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Children's health

Worried about DS (3)

37 replies

Nicole1976 · 17/06/2014 17:45

Hello All,
I have great concern about my three year old boy after talking to one of the staff at his nursery. She told me about how, during their sports afternoon, my son had really struggled to take part because of his weight and that during their little running event he was breathless immediately and could only just walk for it. If anyone else has a child with similar problems, please give me some advice ;)

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LadySybilLikesCake · 17/06/2014 17:49

Sorry to be blunt, but is your child overweight and how much exercise does he do at home?

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Sirzy · 17/06/2014 17:53

What is his weight and height?

If he is struggling that much then I think you need to see your GP for advice

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Gileswithachainsaw · 17/06/2014 17:55

The good news is that if your aware now you can start to change things, before es old enough to raid cupboards himself and pig out at friends houses.

Don't be hard on yourself, just be aware that there may be a problem here. What's his height and weight?

What clothes is he in, what do you feed him

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Nicole1976 · 17/06/2014 17:56

He is 36" tall and he weighs 55lbs, I am already aware he is overweight and so is his GP

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Gileswithachainsaw · 17/06/2014 17:58

What's in place to try and help your Ds? Has he been given a meal plan? Seen a dietitian?

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LadySybilLikesCake · 17/06/2014 17:59

Any overweight person finds it hard to exercise and gets out of breath. Does he exercise at home? That will help, little and often to start off with. What's his diet like?

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Nicole1976 · 17/06/2014 18:00

He is in size 3-4 and 4-5, the 3-4 stuff doesn't really fit him properly anymore.

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Gileswithachainsaw · 17/06/2014 18:01

What does he eat in a typical day? Maybe we can help suggest alternative ideas

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Sirzy · 17/06/2014 18:03

Those measurements put him off the scale for BMI, I would be asking your GP for a refferal for specialist help. Has it been ruled out that there are any medical reasons for the weight gain?

In the meantime look closely at what he eats each day and try to gradually make changes to his diet and increase his exercise.

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magpiegin · 17/06/2014 18:04

Has your gp offered any advice/ support?

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ohisay · 17/06/2014 18:09

anything that gets him moving is good, does he have a scooter/bike/ride on? what about going on walks to find a list of things? (leaves, particular bugs etc, there are some good nature hunt sheets online) play some ball games in the garden or park?
I hope you are getting the support from your gp that you need too Smile Smile

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oohdaddypig · 17/06/2014 18:14

Hi OP.

What does DS eat in a typical day?

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apermanentheadache · 17/06/2014 18:16

I second getting him referred to check for any medical causes....

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Nicole1976 · 17/06/2014 18:20

Breakfast- toast & cereal

Lunch - pasta, maybe some sandwiches too if he's still hungry

Dinner - fish fingers and chips

Snacks, fruit, sandwiches, chocolate bar

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apermanentheadache · 17/06/2014 18:23

That doesn't sound too bad if the portion sizes are normal altho sandwiches for snacks suggests he is eating a fair bit.

Do you think he eats a lot compared to other kids his age?

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Gileswithachainsaw · 17/06/2014 18:27

That's a lot of carbs tbh. Pasta and sandwiches is uneccessary. What breakfast cereal does he eat? Is it one that's high in sugar?

Porridge with ff milk would be better.
Or French toast and berries

He needs fat and protein to fill him up.

Ditch the chocolate bars too. Fine as part if a healthy diet but won't do anything fir him if he's already over weight.

What kind of potion are you giving?

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Sirzy · 17/06/2014 18:28

What are the portion sizes like? That sounds like a fair bit really.

Simply for comparision DS is 4.5 and today has had

Beans on toast for breakfast
Pasta salad for dinner
Lefteover turkey, chips and veg for tea.

Pack of cheddars as a snack.

Not a great eating day but about the same amount he normally has. Always use side plates which are about 3/4 full

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Gileswithachainsaw · 17/06/2014 18:28

Does he eat veg?

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LadySybilLikesCake · 17/06/2014 18:29

Maybe change what he's eating as there's a lot of carbohydrates there, and it looks as though you're giving him too much, there also isn't enough veg.

Try this;

Breakfast - cereal and fruit, or an omelette. He's little and he doesn't need toast too.

Snack - fruit, maybe a few cubes of cheese, carrot sticks with a dip?

Lunch - pasta salad, so with veg and tuna, or a little chicken with veg. Again, he doesn't need a sandwich, you're giving him too much. His tummy's small compared to yours.

Dinner - steamed fish, new potatoes and veg?

Try to keep it balanced. Meat/fish/eggs (are all proteins). Veg/fruit (for vitamins and minerals). Cereals (give fibre and fortified vitamins like folic acid). As little sugar as you can (found in chocolate, fruit juice, cakes etc), and reduce the carbs (pasta and sandwiches). He needs calcium, from milk, spinach, cheese etc. It's OK to have chocolate, not every day though. Look at your portion control. He's small, he doesn't need adult sized meals like you.

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NickyEds · 17/06/2014 18:29

I'm no expert but it sounds a bit carb heavy and veg light-toast, pasta,bread, chips then sandwiches as snacks. That said I'm sure he could burn it off. What kind of exercise does he get? I'd second a referral to check up on medical reasons for his weight. It can't be nice for him to struggle.

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SolomanDaisy · 17/06/2014 18:31

Is it his weight you're concerned about or that he might have another condition like asthma? Has the gp given you any advice?

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Gileswithachainsaw · 17/06/2014 19:08

What does he drink?

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apermanentheadache · 17/06/2014 19:13

There are medical conditions - prader-willi and hypothyroidism to name two - that could cause off-the-scale BMI and need ruling out.

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Nicole1976 · 17/06/2014 19:45

For those of you asking about activity levels, he doesn't really do any exercise at all at the moment, he very rarely walks anywhere and isn't as naturally active as other kids

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LadySybilLikesCake · 17/06/2014 19:48

And you don't see this as part of the problem too?

Your health visitor is useful. If I were you I'd give her a call and ask her to pop around. She'll be able to give you some healthy eating and exercise advice.

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