From Sherri, Child's Age 11 - 06/04/03 - IP#: 152.163.252.xxx  Click here to reply  
I can't believe I am even considering this but I guess it is on my mind and this seems to be a very safe place to get advice from other parents who truly understand my dilemma. My daughter is 11, weighs 137 and is 4 ft 9 in. She is extremely athletic & plays a variety of sports along with cheer classes and twice weekly private tumbling. She has always been alittle bigger than other girls her age and, of course, I have always been concerned with health issues but most importantly I've been more concerned with her self esteem and overall happiness. (Click here to see rest of message).
Reply from angela, Child's Age 11 - 05/15/04  - IP#: 68.74.28.xxx
im 11 and weigh 125 and am 5 feet. i try to diet but it dosent work i cant stop eating junkn k food. i will try to comfoert you if you email me and give me advice on ewhat i can do. my email adress is lilpiggyangela@yahoo.com

 
Reply from Ann, Child's Age 12 - 06/25/03  - IP#: 63.139.1.xxx
diet pills r dangerous. u shouldn't use it for ur child.

 
Reply from Theresa, Child's Age 12 - 06/07/03  - IP#: 24.67.253.xxx
Sherri, while I'm not in your shoes, I would do more research on this issue and if possible get a second opinion.
A couple of weeks ago I was watching our daughter (age 12, 5'6") go into the fridge for her 5th cup of juice. A voice in my head asked, "I wonder how much she weighs"? I asked her if she was interested in knowing and the blow to both of us was 155lbs. This was a gain of 15lbs in less than one year. We teamed up with a plan right away. Like I've mentioned in my past posting here, I have her keeping a food diary, working out (with me and we make it fun), less juice more water and next to no more fast food or junk food. While this change has not been easy she has seen the results herself. She has already dropped 5lbs and her mood is up (must have something to do with all the fruits and veggies ready for the munching). She has also stopped snacking after 7:00 p.m.; she has also come to realize the difference between a need to eat and eating out of boredom.
What I have come to know is no person on this planet can be overweight without a lifestyle that supports weight gain. We all need to think about food as fuel for the day (we as adults wouldn't over fill our cars so as the fuel pours out on the pavement). Yet many adults and our youth over fill their body's everyday with soda, chips and other many empty foods that are high in fat.
I'm no nutritional/fittness guru, and a treat now and then has its place. I'm only a concerned parent as you are sharing what I have learned. I'm certain that with knowledge and some work, your daughter will be successful at achieving her goal of becoming a cheerleader.