From Debra, Child's Age 8 - 07/28/10 - IP#: 207.144.2.xxx Click here to reply
My child is Taylor and she will be 9 in September. Taylor is 170 lbs and very pretty. We have been struggling with the weight since she was about 4. Because she is so young, she doesnt quite understand the health problems that may come from this and the cruelty that will come later on. I continuosly tell her how beautiful she is so that she never gets lost in the weight. We have tried diets, cutting back and exercising. She doesnt eat a lot, she just likes to eat the foods that she likes. Any advice would be great! Debra
Reply from Taylor, Age 17 - 12/18/10 - IP#: 75.66.66.xxx Picky eaters can be particularly hard to handle. But if it's just a matter of her /liking/ to eat what she likes to eat, the solution is fairly simple and pretty old school... you only offer the healthy option. You don't have chips in the house for her to eat as a snack, you only keep fresh fruit or veggies for her to snack on. You only offer the healthy option and while she may rebel, she's nine, you're in charge, and it's going to be way easier to deal with NOW than if you hold off and try to make the same change when she's a preteen or teenager. Then it will be almost impossible, so take charge now. However, there are those select few kids who are more than just a little picky. If your daughter is on that extreme side of picky eating where she absolutely WON'T eat unless it's something she likes, you probably need to see a professional. These types of extremely picky eating patterns can often take therapy or professional help on some level to get past. Though again, it's better done sooner than later. She's at a great age for changing these habits for good, but the older she gets, the more difficult it will become to make the change and keep it.
Reply from Ashlie - 08/05/10 - IP#: 96.39.145.xxx If your daughter has tried cutting back on foods she really likes, but can't and still doesn't lose weight, then there may be foods she just can't resist unless they are totally unavailable. Just like an addiction, we sometimes have to completely cut out a food (chips? ice cream? donuts?) because eating just the littlest amount may trigger us to eat more. Review some of the foods your daughter overeats the most, and plan on not buying any more and remove what is left in the house. Going through 1 or 2 problem foods at a time can break down the problem. Anticipate some withdrawal symptoms for 1-2 weeks - irritability, antsy - but then they should subside. By the way, that is great to hear you are supportive in maintaining her self esteem. I think that will help in the long run.
