Kids and their weight.
@froggieslover (3069)
United States
December 22, 2009 1:41am CST
I have a son that is 10 years and weight 110 lbs. As a mother I am concerned that he may be getting a bit overweight but I am not sure how to get him to more exercise without hurting his feelings.
I am a diabetic and it runs in my family so I don't want to see it get to the point to where he gets it because of his weight gain. I have seen kids his age heavier than he is but he put on about an extra 30 lbs over the summer. I know that he will go through a growth spurt here in a year or two and the extra weight will more than likely go away but I want to try and help him before it may effect his health. He doesn't get much exercise and while his father and I try to get him out and get a bit of energy he gets very short winded easily and wheezes quite often over even the smallest of activity.
He does seem to eat real fast and I am always telling him to slow it down but he just laughs like I am joking around and I am not sure if this is a defense mechanism or not but I want to get him to know I am serious without hurting his feelings. I have told him that he may choke eating that fast and that it is not healthy for him but I still can't get him get motivated. Does anyone have ideas?
4 people like this
21 responses
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
21 Jan 10
Sounds like your son is going to be a big boy. My father always told me that if I slowly chew my food that I'll fill up faster and eat less. I believe he was right. Have you tried to get your son to drink a glass or two of water prior to eating meals? This should make him eat less and maybe not be in such a hurry.
We have daughters who were hefty at about the same age as your son. We encouraged them to get involved in sports. It worked very well.
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
23 Jan 10
Hello, I think he is just going to be a bigger boy..it does after all run in his dads side of the family with both height and weight. My husband is about the only one that is seemed to skip (lucky me) He does drink water with his dinner and drinks it fast as well. I can try to get him to drink more though, I do know that drinking water helps.
I have always been told that eating slower fills you up faster as well but I am not worried about him getting fuller faster I am more worried about him choking on his food. I know that sports has helped him too, summer is the best for his sports but being that it is winter time it is less active. Thanks a bunch for your response carolbee
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
22 Dec 09
I think the best way to gets kids to be more active requires several things
Curtail how long they can spend watching tv or on the computer
Do family things that are active by nature or include a lot of walking, such as visits to museums or parks, or riding bikes, skating, skiing, etc.
Encourage him to participate in sports at school
Play a lot of outdoor sporty things with your child--kids are more apt to do something if you are involved as well :)
Give him a list of weekly chores that require activity, such as vacuuming, since he is ten. And keep only healthy snacks available in the house: yogurt, fruit, popcorn minus the fat and salt...things like this should help without him even knowing he is developing healthier habits or without him feeling any resentment.@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
4 Jan 10
...and thank YOU for "best response." I wish you both well in your efforts :)
Karen
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
22 Dec 09
He is in wrestling now and does football and baseball in the spring but during the summer it gets so hard to get out and do too much because we live where it snows a ton and for a long time and while they do get out and play in the snow we also like winter for the opportunity to just snuggle on the couch and watch movies. I know that I will have to find ways to get him to get more active without making it so obvious...Thanks for your advice peaceful
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
22 Dec 09
Hi there froggielover
As the saying goes 'Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind even as a Mother and even when we do not want to hurt our Children it has to be done for his sake
Try also to change his diet sit him down and explain to him the situation in the best way that he understands
Make him go for walks and that
You will not be able to save his Feelings I am afraid and he has to learn that he will get very sick if he does not do something now
I hope that you will bring yourself to have a go with him it is for his own good
Merry Christmas to you
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
22 Dec 09
I know that I need to consider his health over his feelings but I know that there are so many kids out there that have the weight complex and I don't want my kids to get to that point. My daughter aged 8 is almost underweight and is a very picky eater so I always say if I could just get them to even it out a bit it would be good...she has been caught calling him chubby and I don't like that and I know he doesn't either. I know you guys are right and I just need to st him down and tell him what the reality is no matter how hurtful....thanks gabs and Merry Christmas to you as well
1 person likes this
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
23 Dec 09
One of my nephews had a similar problem. He went to a weight management program with a bunch of other kids his age. He is doing better, and making better food choices. He is 12. I would say try having a talk and see where it goes.
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
1 Jan 10
I think one of the main problems is that he tends to eat more at dinner than with breakfast or lunch. There are times when he eats breakfast but most of the time he says he isn't hungry, he does eat lunch but it is never as much as he eats at dinner time. He will go for seconds at dinner time so I am sure he is making up for what little eat ate doing the day..I have dropped a few generous tips and I need to work on spreading out his portions. Thanks for your advice ersmommy
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Dec 09
I was about the same age as your son when I started to become overweight as well. As far as things that could possibly be beneficial to him, we were always involved in sports to some degree. For me, after I was eight years old (that was the year that my ankle was nearly shattered) the only sport choice that I had was to be on a swim team. Swimming is really good for you and it is a total body workout. Perhaps your family could start taking walks together or even just all sit down at the dinner table and have a conversation going on where your son is actively involved so he doesn't eat as fast.
