The first eight weeks of covid lock down my kids gained weight - I was so surprised bc we only added some Minor treats but I realized they were constantly moving at school and home only for designated times. I had to think strategically about how to shift this without ever discussing weight - ever - so I decided as a family heart health is important - and our goal is to make sure we feed that needs. So I moved dessert out of reach for all of us - we stopped things like juice (which we started during covid) and moved major dessert to Sunday nights w my parents and smaller desserts to lunch dinner (like one small chocolate). I like modeling moderation so chose that / dessert twice a week like you is fine too - as long as everyone is doing it - vs your husband is still eating dessert everyday so it seems like others are being punished. Finally we upped activity - I put them in camp, we added a family walk, we all wore fitbits and had fun looking at our steps and heart rates. Honestly I’ve lost 20 lbs during covid and my kids don’t know and it’s never been discussed. They thinned out over the summer too. I feel like I have a narrow window to embed great life time habits of fruits vegetables and daily exercise. Also noticed w my eight year olds she needs a lot fewer snacks so she’s now either skipping snack or going for something like a banana instead of a big granola bar

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read the Obesity Code especially the childhood obesity chapter. There’s only one study ever that has had success changing juvenile weights. It’s described in the book.

Can you summarize? What worked in that study?

1. There is a genetic link to obesity.

2. Kids snack on too many empty carbs. Don't give your kid endless snacks with tons of carbs like goldfish, white bread, sugar free soda, fruit juice.

My mom taught me that nothing tastes as good as being skinny feels. I have made myself throw up after eating large meals or over 15 years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read the Obesity Code especially the childhood obesity chapter. There’s only one study ever that has had success changing juvenile weights. It’s described in the book.

Can you summarize? What worked in that study?

Jason Fung is not a dietitian, he is a nephrologist! Who has lost his mind and thinks keto is good for your kidney! I was just doing keto for a month and my creatine levels went up! Surely, you would think nephrologist would know something about eating too much meat and fat! Please, op, do not listen to the Jason Fung pp! She is not your kid. She was overweight and lost it with keto and IF and is now promoting this insanity that even multi-grain bread and carbs are bad for people. Just say no to her insanity!

#1. Pandemic. I'd say a large portion of people have put on some amount of weight.

#2. Kids grow in weird ways. Give her some time, she may shoot up and inch or two in what seems like overnight and re-proportion.

#3. Inspire by modeling. Family exercise (walks, dance parties, youtube videos, etc). Healthy meals (let them help cook, choose a menu together, etc).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If all these 8-year-olds are gaining weight, as posted by several pps, doesn't that mean that 8-year-olds are meant to gain some weight? Before a growth spurt? Not knowing how much weight they are gaining, of course, but if not a ton, isn't that kind of rule then? Gain weight, grow in height?

No, it's the covid-15. Eight year olds aren't meant to gain a tummy.

I started my period at 11 and was 5'7" by that time. Looked back at pictures and I definitely put on weight before preparing for a major pre puberty growth spurt. Was naturally thin as a rail during high school, no matter how much I ate. Have to watch every single thing I eat as an adult.

If I look at pictures of the relatives I look like, the same pattern is there throughout their lives as well.

Anonymous wrote:Read the Obesity Code especially the childhood obesity chapter. There’s only one study ever that has had success changing juvenile weights. It’s described in the book.

Can you summarize? What worked in that study?

What does her doctor say? Could you enforce healthier eating habits without mentioning that the purpose is to lose weight? You could all start eating healthier together. It doesn’t matter what her friends eat. If you know that she does consume more calories than she should be and that there are bad eating habits involved then I don’t think there is anything wrong with introducing better things. You could make it fun, involved her in meal planning and grocery shopping. Don’t cut out deserts completely but reduce the frequency, smaller portions and swap for better brands. I don’t tell my 6 year old that excess deserts and snacks will make you gain weight, but I say that it isn’t good for our stomach and it also makes out blood sick. Which as someone with insulin resistance is true, it does make my blood ‘bad’

Anonymous wrote:If all these 8-year-olds are gaining weight, as posted by several pps, doesn't that mean that 8-year-olds are meant to gain some weight? Before a growth spurt? Not knowing how much weight they are gaining, of course, but if not a ton, isn't that kind of rule then? Gain weight, grow in height?

Sampling bias and not representative of the general population [of 8 year olds]; granted, being "normal" is not inherently the same as being healthy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If all these 8-year-olds are gaining weight, as posted by several pps, doesn't that mean that 8-year-olds are meant to gain some weight? Before a growth spurt? Not knowing how much weight they are gaining, of course, but if not a ton, isn't that kind of rule then? Gain weight, grow in height?

No, it's the covid-15. Eight year olds aren't meant to gain a tummy.

I used to grow a potbelly, and then shoot up a couple of inches and thin out again. Started in ES. My mom would see it, and prepare for a growth spurt.

Anonymous wrote:If all these 8-year-olds are gaining weight, as posted by several pps, doesn't that mean that 8-year-olds are meant to gain some weight? Before a growth spurt? Not knowing how much weight they are gaining, of course, but if not a ton, isn't that kind of rule then? Gain weight, grow in height?

No, it's the covid-15. Eight year olds aren't meant to gain a tummy.

If all these 8-year-olds are gaining weight, as posted by several pps, doesn't that mean that 8-year-olds are meant to gain some weight? Before a growth spurt? Not knowing how much weight they are gaining, of course, but if not a ton, isn't that kind of rule then? Gain weight, grow in height?

My 8 yr old is also getting a little plump. I’m reducing frequency of desserts but honestly for us filling out a bit oven comes before a major spurt in height so I’m just rebalancing slightly and waiting / watching. My mom got her period at 10 so I’m also making sure to use this time as her body changes a little to talk to her about hygiene and how bodies change and answer questions that come up.

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.

+1

Start buying fewer of those snacks though. Make sure cut veggies and fruit are always available. Make those the easy access foods.

Try to incorporate more fat and protein. Try breakfast smoothies with Greek yogurt, frozen berries, and protein powder.

If you have a yard, get some awesome new toy that gets her outside. Even if she’s not being super active outdoors, being outdoors generally reduces snack cravings. You’re not going to want a snack while you’re on a tire swing or zip line but you would want one while you do a lot of indoor screen-related activities.

Anonymous wrote:Bodies work the same! Rare is the body that has that many issues, that is just refusing to admit reality. Common in the U.S. with people normalizing being overweight.
Her body gets too many calories, hence weight gain. OP provides these calories but wants to put the blame on her kid by talking to her. No, op fix what you messed up.
Presuming your 8-year-old doesn't have a credit card with her own funds and is not utilizing uber and instacart to get her snacks, most of her food is provided by you. Way to blame the victim.

Actually bodies to not work the same. See adopted twin studies. Adopted twins are obese if their parents were despite thin adoptive parents.