From Jeanette, Child's Age 8 - 09/18/07 - IP#: 70.183.3.xxx  Click here to reply  
I worry so much about my 8 yr olds weight trouble, she is 175lbs at the age of 8. she towers over all the other kids her age and they can be very cruel. Her dad was a chubby kid but she has gone beyond chubby. I try very hard to reduce her food intake but how do you tell your child no when she cries that she is hungry. I have noticed that she eats just because; if her brother or sister is eating, she has to eat too. If My husband or I try to explain that she doesn't need to eat everytime someone is eating she cries and says mommy I can't help it. The whole family can afford to shed some pounds but with everyone's busy schedule we don't have or really make the time to exercise. I would like to set a family example exercising and eating right but it is so difficult. Does anyone have some suggestions. I'm desperate. I'm afraid that my daughter will become very ill.
Reply from Cara, Child's Age 6 - 06/23/08  - IP#: 206.15.101.xxx
hi,
i work for a morning show in nyc. we are doing a segment on helping children lose weight and are working with the country's top doctors and nutritionists that will be available to help you. if you are interested please call me asap at 212-301-5256. we will provide transportation to nyc!

 
Reply from Robin, Child's Age 1 - 10/22/07  - IP#: 70.238.177.xxx
I am a pediatric nurse. These stories hurt my heart. Research shows fat kids don't eat more than skinny kids, they just move less. Walk with your kids to places you need to go. Wear a coat in the winter or sunblock in the summer but walk everyday. If it rains in the morning walk in the afternoon. Never deny food and offer healthy choices like fruit, raw vegetables and fat free popcorn, pretzels or graham crackers for easy crunchy snacking. Keep unhealthy foods out of your house. Do not buy sweets, chips, fried foods or dairy products except skim milk. Kids who drink 24 oz. of skim milk a day weigh less. Bags of fruit are cheaper than bags of potato chips.

 
Reply from kaitlynn, Child's Age 14 - 10/08/07  - IP#: 4.243.1.xxx
ok firstly she needs to lose some weight cause even if she grows up to be tall that is probably to much the way to do this is make sure that someone makes the meals and that there at a certain time everday and they're balanced second make sure that she gets a snack when she gets home from school and that she eats at the same time everyone elese does you need to take your other children and talk to them about how serious this is and ask them to only eat when she does so she does not feel that she needs to because thy are also if that is impossible for everyone to eat at the same time make sure that she is not anywhere near the kitchen or them while theyre eating shes only 8 and you can moniter what she puts in her body and how much she excircises so good luck

 
Reply from Miranda, Child's Age 15 - 10/01/07  - IP#: 71.251.41.xxx
That is an excellent idea I wish my parents could come up with a schedule. LIke maybe work together to plan out the meals for the week so the child is still eating the foods they like and the parents can be sure it is healthy and balanced!

 
Reply from jackie, Child's Age 12 - 09/27/07  - IP#: 64.12.112.xxx
is there a way to restrict eating times like making a schedule so that your youngest isnt always seeing everyone eat?

 
Reply from Rickie, Child's Age 11 - 09/19/07  - IP#: 88.103.64.xxx
How tall is your daughter? I was 150 cm in my 8 yrs.

 
Reply from Casey, Child's Age 12 - 09/19/07  - IP#: 4.243.51.xxx
Zu is asolutely right. Letting kids overeat and allowing them to eat unhealthy food is no different than allowing them to drink, or smoke, or do drugs. They get addicted to overeating and bad food the same way, and the result is equally as damaging to their health and life. Don't be an overeating enabler. You need to wean your child off of junk food, fast food, and large portion sizes. Get rid of junk food and sugar drinks in your home and don't go to fast food restaurants. And no second helpings, and consider using smaller plates. Take it in baby steps; pick one thing to change every couple of weeks. She will resist angrily, just like a druggie resists coming off a drug, but it will gradually get easier for her to resist the addicting foods. And find other things to substitute for the comfort she seeks from food, like walks with her mom, friends, pets, hobbies, sports, books, even professional counseling. Believe me, she will thank you for your efforts later!

 
Reply from Zu, Child's Age 14 - 09/19/07  - IP#: 75.9.134.xxx
Your child is already in danger. What does her pediatrician recommend about her weight. You are her guardian, and it's up to you to help her. She's the child. You have all of the power. She is addicted to eating. She needs to get away from food to break her obsessive compulsive behavior. You need to break your enabling behavior towards her. She'll never be able to get in control of herself, if you don't set the example first. You are molding her right now. What kind of life will she have in the future, if she's 100 pounds over her natural weight at 8 years old. You need to think about her life. People die from being overweight. My husband and I attended a funeral of his co-worker's 16 year-old son, who died from complications due to his being obese. She too wouldn't say no to him, and now he's gone. He had heart trouble, trouble breathing, etc. He had all of the health issues of an elderly man.