to think these children ARE overweight?

[OkMaybeNot]

The schools in my area have just sent out the results of the National Child Measurement Programme.

There are a number of acquaintances/friends on my social media who have posted their child's result online, along with a picture of their child and an angry rant about how their child is as skinny as a rake, not an ounce of fat on them, 'stocky' not 'fat', perfectly healthy etc etc.

But they are. Some of them are very overweight and plainly so. Others may be a little bit chubby and due for a growth spurt or something, but clearly not slim, either.

There are streams of comments underneath these posts agreeing and expressing their disgust and anger. And I'm wondering if everyone's lying, or they genuinely believe that these children are slim?

I know BMI is notoriously squiffy when it comes to kids, and I have seen genuine cases of it being so totally wrong it's laughable, especially when it comes to strong, athletic children. But that isn't the case for these children, at all.

AIBU to think that you owe it to your child to at least consider the results before going on the defensive?

My DD used to ask for food constantly when she was little and it was definitely boredom not hunger as she would be offered a piece of fruit which she would refuse. I had to put up with a lot of grizzling but now as a teenager she is a healthy weight and has a good relationship with food.
I was brought up in the 70s, my mum was always over weight and she stuffed us with food in a food equals love way. We didn't have as many snacks though and would have a roast on Sunday cold meat and potatoes Monday and Tuesday, cottage pie Wednesday. Much less tasty meals than today so less likely to over eat.

So I don’t really buy your faux wide eyed “I wouldn’t call them shit, why oh why would you think that

You may have noticed that you have called my post ignorant, called me goady and described my comments as 'harumphing.

You can't manage a discussion without personal insults so forgive me if I don't respect your comments or views.

I definitely think that we’ve lost perspective. My 5 year old DS is tiny - there is literally no fat on him at all. He only weighs 6 lbs more than my (very chubby!) 8 month old and is a good 2 stone lighter than some of his class mates. His arms are like sticks and he has to wear age 2-3 school trousers to fit his waist. I absolutely thought that he would be classed as underweight in these tests but apparently he’s a healthy weight.

I have a photo of one of my birthday party teas sometime in the 60s. Not a healthy option in sight. Cakes, crisps, biscuits, sausage on sticks jelly and blancmange. We were sugared up to the eyeballs.

If you think I’ve personally insulted you, do feel free to report any of my posts which you find offensive .

Cakes, crisps, biscuits, sausage on sticks jelly and blancmange. We were sugared up to the eyeballs

Once a year as opposed to daily.

If you think I’ve personally insulted you, do feel free to report any of my posts which you find offensive

I think you've made yourself look silly and incapable of rational discussion. You don't really have the ability to offend me.

I was born in the mid-60s and we didn't eat particularly well, not by today's healthy standards. We didn't eat an evening meal at all, we had tea that always involved sandwiches (usually jam ones) and cake. But none of us was overweight. I think we just ate less and probably moved more.

Ha! Now who is being personally insulting?

You’re rather good at dishing out the goady posts and insults. Not so good at taking them.

You think I look silly? Meh. I don’t think you’ve come across so brilliantly either.

You wrote an aggressive, goady post, called another poster awful for the way she feeds her son and then, when I called you out for your piss poor behaviour, you went all “well I never ”. You sound silly as anything to me. Harrumphing and ignorant to boot.

So I guess we know where we stand with each other. And frankly, I couldn’t care less.

You wrote an aggressive, goady post, called another poster awful for the way she feeds her son and then, when I called you out for your piss poor behaviour, you went all “well I never

You have a comprehension problem.
I didn't call a poster awful. I called a situation awful.
I never said 'well I never' to your accusation of me suggesting people were shit either. I corrected you, but don't let facts get in the way of your determination to carry on hysterically and get it wrong.
You couldn't care less? Doesn't look like it...much.

Jeez you’re a persistent little sausage aren’t you? Let’s say our farewells lovely. I’ve really had enough of your wisdom for one day . All the best.

*Cakes, crisps, biscuits, sausage on sticks jelly and blancmange. We were sugared up to the eyeballs

Once a year as opposed to daily. shock grin*

Went to several birthday parties a year. Not just mine. They were all much of a muchness.

I remember having sugar sandwiches! But OTOH my ds loves eggy bread for breakfast sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. But half a teaspoon of sugar goes over the whole thing, whereas if he had a portion of some cereals and he'd be eating double the sugar with none of the protein he gets from the eggs.

