To think this is too much food!

[Rudedog]

So one of DDs friends moved away and they have been home for weekend and today - so we have been out for tea before they travelled home, to TGI Fridays.

So it's me and DD, DDs friend, her mum and younger sister.
Another friend and mother came too.

I've been shocked by DDs friend weight gain over the last year, it's gotten worse and now I can see the cause. She is 8 and this is what she was allowed to order for dinner....

From the adult menu - mozzarella sticks, a half rack of BBQ ribs with fries, a massive brownie ice cream thing for pudding....
She ate all that PLUS - half of her mums onion rings, half of her mums shrimp pasta and a lot of her cheesecake
PLUS - most of her younger sisters chicken fingers and fries and ice cream (younger sister barely eats anyway)
PLUS - she asked about everyone else's dinners and were they eating them all and tried hoovering up any leftovers.

She then asked about getting sweets.

I've never seen an adult eat that much let alone an 8 year old. I can't believe she wasn't sick (they've got a long car journey so maybe I've spoken too soon.

Me and other parent were a bit taken a back, other parent said 'aren't you full yet?' - her mum said 'she's such a good eater and she's always hungry' - she spoke like it was a positive thing.

I never make DD clear a plate - we talk a lot about eating until we feel full.

I mean I'm not unreasonable am I that even if you child is 'hungry' you say no - it's too much food!

Still reading the thread but I am a greedy guts and I have never managed 3 courses at TGIF let alone other people's leftovers.
The food there is lovely but the majority of it is so bad for you.

Far too much.

Of course its way too much even for a growing child with a very good appetite. Even if its a treat to eat out, you don eat that much of (unhealthy mostly) food.
I cant believe how many people accuse OP of nor minding her own business. Do you all actually think this is ok for an 8 year old???

EvilDoctorBallerinaRoastDuck I'd get her tested. They have a blood test now. I was 5 when diagnosed and had a cameras down my throat and all sorts. It was actually my wonderful grandma who thought it was that. My parents took me off gluten and I was a different person! I was so lacking in energy before the diagnosis that I didn't even run around at break etc.
It's also a lot easier now if she is, vast gluten free ranges and usually a fair few gluten free options when eating out.

Thanks Red, I'll book a GP's appointment. 😀

It sounds as if she needs wormed, and tbh, I do think it’s peoples business of a child is eating themselves to obesity, more so if the parents is making excuses.

It’s a form of abuse, and is huge detriment to the child’s health is no one intervenes.

Giles and Red, DD spends a lot of time at my control freak, narc aunt's, I asked her if she thought she was coeliac, she said no, and then proceeded to tell me everything that was wrong with her diet.

She's booked in for a GP's appointment.

I wish you luck then evil

Should the Drs discover issues is your aunt likely to stick to any restrictions?

It's certainly not something you can muck about with and the lack of immediate obvious reactions usually have people question their existence.

You could have your work cut out

I doubt it Giles.

I can't believe people are saying it's wrong to comment. If the child is being allowed to eat that much, she is being set up for a lifetime of health issues, teasing and possibly juvenile onset T2.

I was a fat child despite my super slim and healthy DM's best efforts to make me eat healthily - I got very adept at sneaking stuff. For a while too I was a fat adult. In hindsight I wasted a lot of my 20's. It was not fun.

And now I'm probably diabetic in my 40's; I'm definitely heading down that miserable road. Based on my own experiences, I would have to say something very gentle and private to a friend I knew well and cared about - it's health reasons, not judging/shaming. I wouldn't want any child to have to face up to teasing and being unhealthy.

It’s not wrong to comment, gently and with concern to the mother. What I objected to was the “look what I saw today, isn’t it disgusting” attitude of the OP crowing online. Nobody is saying childhood obesity isn’t a problem and that it shouldn’t be tackled, but sniping and throwing up our hands in faux horror while really just bitching about a little kid isn’t going to help her is it? It’s not concern, it’s nasty.

Good post Notreally. I agree with every word.

Dobopdidoo1 thank you I think there is an enormous difference between gently raising genuine concerns with a friend in order to help, and gossiping online with glee.

Exactly right notreally