quickly and so doesn’t feel full until he’s already eaten too much. We “cured” this by doing half portions of food (half as much as we think he really needs) with a 16 oz glass of water. He must finish the water before he gets seconds of anything (which are really second halves). The water fills him up a bit plus finishing it slows him down and that alone helped drop him from 85-90%ile BMI to 65-70%ile. He’s a big kid — 99%ile for height too and incredibly dense/solid, but now pediatrician is not concerned.