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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Can a 2 year old be too fat?

30 replies

curiousgeorgie · 25/04/2013 21:49

My DD is absolutely beautiful and amazing and I feel bad even writing this but earlier today at soft play it was commented that she is 'so cute and pudgy' which I'd never really considered... But thinking about it she does have quite a large tummy and does mostly eat carbs as she is so fussy...

Do you monitor your child's food or is that absolutely ridiculous at this age?

She didn't walk until 23 months due to hypermobility and is still quite behind physically in terms of running, jumping and climbing, so her favourite activities are sitting ones like drawing and reading, playing with dolls.

I'm worried now that even asking this question makes me a horrible mum...

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InvaderZim · 25/04/2013 21:53

Have you had a 2 year old HV check? Done weight/height and made sure they are similar centiles? My DD is 50% height and between 25&50% weight and she still has a huge bulgy toddler tummy! So it may just be perception, people are actually always commenting on how tall she is.

thingamajig · 25/04/2013 21:58

You are not a horrible mother, just a good one who cares about your child's health. Loads of toddlers are a bit pudgy, mine have the funniest round tummies, and are definitely not fat (4th percentile). Have you had your two year old check with the health visitor? - they do weight and height at that, so you can see where she is in comparison to others.
I would encourage her to do more moving about, to burn off energy and develop muscle tone - just being outside makes my twins move around loads - its healthy for children whatever their weight.

TeWiSavesTheDay · 25/04/2013 22:01

At 2 her belly will stick out - that's her liver.

If she was a late walker her bodyshape might not be quite the same as an average 2yo yet anyway, IME at least it takes a little while for the baby shape to change to one more suited to walking.

To answer your question, yes a 2yo can be too chubby, but that doesn't mean your DD is. My DD (now 4) looked chubby for a long time but was never overweight - her weight and height were proportional and she was fine. I would speak to your HV or GP if you are concerned.

TeWiSavesTheDay · 25/04/2013 22:03

I agree that my children are naturally more active outside than in! Especially with one or two other children they know.

Minimaxkids · 25/04/2013 22:05

DS is coming up 3, on centiles is 25 weight and 50 height. I can't buy trousers or pants to fit him which to me is illogical. If average is 50 then clothes should be a good fit for average children. Nope, all huge. Stupidly huge on him.

So if clothes from high street fit or are too small for your Dd then she could be average to large. Measure her against her red book. There are also children BMI charts of you google

Purely non scientific of course.

abbyfromoz · 25/04/2013 22:12

My DD is huge (just turned two). I am really tired of all the comments about her size but GP says she's very healthy so i'm not worried. Would rather a pudgy bub than a thin bub!!!

Smudging · 25/04/2013 22:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fantail · 25/04/2013 22:26

No - asking questions about your child's health makes you a lovely caring Mum.

Yes, I think that children at 2 can start having weight issues. But it is normal for toddlers to have a sticking out belly, as someone mentioned that is the internal organs.

My DD is 91st centile for height and 75th for weight, even though she could walk at around 12 months, she has only just lost her ultra chubby thighs. And yes, she has a little pot belly. She is going through a bit of a picky phase, some days she will eat little and other days heaps - frustrating, but you just have to go with it.

I would check with your doctor if you are concerned, but other than that, activities like the soft play will help her catch up.

I also have problems with buying DD's clothes. I think the issue is that from 2 most clothes are designed for a larger age range and so don't always take into account a toddler's shape (odd and so unique to the child).

Flojobunny · 25/04/2013 22:30

My 7 yo DS was very podgy and didn't walk til he was 23 months and still isn't great at sports. I used to fuss about his weight, he would eat anything and not stop and was always in clothes sizes well above his age. But now he is so skinny despite still having a good appetite.
If you are worried then weigh and measure her and see if she's on similar centile to birth. Or use children's BMI calculator online. I do this now to check DS isn't under weight.

abbyfromoz · 25/04/2013 22:44

YY about clothes. DD is the height of a 3 y/o. I buy size 2/3&4 for her. I found size 3/4 for dresses, tops (sleeve length!) and p.j's, but trousers are a battle...even leggings.

MiaowTheCat · 26/04/2013 08:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AThingInYourLife · 26/04/2013 08:17

I think a 2 year old who has just started walking is likely to be a bit chubby.

