overweight 3 year old - any tips/advice?

[lelait]

Just weighed my 3yo DD yest. and she was 17.5kg - a bit of a shock as doc recommended in feb that she was a bit overweight and we should try and get her to grow into her weight (16kg at the time)...I'm really not sure what to do any advice would be welcome.
Nobody else in our family is overweight. But DD especially loves food, lots of her games revolve around food (sandpit, playhouse, bath), she's always the last at the table long after all the other kids have got bored and run off to play, and we often get screams etc because we've said she can't have more x, y or z. I don't think our diet is too bad (although we do like good food) she does eat lots of fruit, veg etc.....
I know I need to be even more careful with her portion sizes - but I'd really like her to be able to control it herself as well. When she's wearing clothes I don't think she looks big, but when her belly is out it's clear she's wrinkly and has too much fat round her nipples etc. Maybe I'm fretting too much about something she'll grow out of but I really don't want it to become a bigger issue later, but then again the last thing I want to do is start making food an issue....

Don't panic. First thing to do is check her BMI accurately with a chart like this one Then you can understand where she is on the scale. If she has a good, varied diet and is very active chances are that she'll stretch out soon and her height and weight will be in proportion.

Having said that, do keep an eye on portion-sizes,and if she has a good appetite, fill the plate up with a few more vegetables or things like cucumber/pepper slices... these take a long time to eat and are quite filling without being calorific.

there's another thread along similar lines here which may be helpful.

I wrote the exact same post a few months ago. DD is now 3.5 and she just loves food. She never has enough. She always ask for more.
We have been reviewing everything she eats, specifically for sugar.
So instead of chocolate yoghurts, she now gets a plain yoghurt and a bit of dark chocolate.
I give her fresh fruit instead of desserts etc..
The problem is portion-control. It's quite hard to get right, without her feeling deprived.

Like you, I am unsure if there is a problem or not, but I really do not want her to suffer later. DD wears clothes in size 4y but I can also see that she still has the baby belly, unlike most of her friends.

A few tips for younger children

• Make sure each meal contains a little protein and fat because it is more filling than starch on its own. Breakfast could be scrambled eggs or baked beans, for example, rather than cereals or toast. Use full-fat dairy products rather than low-fat but serve in small quantities. A small amount of meat or fish in a meal makes it more satisfying .

• Some fruit is deceptively calorific because of its high natural sugar content. Bananas and grapes are quite energy-dense, for example. Serve fruit in moderate amounts and choose ones that are relatively low in energy. Encourage snacking on raw vegetables and things like cherry tomatoes

• Offer drinks often because thirst and hunger are often confused. Offer milk to drink twice a day but plenty of plain water in between. Squashes with 'no added sugar' often have artificial sweetners and, in some people, this can trigger sugar cravings.

Thanks Chil. The thing is that I follow all the guidelines to the letter (DD ONLY drinks water for example) and she still puts weight on.
I have filled a weekly diary for the paediatrician and she could not fault anything.
So the only thing left is portion control I think. But it's tough!

My DS turned 3 2 weeks ago and he is 19kgs. He hardly eats anything though.

He is over 3ft though and in proportion on the centile charts so I'm not worried about him being overweight.

Thanks - a friendly don't panic always helps! And the link gave some good food for thought (I sillily? hadn't thought to look in health)
I know drinking's an issue, as I just can't get her to drink very much at all. I've tried all sorts of novelty bottles, straws etc. I was wondering if perhaps offering more fruit juice that she would drink may be better than her filling up on actual food. But it's a very good point about starches - I guess thats where I need to pay more attention, the bread, rice, pasta etcs. I think I also need to find someway of slowing her down when eating.
And as for the activity - that comes and goes - today she's been running round like a complete loon all day, but yesterday she was screaming to go in DS's pushchair at the end of our road...
Brigitte your DD does sound the same - wishing you luck and if you find a magic trick let me know!

DD is about 19kg and 3 feet 3 inches.

I agree it is tough.

DS1 was born at 10lb 5oz, and was always 'well-covered.'
He had to wear clothes two years ahead throughout young childhood.

He's now 15 and Adonis-like (though I say it myself): 5'10'', 40in chest, 32in waist, thanks to discovering sports at secondary school, and probably the teenage growth spurt as well.

I'm now waiting for the same to happen with DD, who was 11lb 10oz at birth, again always 'well-covered,' but hasn't yet had her growth spurt.

It's hard to see them looking larger than you think they 'should' be, but in view of the fact DS2 is a skinny but is given the same food as his brother and sister, I'd advise trying not to worry or make an issue of it, as I'm sure your instincts are telling you.

I think that parents can get too hung up on weight. I don't think the media helps either. My son was overweight at 3 years old and has slimed out at 8 years old.

We found the answer to ditch the buggy and walk as much as possible. We also made the effort to exercise more as a family. It is easy to fall into the trap of taking the car for convience. Also limit TV and computer time so that more active pursuits aren't squeezed out.

Thanks lelait. We are indeed on the same boat! Good luck too.
Tonight after her dinner (baked leeks, fromage frais and strawberries), she wanted MORE! And I amange to distract her asking if she wanted a straw for her water...

manage, not amange.

A lot of it is definitely portion control, and it's a hard habit to break, as you get used to giving them "too much" then feel you are starving/depriving them when you reduce it to what it should be.

I remember seeing a documentary about overweight kids. The boy was about 5; the mum was adamant it wasn't her feeding that made him overweight because she always gave him healthy food. And it was true, no chips, loads of fruit and veg etc. But at about 4pm, when it was nearly time for tea she said "here's your snack" and gave him a GIANT bowl of weetabix and banana; completely unnecessary calories an hour before tea. But because it was healthy food the mum had completely overlooked that fact. Then tea arrived, and another massive portion.....

Didn't help that the mum followed him round with a wheelchair "because he can't walk far with his weight".

Oh WWWY & really thats great too hear! Thanks.
I went through periods when I was a bit chubby too so I think some of it is just my hang-ups.... we were singing silly songs to distract from the end of dinner tonight - more silliness needed I think!

Hi there. I have similar concerns regarding my DD (4).

What I find has helped lately is (I don't know if you do this) that instead of having dinner quite late and then pretty much off to bed, we try to eat as early as 5-5.30 and then afterwards go out for a long walk, to the playground or to play football or something. Then back to have a bath and then off to bed. As for adults I don't suppose it's healthy to go to bed on a full stomach, I just hadn't given it much thought.

Wish you all the best.

"I was wondering if perhaps offering more fruit juice that she would drink may be better than her filling up on actual food."

'Real' fruit juice (like OJ) is actually a very sugary drink unfortunately so offer sparingly. Water is ideal & sugar-free squashes are fine in moderation. Regular fluids help keep the digestion healthy (reduce risk of constipation) and also stop the tummy feeling totally empty.

Hi New, like you said we do eat quite late (around 7) and then pretty much straight to bed. Im not sure we can really change it on days when we both work and I kind of liked the idea of all eating together - but maybe a couple of days where the kids just ate together wouldn't be bad - but that would mean we wouldn't get to eat until much later ourselves...
Chil - for fruit juice its normally an apple & water mix with breakfast only (although when out sometimes she'll have a carton). I wasn't so keen on sugar replacements, but i guess if it gets her drinking maybe its not so bad...

I know this is a very old thread but wondered if anyone had an update on their child?

Im in the same boat with my 3 year old and would be good to see how these ones from 12 years ago got on.

It's very unlikely that you'll get a response @Rapunzel91 as the DC will be 14 or 15 now. You could try @ the OP to see if she responds but probably much better to simply start your own thread