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
28 Dec 09
Hehe..that is funny about the getting him to talk so he doesn't eat that fast because we too have thought of that, we always eat dinner at the table so we are able to keep our eye on his eating. I think I may look into swimming because he is already into wrestling, baseball and football but he does have flat feet and complains about how it is hard on his ankles, swimming will do him good. Thanks for the advice dorann
@Matrix31415 (38)
• United States
23 Dec 09
i do not have any children but i may be able to offer some advice. maybe exercies is a bit to dramatic for a solution right away. maybe a diet change might be more reasonable at first if you are concerned about hurting his feelings. if that does not help then it is up to you i guess.
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
29 Dec 09
This is something that I am going to try although like I have mentioned before we don;t eat that awful due to myself being a diabetic and needing to eat a bit healthier as well but I think I am going to try and get in even more fruits and veggies for right now, I hoping with the more active we get in the summer the better he will be Thanks a bunch for your response matrix
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
22 Dec 09
First of all, lead by example. If you're gonna sit around and eat a bunch of junk food, then that's exactly what he'll do too. It's never too early to start teaching them healthy habits.
You can start by getting the whole family active, which will be good for all of you. Take walks, go for hikes, play touch football in the backyard. Get your son involved in sports, maybe sign him up for swimming lessons.
You can teach him about healthy eating without telling him that he's fat. My kids are all really thin but I'll still explain to them about too much fat, sugar, carbs, etc etc. My kids have been healthy eaters since birth, and most days would prefer to have a salad over a slice of pizza!
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
22 Dec 09
Hey kats, we do eat healthier foods and while my kids do eat things like chips, cookies or candies they don't over do it he out of the two kids eats the least. He also would much rather have fruits over chips. I am a diabetic and so the foods that we intake are on the healthier side but its not like we are health nuts I mean we all enjoy our fat juicy burgers....
He is into a few different sports including wrestling in winter and football and baseball in spring and we LOVE talking walks and playing ball in the back yard especially since we now have a yard to do that in(two summers ago we were in a different house with no yard)
Both kids have always been really skinny up until this summer when my son put on his weight and everyone has always said don't you feed your kids but I think my son may of has a growth spurt but forgot to getting taller along with wider =) I will keep your advice in mind and thanks for your response kat
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
22 Dec 09
I would rather hurt his feelings once & have him healthy.
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
22 Dec 09
I know you are right antique..I am going to have to be mom and hurt his feelings but better his health....thanks for your response..
@jessi0887 (2788)
• United States
22 Dec 09
Personally if it was me I would find some kind of activity or sport to engage him in. I am speaking as a mother what i would do. My son is too young but i know what kept me and all my siblings fit was being active. Weather its baseball, soccer, football, track. All you have to do is see what he enjoys most. Ask him and encourage him to join one or even two school sports. Take him to the park let him run around a while. Of course though eating habits have to change as well. So less sweets more fruits would help. Its a hard adjustment but will pay off. I know i didn't have my mom do this for me i have to do this everyday for myseft. Diabettes runs in my family so i try to watch my diet and stay fit as well. I hope you find something.
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
22 Dec 09
We are all definitely more active in the summer time and even though he is into wrestling in the winter there isn't a lot of extra activity there...I need to find some winter indoor activities that he would get into but not seem like so much of a chore because that will push him into not liking it even more. Thanks for your advice jessi
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
22 Dec 09
This is very dangerous for your son especially if you have diabeties. I think you can have a conversation with him explaining the danger of eating the way he does. That he doesn't want to be sick. He needs to get healthy so he doesn't end up with diabeties. If you and your husband sit him down and tell him the facts he should be willing to work to eat properly and want to lose weight. As for exercise if he just went for a walk each day or took 10,000 steps a day he will lose weight. If you get him a pedometer that he wears on his belt that may motivate him to walk and reach the 10,000 steps a day. I hope this helps good luck.
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
22 Dec 09
THat is a great idea lelin..we have about 6 pedometers laying around the house that he could surely use...him and his sister walk about two blocks to and from school every week day and then we will take a brisk jog about half a block to scouts twice a week just to try and get him going I also like to play music and dance because it is a great way to exercise but it doesn't seem like it is. In the summertime we walk 4 miles about 3 times a week at our bike trail but in the winter it gets harder. I know that I have to grow a pair and let him know it is unhealthy and I thank you for your advice and response
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
23 Dec 09
Maybe you can do some "active" things together and learn to make healthy choices about food together. When my kids were young we learned a new sport every summer. We tried it and if we liked it we continued it. One of our favorites was frisbee golf! Anyway, start out easy like real short hikes or something where you can sit and rest along the way. Just walking is good. Try taking a morning or evening walk just a couple times a week.Everything counts! You might try some sort of martial arts sport too. It would be important to try several different things to really find out what you do and don't enjoy!