Between 2.5 and 3 they suddenly get much taller and stop looking like toddlers.

That's when the pudge usually goes.

Sirzy · 26/04/2013 08:24

Like other have said just keep an eye on her, use any nice wether as a chance to get outside running around and being active.

With regards food intake as long as you make sure she isn't eating too much and the diet is balanced then that should be enough (easier said than done with some children I know!)

If your concerned then get her weight and height checked but remember they get "fatter" before a growth spurt so even that alone doesn't necessarily say much.

Goldmandra · 26/04/2013 08:29

Another thing to consider is that children often seem to put on a bit of weight look a little more chubby just before a growth spurt. Then they grow into their weight and look better proportioned again.

JollyPurpleGiant · 26/04/2013 08:43

My 2yo is between 50th and 75th for height and between 75th and 91st for weight. Despite this, he is fairly slim. People are very surprised when they pick him up and he is so heavy. He has been described as solid.

Looking at him in the bath, trying to look objectively, he has no chub on his tummy, and a little on his arms. He has very, very muscular legs though. If he carries on like this he's not going to get those knobbly knees that a lot of little boys get.

His legs are just like mine

Children are all different shapes and sizes. if your health professionals have no concerns then I wouldn't worry :)

fififrog · 26/04/2013 09:10

My DD is 75th for height, 91st for weight and looks a little chubby compared to others but she's dead cute, not actually fat, and no I don't worry a jot about what she eats because although we eat cake sometimes she doesn't live on maccy d's and we have a very varied diet. 2yr check today! :)

DeWe · 26/04/2013 09:25

It must be possible to have a 2yo that's too fat. There must be a stage you need to worry.

However from that comment, it certainly doesn't mean it's you. At 2yo they do need a bit of chub, and when they have that they do look gorgeous because they have a little baby face.

If you're worried, then weigh and measure her-make it a game, do the same with her doll and things like that. The one measure will not tell you that she's overweight, as others have said, many reasons for that at present. But measure again say in July, August time and compare the two.
She won't necessarily go along a centile line, they are only there for guidance.

You can be careful about what she eats without making a thing of it, if you want. I was careful with dd1 who was huge at 9months (at the stage where HV said the heavier the better). That meant making sure just fruit for snacks, not seconds of pudding, and just being careful that she wasn't overeating. I never refused food, never made a thing of it, and she never realised.
She loved her food at that point, and would also eat when bored, plus dh's family has a tendancy to overweight.

ChunkyPickle · 26/04/2013 09:44

People always find something to comment on with a child - 'Oh he's so tall' or 'what big hands' or whatever - I think that a lot of the time they're just making conversation or don't realise what's normal for a toddler (DS is average - 50% centile for everything - clothes still don't fit, and people comment all the time that he's tall)

Check centile lines, check HV, and don't worry about it - there's nice wide range of normal for a 2 year old, as long as she's not at one of the super-extreme ends of it then it'll all settle down and be fine I expect.

SuedeEffectPochette · 26/04/2013 13:24

Yes it is possible to have a two year old who is too fat. However, you can't put them on a diet. If doctor/HV advise you can try to cut down on sweet and fatty snacks. I was a fat child and I am a fat adult. One tends to follow another. My children are not fat (yet!) and i do my best not to give unnecessary fatty/sweet treats. Given that half of all our kids now are probably going to end up obese, you have to do your best to give them a taste for healthier food when young. Go and see your doctor and ask advice. Generally if a child looks overweight/fat they are IYSWIM.

fififrog · 26/04/2013 17:09

PS just back from the 2 yr check - 95th ish for height, 80th ish for height, HV said "perfectly in proportion" :)

Goldmandra · 26/04/2013 17:12

That's good.

She's just as cute and pudgy as she should be. Enjoy those squidgy hugs

fififrog · 26/04/2013 17:13

Sorry, 95th ish for weight!! idiot me!

Goldmandra · 26/04/2013 21:08

Even more perfect.

Glad you've been reassured

fififrog · 27/04/2013 09:08

Ha ha gold wasn't me who was worried - just trying to show OP that chubby is normal and even HVs don't mind!

Goldmandra · 27/04/2013 09:59

Well now he knows that it's not just normal - it's positively desirable!

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