7 year old and weight

[YoureAllABunchOfBastards]

DS2 is a picky eater and has always been skinny. However, in the last few months he has put on weight: he has a rounded face, chubby cheeks and a little chin, plus a bit of a pot belly.

I know why, I suppose - he eats mainly bread, chips, rice, pasta - all plain - and plain meat or chicken in breadcrumbs/fish fingers. He will eat veg but not lots. Both DSs help themselves to snacks - snackajacks, crisps, biscuits, fruit - but they always go for the biscuits first. DS1 does football, swimming and runs about a lot - DS2 is a slowcoach and not interested in footy. Both love sweets and are spoiled by my mam, who will bring them cake/choc every week - she does also make them eat fruit, though, and veg.

The thing is, should I be doing anything? My own weight has fluctuated at lot and I currently need to lose around 4 stone - but I don't want to say/do anything that buggers up his attitude to food, because mine is pretty rubbish.

Is he likely to grow upwards soon and even out? Or should I restrict access to 'junk'?

[sleepy16]

I think you should stop letting them both help themself's at snack time, if they will eat fruit then that's what they should have.
Obviously give them treats now and again but imo not as an everyday snack.
All in moderation is the key.

[BusStopBetty]

Yes, you should be doing something. Don't buy crisps and biscuits. Don't allow constant snacking. Smaller portions at dinner and offer a wider choice. Definitely fewer chips etc.

[JinkxMonsoon]

I understand why you're worried. My DD is horribly fussy and eats a pretty poor diet. She's also really lazy. All my fault I guess

She's coming up to five and she's nowhere near overweight, but I worry for the future. So if I were you I'd cut right back on the snacking - don't allow free access to snacks and stop buying biscuits. If they moan about the snacks on offer, too bad, no snack

With any luck he'll shoot up in height and slim down again, but it's good to be aware, obviously.

[YoureAllABunchOfBastards]

Thanks.

It has come as a bit of a shock because he has always been so skinny - it has crept up over the last few months. He isn't fat - just a little bit chubby. I don't know if I am overreacting.

I will restrict what they can reach themselves for snacks and up the fruit and veg content. He has school lunches but will often only eat the rice or pasta: won't eat anything in a sauce, tomatoes, mashed or baked spuds, beans. Doesn't have fizzy drinks unless we are out for lunch - always plain water at home.