Anyone else have kids that need to lose weight as well?

Ohappydaye · #1 (**permalink**) August 15th, 2006, 02:39 PM

My daughter needs to lose about 4-5 pounds and I was just wondering if anyone else felt that their kids needed to lose weight and if so what types of things you all are doing to help them reach their goal.

I followed a couple of links someone posted to a height/weight calculator and here are my daughter's specs:

Quote:

At 7 years and 8 months:

your child is 62 pounds, and that is
at the 76th percentile for weight.

your child is 50.5 inches, and that is
at the 65th percentile for height.

I want to get her closer to the 50th %ile in regard to her weight. She is changing cheerleading groups in September, and her new group will be more labor intensive so I'm hoping the increase in activity and exercise required for this older group will help. I'm also considering enrolling her in tae kwon do.

I've made a lot of changes in her/our diet already. I've cut out white bread/pastas and only give her whole wheat/grain breads/pastas. We're trying to cut out as much processed food as possible, so I've been shopping for recipes and cookbooks to give me good, wholesome ideas for her lunchbox. This summer we also kicked sodas out of her diet and we're both working really hard to reduce her sugar intake.

I'm hoping these things will not alone make a difference in her waistline, but also her level of focus with independent tasks. I'm concerned about this, but don't want to try meds right now so I'm going to see what her second grade teacher says. Her Kindergarten and 1st grade teacher thought that I should not worry so much and that she was doing great despite her tendency to be a "social butterfly." At any rate...I'm hoping to see a change in both.

If anyone else is working toward the mark of weight loss with a child, I'd love to have some support and/or ideas. I have five more pounds to go to meet my goal so I figured she and I could do this together...some basketball, frisbee and me being extra careful about what and how I cook things.

Any ideas/suggestions would be welcomed.

*I wasn't sure where to put this thread, so I chose OT...Mods, feel free to move this if it's in the wrong place*

Ohappydaye · #2 (**permalink**) August 15th, 2006, 02:54 PM

I just found this article and wanted to share. Actual link here.

Quote:

How to Lower the Fat in Children's Diets
From Fiona Haynes,
Your Guide to Low Fat Cooking.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Helping Kids to Eat a Healthy Diet
While it's not appropriate to put our children on a strict low fat diet, it is prudent to monitor what and how much they are eating. One-third of children in North and South America are considered to be overweight. About half of all children in North and South America are expected to be overweight by 2010 if current trends continue. How can we help our children eat better? We can start by limiting the amount of bad fats and refined sugars in their diet. Here's how:

* Avoid any food that contains trans fats—many packaged cakes and cookies still have them, as well as canned cake frosting, which many kids can eat by the spoonful. Trans fats are easier to identify since new labeling laws came into effect in early 2006.

* Remember, fast-food chicken and fries are loaded with trans fat, too, so drive by your local fast-food joint, not through it!

* Routinely offer fruits, veggies and whole grain crackers at snack time instead of candy and cookies. For variety and interest, think beyond apples and bananas: slice some kiwifruit or mango; buy a pineapple; make a melon medley; offer blueberries; make fruit kebabs by cutting chunks of fruit and putting them on sticks, and have a low fat yogurt dip to accompany them

* It’s unrealistic to ban cookies and candy completely, so make them an occasional treat, and keep serving sizes small—no king-size bars or bags. Fun-size treats are perfect

* Try baked chips instead of regular chips, or offer pretzels instead, although they can be very salty. Air-popped popcorn—light butter only—is a good choice, but not served by the bucket!

* For lunch at home or school, make whole grain sandwiches (or wraps) with lean cuts of deli meat. Just a slice or two is all children need, not a New York deli-style sandwich that’s hard to bite into. Similarly if cheese is on the sandwich menu, one slice in the sandwich should be enough. Fill it with crunchy veggies or tomatoes if more "depth" is needed. Spread mayo thinly. Reduced fat mayo tastes very good, so there should be no complaints. Mild mustard is another option. Peanut butter sandwiches are actually ok, just limit the amount you spread

* Pack low fat yogurts in your kids’ lunch boxes, and small boxes of low fat milk, or bottles of water, instead of sugary drinks. Always pack at least one fruit offering in your kids' lunches—dried or fresh, and preferably not immersed in syrup.

