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Need help with daughters weight

58 replies

DarcyHargrove · 12/04/2024 20:59

My daughter is overweight, weirdly just round her middle, with skinny arms and legs!

She’s always hungry! And so so lazy. She will not do any exercise. She hates going for walks, refuses to ride her bike, will not to any sports etc. Our diets are healthy but she just eats so much. She’s only 10 but already over 5 stone.

Any advice??

OP posts:
CreateAUsername2024 · 12/04/2024 21:06

Say nothing as this could really hurt her psychologically in the future but focus on making family meals that are high in volume for veggies etc and have very little oils, fats etc in them so she is still nourished and not hungry. Don't buy snacks if you can help it but don't say that this is why. If it helps I was a chunky kid then I went to secondary school and adjusted my habits myself upon being surrounded by grown and older students/peers who looked trendy and cool as most young girls do. If she's only 10 she is too young to really realise the benefit of looking after oneself. Is there anyway you could include walking that she doesn't see as just 'going for a walk'? Window shopping in a large mall can be a fun girly morning and walking around a big shopping centre can actually really add steps up. Could you get her to walk a neighbours dog to make it more fun or take her and a friend to a trampoline park? Good luck it's not easy as a mum.

UndertheCedartree · 12/04/2024 21:06

Does she like swimming. Especially now it is getting warmer?

DarcyHargrove · 12/04/2024 21:05

Sorry I forgot to mention she’s incredibly short! Her bmi is 95th centile.

OP posts:
Mumaway · 12/04/2024 21:04

If she's doing little exercise then she will have little muscle in her limbs (or anywhere) and often children put fat on round their tummies. However, it's also possible she's just doing a pre-pubertal filling out prior to a growth spurt.

That said, from a lifetime health perspective, you and she need to work together on healthy eating and activity. As a child, she can only eat what you provide, and you can also manage the activities, particularly by role-modelling. For us, this means Sunday morning family ParkRun, lots of hiking, roller skates on the drive, swing all in the garden. Sweet treat twice a week only, otherwise it's fruit, crackers or plain yoghurt. I find this tricky, as it's not always what I want to do (I'd like a Sunday lie-in with bacon sandwiches and cinnamon rolls), but it's just one of the jobs of being a parent

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 12/04/2024 21:04

She’s just get ready to change into an adult shape. Leave her alone.

Mine did this, then stretched right out 13

Tiredanddistracted · 12/04/2024 21:03

Yes, I was going to say that 5 stone doesn't sound that bad?

ProfessorPeppy · 12/04/2024 21:02

According to WHO growth chart, 5 stone is tracking 50th centile for a 10 year old girl. This doesn’t seem problematic?

JacquesHarlow · 12/04/2024 21:02

Yes.

What do you feel here is within your control as a parent? @DarcyHargrove