@starsailover (7829)
• Mexico
23 Dec 09
Hi macdingolinger: I think you are right. It's easier when your father or mother share a little time doing this activities when you are a little kid. Looks like you had a great time together and that's beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us your experience. This is at the same time a special opportunity to share time with your child. Thanks for your answer. Hope you are having a nice day. Merry Christmas/ Happy Holidays. Take Care.
-Alvaro.
@starsailover (7829)
• Mexico
23 Dec 09
Hi froggies lover: I think that kids should be motivated making them understand not only the importance of exercise but to make it as fun as it's possible. If a kid understand that this advice is not a kind of punishment he'll be able to enjoy these activities. Actually I have read that this is the best age to create good habits so do your best to convince your kid that it's good for him and that he'll enjoy to make an exercise. Thanks for asking us this question. Good luck with that. Hope you are having a nice day. Merry Christmas/ Happy Holidays.
-Alvaro.
@happy2512 (1266)
• Philippines
22 Dec 09
Try to seek for professional help that can give you advices of whats the best thing to do with your kid. Its been a great deal for us parents for the best of our kids. I know you can find immediate solution to this problem. Just trust in what you believe in.
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
22 Dec 09
I feel bad that I am even asking this because in my opinion he is perfect but I just worry about him for health reasons. I see a dietician for my diabetes so next time I am into see her I will ask her about some tips for him. Thanks for the idea and response happy..
@senoritachismosa93 (10)
• United States
22 Dec 09
You should go to your child's pediatrician and ask for some possibilty. You don't want your child to feel like an outsider so maybe the whole family should try to diet and exercise to gether. My pediatrician told me to try black grape. Black grape lowers blood sugar levels which decreases your child's chances of having diabetes. Go to www.blackgrapehealth.com/moneymakin93. Other options maybe the dad can take your son to the batting cages or play a couple of rounds together. If he has severe breathing problems, he might have asthma that needs to be checked out immeadiately.
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
22 Dec 09
I have mentioned asthma to the doctor and they say he does not have it although I am not 100% sure...dad does get out and play in the back yard quite often especially in the summer but I think I might actually try switching my exercise regimen to the evening time and get all of us involved like you said that way he won't feel like we are zeroing him out...thanks for your advice senorita
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
23 Dec 09
ask your doctor coming from the doctor he might understand better but at that age whatever you will do their feelings can get hurt especially if they are a very sensitive child.
maybe if you tell him he will soon be in junior high and all the boys are athletes that might help I really don't know
@missweety (626)
• Latvia
22 Dec 09
Hello! I could only suggest to cook healthier at home. I don't mean just giving him carrots every day but try to vary your menu and all as much fresh vegetables as possible. Good are soups that have a lot of liquid. Try tokeep at home less sweets, cookies, biscuits etc...Meybe you could ask him to help you to do housework ,like cutting grass near house (if you have private house) or take out rubbish (if you have just an appartmet) ;) if he is too lazy, offer him some extra money for helping you to d o house works ;) maybe it will help...ask him to clean his room, to vacuum, to clean closet etc...small house works, less sweets at home, more fresh vegetables to your meals (if you will vary your meals than nobody probably will see that actually you are trying to add more vegetables to meals ) :) Good luck!!!! I don't know maybe something helps :)
@celticeagle (165979)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Dec 09
I would used the old tried and true 'if you will do this you can have this' practice. It has worked for hundreds of years. Think of something he wants and tell him if he will do these things you will give him the object he wants. Doing chores, or running errands using energy and will help him to lose any extra weight. I am sure that www.webmd.com probably has info on the subjec too.
@celebratelifeh (1142)
• China
23 Dec 09
today's kids are pounded with lot love and foot so they can become overweight easily. my nephew also have some overweight since him like to eat everything and always keep on eating. i suggested my sister let this boy do some exercise and let him eat more meals but not candies now.
@snafushe (791)
• Canada
22 Dec 09
I wouldn't worry about it too much. When I was younger I used to have lots of puppy fat, but as we grow up our metabolisms get a little faster and we start to shed our puppy fat. As long as you aren't feeding him really high calorie, high trans fat, processed foods you should be okay. I used to weigh a lot when I was around that age, and now I am 19 and I only weigh 105 pounds. You start to thin out as time goes on. Just make sure he's getting all of his food groups and proper nutrition. He's a growing boy, so don't worry about cutting down on his portions right now.
@mai2boies (38)
• United States
23 Dec 09
hello, I know exactly how you feel. my 6 1/2 year old weights 83lbs. I get super concerned as well because he snores really loud while he's asleep and I'm always afraid that something might happen. I don't like bringing him to the doctors because my sons cries to me about the doctor telling him, " you better lose weight, girls don't like fat boys!" I mean are you serious? Hello, most kids this age think that girls have cooties. In his profession, i don't know why he'd just come out and say it like that. But 2 months ago my son weighed 95 lbs, the reason for the weight lost was that we had him pick a sport, which in his case, BOXING, he enjoys it so much, instead of thinking of food and watching TV, he ends up practicing boxing.
