Child overeating

[Dailyhandtowelwash]

My child is 9 and overweight. I have two others who are not, one with ASD and very restricted eating, and one who happily eats healthy and varied food.

My overweight DC started putting weight on a couple of years ago but the last year has really seen an increase. Their appetite is enormous. We are making huge efforts to control portions, offer healthy options and encourage exercise, and I really, really don’t want to raise the issue directly as their self esteem is still good and they have never referred to it themselves.

They are not naturally athletic. They are a bookworm who loves to curl up in a blanket on the sofa and watch TV.

They are me as a child too, which I recognise. My own mother made me hate myself by constantly talking about my weight, putting me on diets etc and I will not go down that road.

I remain overweight but eat very healthily and exercise. I can see that they’ve inherited my body shape and probably my crap metabolism too, but they undeniably eat too much whatever we do. I don’t know how to restrict eating further (as every good Mumsnet child does, all my kids have open access to the fruit bowl) without raising the issue of weight so it all feels a bit Catch-22.

I would look at trying to get her in to something she enjoys doesn't that's active. Sports club/trampoline/dance etc.

Actively try to buy low fat/healthier items.

Also make meals a little smaller, she is filling up on fruit anyway.

Finally if that isn't enough I would reduce the amount of food available and make it about who had the last fruit/crips/treat, to make her think about what she is eating rather rather than about her weight.

I started putting on weight at 9-10 years old and my parents did nothing about it, except to criticise me, and I’ve spent a lifetime battling my weight. Please try to help your DC now and not leave it until diet and a sedentary lifestyle become entrenched.

Perhaps get the whole family into a fun exercise activity like swimming, trampoline, bike riding, dancing etc. Clear the house of junk food and sugary drinks - even slim family members don’t need to eat it - and limit future purchases of junk snacks.

Offer protein-based foods if hungry outside of meals - fruit, while good for you, is also full of sugar which converts to fat. Max 2 pieces per day. Check portion sizes are appropriate for the DC’s age too, and don’t forget that even adults mistake hunger for thirst.

You can always ask your GP for a referral to a paediatric dietician too. We’ve done this for DS who is a fussy eater and it’s been useful.