* Make your own muffins and cookies rather than offering over-sized fat- and sugar-filled bakery muffins or cookies. At least you can control portion sizes and slip in healthier ingredients like oats, shredded carrots, and dried fruit. Mini muffins make a nice lunch box treat

* Bake homemade chicken nuggets made from white-meat chicken dipped in egg white or buttermilk and coated in bread crumbs or trans-fat-free cracker crumbs. Same with fish

* Make your own healthier pizza by using a ready-made or ready-to-roll whole grain crust. Reduce the amount of cheese and meat, and add more veggies and sauce instead. No child needs to eat a whole 12-inch pizza. Monitor portions and offer a green salad instead of extra slices

* Make sweet potato fries or russet fries roasted in a hot oven with a small amount of oil instead of buying fast-food fries or deep-frying your own

* Make your own small lean burgers and slip in some shredded veggies or some mashed beans to the mix, and serve on a whole grain bun

* Try whole grain or omega-3-enriched pastas. My kids don’t notice a difference in taste. Serve with a tomato sauce, with or without veggies, and lightly sprinkle with cheese

* If your kids will eat tuna, see if they will eat canned salmon, which contains heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids

* Serve small baking potatoes with a lean chili filling or mild salsa instead of loading it with cheese, butter and sour cream

* Cook your family's meals with cooking spray or sparing amounts of either olive oil or canola oil instead of butter, shortening or lard

Other Tips for Healthy Kids

* Make sure your children eat breakfast every day—preferably not sugary cereals or jam-filled toaster pastries. Oatmeal or other whole grain cereals without added colors, chocolate or sugar are always a good idea. Offer some fruit and a nutritious drink such as fortified juice or milk

* Limit snacks after dinner, and make any dessert other than a piece of fruit a treat rather than an everyday occurrence

* Ban soda or make it a very occasional treat, and limit the serving size

* Limit computer, TV or videogame time. Send your kids outside to play with a ball or ride their bikes. Find an activity your child enjoys and sign them up for teams or classes—dance, soccer, swimming, basketball, T-ball—anything that requires movement. If you have a preschooler, many communities have toddler-gym classes

* Talk to your children about the importance of good nutrition and healthy living. Explain how excess fat and sugar can make them unfit and ultimately sick

* Lead by example. You owe it to your children

Manaloa · #3 (**permalink**) August 15th, 2006, 03:21 PM

Wow you daughter is taller than mine and mine's older! Right now I want to start with 5lbs on her, which would put her in the 75 percentile and as she is growing I plan on rechecking her stats every few months. I think if she keeps up as she's been going with me this last week, she'll drop the lbs fairly easily. She's all about being healthy. LOL

Ohappydaye · #4 (**permalink**) August 15th, 2006, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manaloa

Wow you daughter is taller than mine and mine's older! Right now I want to start with 5lbs on her, which would put her in the 75 percentile and as she is growing I plan on rechecking her stats every few months. I think if she keeps up as she's been going with me this last week, she'll drop the lbs fairly easily. She's all about being healthy. LOL

Yea, my dad is 6'5," her dad is 6'1" and I'm 5'8" so she's going to have a little height on her.

It's funny because my mom is 5'4," I'm tall in my mom's family and short in my dad's.

Good luck with your daughter's weight loss, sounds like she's well on her way! As I find things of interest I'll post them here so everyone can benefit.

maleficent · #5 (**permalink**) August 15th, 2006, 03:35 PM

When dealing with children, never count calories or obsess over portions, that behavior could lead to eating disorders later. Concentrate on healthy eating and exercise..

Miss_Kallie · #6 (**permalink**) August 15th, 2006, 03:52 PM

I agree with what Mal said.

