My pre teen is overweight

[Anonymous]

Tricky. Doctor said she’s obese. I’d say she overweight. Child is a sugar hound and carb loads. Doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with her body.

How to manage more exercise (she’s not doing anything at the moment) and food choices while not giving her a complex?

[Anonymous]

She needs to develop a complex.

[Anonymous]

You control the vast majority of her diet whether you want to believe that or not. Make changes at home. Sign her up for activities and a good summer camp that will get her active. Didn't your doctor give you resources? Docs are useless when it comes to nutrition or weight. If she's already obese, I'm sure there are a bunch of obvious changes you can make that will make a big difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She needs to develop a complex.

Sadly I agree. At some point she will care.

In the meantime where is she getting all the sugar and carbs? Just stop buying them!

[Anonymous]

I call troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I call troll.

Why? Very common problem that many households deals with.

[Anonymous]

Stop buying the sweets and change everyone’s diet in the house.

[Anonymous]

Listen to the doctors obese opinion and not your own. Your simply use to her weight and aren’t looking at it from his view point.

[Anonymous]

You go on a family wide health kick and stop buying junk.

Tell her she has to sign up for one activity that is physical and give her a wide range of options.

[Anonymous]

Join the Y and go to exercise classes with her on the weekend.

[Anonymous]

Why are you focused on the vocabulary difference between overweight and obese. You are adding a subtle value judgment, which is part of what will make this hard to fix.

She does need more activity. That will cut into noshing time and expstablish good habits. How about a family gym membership?

[Anonymous]

Exercise is only a small part of the battle. Food is 80% of it. You might be able to overcome a bad diet with exercise while young with a screaming metabolism but that won’t last for long.

[Anonymous]

Family walks/hikes. Make it your New Years resolution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Family walks/hikes. Make it your New Years resolution.

Agree with this.

Also talk about it in terms of being healthy not weight loss. Not sure what snacks and meals she eats now but make them healthier and don't deny sugar but make it a dessert food not a snack food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Listen to the doctors obese opinion and not your own. Your simply use to her weight and aren’t looking at it from his view point.

I’ve seen many people with fairly obese children say things like “it’s just baby fat, I wish her pediatrician would stop bringing it up!” I think once people get used to how their kids look - that’s their new normal and it’s hard to get them to consider weight objectively.