But half a teaspoon of sugar goes over the whole thing, whereas if he had a portion of some cereals and he'd be eating double the sugar with none of the protein he gets from the eggs.

Seriously though, if you look the portion size recommendation for some cereals they would not satisfy an adult as part of a healthy diet.

Although in the 1960s some families lived on processed rubbish, most didn't. The party food you describe above was a 'treat'- we didn't go to parties every weekend like kids do now.

As for those kids from the 10960s and 70s growing into obese adults- I guess that's just because they live in the same world as the fat kids of today- they've adapted to the indulgent culture and over-indulge. That's why it's more worrying for the next generation who are already fat as kids- what will they be like as adults if skinny 70s kids can't stay a healthy weight?

Olivia- that's why cereal isn't a particularly good option.

Went to several birthday parties a year. Not just mine. They were all much of a muchness

Pretty much accepted at parties not so much for daily life.

I work in healthcare and fairly often a parent comes in with a child, worried they are underweight.
We plot them on chart (and check no signs underlying illness) and as yet I have NEVER had one that is underweight. They are usually not even close.

However quite often parents bring in clearly overweight children (with other concerns) and rarely ask for help with their weight. It has to be brought up by me and then often don't attend dietician if referred.

I don't know if they are partly in denial, or know what to do but don't do it, or don't mind. I have often heard "they are a bit bigger, just like mum or dad" and I do wonder if they are feeling defensive about their own weight or just feel it is inevitable. Whereas other parents have the opposite attitude "I am overweight but I am not going to be responsible for my DC being overfed" and they don't have overweight children.

TBH if a parents own diet is poor and they can't cook, it's hardly surprising when the children are also overweight.

What is more surprising is slim adults and fat children in fairly well-fed households.

Fresta I watched the Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall series about weight and they did an experiment with parents and kids concerning cereal.

They asked the kids to weigh out how much cereal they would have for a typical breakfast and most of them put far more than the serving suggestion listed on the box. The parents were only looking at the sugar etc from a typical serving but the kids were eating far more then that.

It was just really interesting to see how small the recommended portion was compared to what the children actually ate.

I don't know if they are partly in denial, or know what to do but don't do it, or don't mind. I have often heard "they are a bit bigger, just like mum or dad" and I do wonder if they are feeling defensive about their own weight or just feel it is inevitable.

I personally think A) they don't want to change their current eating habits and B) they know that, however nicely put, their choices will be criticised and that makes them feel like crap so they avoid hearing it rather than face up to the problem.

30g of cereal is absolutely tiny for anyone though and wouldn't fill anyone up until lunch. I found it small when I was about 8 years old and had toast as well for breakfast. In fact, I think that used to be the "serving suggestion" on the boxes, that the cereal itself was not an entire breakfast.

I find cereal an utterly pointless waste of calories now (apart from perhaps porridge or Weetabix, which are just about filling enough if I have some nuts with them).

I haven’t read all the way through but wanted to add to this as it’s a topic I spend a lot of time worrying about! I’ve got 2 very hungry kids!! They always have been and seem to want to eat constantly. It really stresses me out!!! To the point that we really used to limit our 1st child’s food intake which just made things worse as she then just wanted more!! She was a really big baby and is now on the larger side as a 5 year old. She’s very healthy, active and happy but has more chub than most of her friends. In clothes I don’t think this is noticeable and I am at great pains not to make her conscious of it. We talk about healthy choices and exercise and she gets it and she’s really enjoy eating healthy food and doing sports and games. I guess as I have spent most of my life feeling fat and uncomfortable (I’m not actually fat just have a really negative body image) I’m so so concerned that this will pass to her even though she shows no signs of this and I really think she is unaware how awful mummy feels!!
Anyway, I was thinking lots about this yesterday as my little boy just will not stop asking for snacks and it’s just constant!! I am frightened of them growing up being overweight or having a ‘thing’ about food as mummy always limits it! I really try to give them good stuff ( I freely admit I don’t always get it right) but at the moment it feels like an ongoing battle and I find it a real struggle! 🙁

my little boy just will not stop asking for snacks and it’s just constant!!

Could you try distracting him with something else? Is it possible he's looking for attention?
Some children do ask for snacks when they are bored or even just thirsty?
Snacks don't have to be bad things though if you offer fruit or vegetables.
I know when I'm bored I think about a snack but often forget about it if I do something else.

Just don't give the snacks? Can't you say no, dinner is in 45 mins or whatever?