Here is a link to an article about kids and body image and the effects that parents can have on children that isn't so great:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060810/...om_s_influence

Manaloa · #7 (**permalink**) August 15th, 2006, 04:41 PM

Who obsesses? I'm tracking my daughter's calories for my own information to find out how much she's intaking. And to help me make better choices for her too. And we talk about what's healthy and how some foods are healthy only in moderation and how exercise should be a part of daily life and should be something we like to do. Like bike riding.

maleficent · #8 (**permalink**) August 15th, 2006, 04:50 PM

I wasn't say you at all Manaloa... seriously - it was just a comment...

at spark, someone asked about their 12 year old joining, and the emphatic response from the nutritionists was NO because a kid that young has no business counting calories, nor should they be worrying about what they eat... they should concentrate on healthy foods and getting out and exercising.

one of the news magazine shows, had an interestint story on mothers/daughters and eating disorders and the basic gist was that mothers shouldn't "diet" in front of their daughters and never say - "i cant have that" because it can (not necessarily does) lead to food issues....

Ohappydaye · #9 (**permalink**) August 15th, 2006, 05:11 PM

Just to be clear, I'm not obsessing about anything but I do want and plan to ensure that my child is healthy. Manaloa and I have had several exchanges on this forum about how we've talked to our daughters about the importance of being healthy and making good choices when it comes to food for the sake of fitness.

I certainly am not saying to my child, "You're fat and need to lose some weight," but as her mother I owe it to her to make sure she's healthy and to lead by example. If I make healthy choices, she will too. Too many children in this country are overweight, do you suggest we do nothing about it? If she learns now she will take the proper approach to eating and fitness into her adult life and won't need to be on weight loss forums looking for support like her mother.

Why be so quick to assume that we're being unhealthy about it because we want our kids to be fit?

Miss_Kallie · #10 (**permalink**) August 15th, 2006, 09:34 PM

I think it is awesome that you guys are concerned about your children's health, I was only stating that there are good and bad ways to go about it with the article is all. I mean you guys want something good for your kids but you have to make sure that it is just that -- good for them all around, mentally and physically and that is why I provided an article for some thought. No judgements or anything like that, only concern because I care.

Ohappydaye · #11 (**permalink**) August 16th, 2006, 03:16 AM

Thank you for your concern it is appreciated, however I would hope from my posts regarding my own weight loss, the information I've shared about what I'm currently doing for her, along with the article that I posted in this thread that one would see that I'm going about this in a positive way.

I sincerely hope that the things you posted are helpful for someone else in this position, but I am happy to report that I am looking out for the best interests of my daughter and am working hard to ensure a positive body image and self-esteem with her.

Manaloa · #12 (**permalink**) August 16th, 2006, 04:04 AM

LOL, looking back through the comments I just realized that both OHD and I jumped to the conclusion that MissKallie & Mal were talking directly to us. And I should know better because I've see Mal make cautionary comments like this all the time and I know that Miss Kallie meant it the same way.

maleficent · #13 (**permalink**) August 16th, 2006, 04:54 AM

Quote:

so I've been shopping for recipes and cookbooks to give me good, wholesome ideas for her lunchbox.

There's a cookbook, that's been around for a few years, so you might even find it on the bargain table at barnes and noble called Looney Spoons.. the recipes all have fun names so it appeals to some kids, but the recipes are all healthy -and the cookbook is fun to read too

Ohappydaye · #14 (**permalink**) August 16th, 2006, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manaloa

LOL, looking back through the comments I just realized that both OHD and I jumped to the conclusion that MissKallie & Mal were talking directly to us. And I should know better because I've see Mal make cautionary comments like this all the time and I know that Miss Kallie meant it the same way.

And for that I sincerely apologize, as I said earlier I just wanted to be clear that I'm doing everything I can to foster a positive self image for my daughter and would never do anything to the contrary and I would NEVER want anyone here to think otherwise. So, for the sake of education and encouragement...keep it coming Mal and Kallie.

Ohappydaye · #15 (**permalink**) August 16th, 2006, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maleficent

There's a cookbook, that's been around for a few years, so you might even find it on the bargain table at barnes and noble called Looney Spoons.. the recipes all have fun names so it appeals to some kids, but the recipes are all healthy -and the cookbook is fun to read too

Thanks Mal, I'll see if I can find it! It sounds great.