Worried about DS (3)

[Nicole1976]

Hello All,
I have great concern about my three year old boy after talking to one of the staff at his nursery. She told me about how, during their sports afternoon, my son had really struggled to take part because of his weight and that during their little running event he was breathless immediately and could only just walk for it. If anyone else has a child with similar problems, please give me some advice ;)

[Looseleaf]

LadySybil's diet changes sound good- think if he has more nutritious proteins like boiled egg for breakfast he won't need so many carbs. I think this could slowly make a big change.

[magpiegin]

Can he start swimming lessons? Or you could take him? It sounds like he needs to be doing some form of regular exercise.

With the diet I agree with the others, swap the chocolate for an apple if he is hungry, and he needs more of a balanced diet. This really needs sorting now, it won't be easy but the older he gets the harder it will be.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Don't switch to low fat/fat free stuff either as they are full of crap, fat Is needed in the diet, but it's better coming from nuts, coconut oil , seeds, avocado etc that will contain proteins or other vitamins, than coming from crisps and chocolate.

You will find he eats less when given a bowl of porridge with full fat milk or scrambled egg, than when eating sugar and empty calorie laden cereal. So ironically will consume less calories, as he will feel full and not need to snack.

Keep a food diary also , so you can better keep track of what he's eating.

[Pancakeflipper]

Do you do family walks together? A Sunday morning walk?
It sounds like nothing will change much for him unless exercise is introduced as something you do as a family.
Swimming classes?

Scootering/swimming/cycling/orienteering as a family. Just him seeing exercise together as a family is a positive happy thing. The more he does the more able he will be.

[Smartiepants79]

What about with kids his own age? Will he run around with them?
My three yr old can barely stand still unless the TV is on.
She is constantly on the move.
I agree that it sounds like you need to look carefully at portion sizes and try and replace the snacks with fruit or veg.
Look for hidden calories and fats as well - fruit juices, cereals, sauces all have sugars in that you maybe don't count when your adding it up.
What about structured exercise? Swimming, dance, gymnastics? His getting to the age when he can join these kind of clubs.

[LadySybilLikesCake]

Trampolines are good fun. I'm sure you can get ones for younger children, they have handles on them. You have to encourage him, little but often and build it up. He won't be keen to start off with as it's new to him and he'll get tired quickly. It's a long process but you have to help him. Sorting his diet will help him too, he's eating far too much and he doesn't need the chips/sandwiches/toast. He needs more veg and a balanced diet. Your health visitor will help you.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

I would take him swimming. The water will support his weight and it excercises practically every muscle

[Nicole1976]

I do try and play with him but he loses interest very quickly

[Sirzy]

When he is in the garden do you play with him and actively encourage him to move?

You aren't going to change his habits overnight but I am sure you are aware that you have to change it now. You don't want him going to school and being unable to keep up with his peers on the playground do you?

[Nicole1976]

He goes out in our back garden a lot but just sits on the grass when he's out there, I do drive him to places like parks but there is a vicious circle of me walking him a bit to get there, and then him being too tired to play.

[Enb76]

If this is genuine then really he's just eating too much for his activity level. A medical cause is unlikely. Highly carb heavy, low on veg and too many empty calories - he certainly doesn't need a chocolate bar everyday either. He is unlikely to be able to regulate how much he eats, especially now he's overweight, so you have to do that for him. You have absolute control over this situation - good luck, you can definitely turn this around.

[Sirzy]

That would be the first thing I was tackling then. While the weather is this good is the perfect chance.

Do you have a garden or access to a park? If so get him out there as often as you can. It doesn't need to be 'exercise' just normal active play.

If you drive him places park a bit further away, if you use buses get off a stop sooner.

[LadySybilLikesCake]

And you don't see this as part of the problem too?

Your health visitor is useful. If I were you I'd give her a call and ask her to pop around. She'll be able to give you some healthy eating and exercise advice.

[Nicole1976]

For those of you asking about activity levels, he doesn't really do any exercise at all at the moment, he very rarely walks anywhere and isn't as naturally active as other kids

[apermanentheadache]

There are medical conditions - prader-willi and hypothyroidism to name two - that could cause off-the-scale BMI and need ruling out.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

What does he drink?

[SolomanDaisy]

Is it his weight you're concerned about or that he might have another condition like asthma? Has the gp given you any advice?

[NickyEds]

I'm no expert but it sounds a bit carb heavy and veg light-toast, pasta,bread, chips then sandwiches as snacks. That said I'm sure he could burn it off. What kind of exercise does he get? I'd second a referral to check up on medical reasons for his weight. It can't be nice for him to struggle.

[LadySybilLikesCake]

Maybe change what he's eating as there's a lot of carbohydrates there, and it looks as though you're giving him too much, there also isn't enough veg.

Try this;

Breakfast - cereal and fruit, or an omelette. He's little and he doesn't need toast too.

Snack - fruit, maybe a few cubes of cheese, carrot sticks with a dip?

Lunch - pasta salad, so with veg and tuna, or a little chicken with veg. Again, he doesn't need a sandwich, you're giving him too much. His tummy's small compared to yours.

Dinner - steamed fish, new potatoes and veg?

Try to keep it balanced. Meat/fish/eggs (are all proteins). Veg/fruit (for vitamins and minerals). Cereals (give fibre and fortified vitamins like folic acid). As little sugar as you can (found in chocolate, fruit juice, cakes etc), and reduce the carbs (pasta and sandwiches). He needs calcium, from milk, spinach, cheese etc. It's OK to have chocolate, not every day though. Look at your portion control. He's small, he doesn't need adult sized meals like you.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

Does he eat veg?

[Sirzy]

What are the portion sizes like? That sounds like a fair bit really.

Simply for comparision DS is 4.5 and today has had

Beans on toast for breakfast
Pasta salad for dinner
Lefteover turkey, chips and veg for tea.

Pack of cheddars as a snack.

Not a great eating day but about the same amount he normally has. Always use side plates which are about 3/4 full

[Gileswithachainsaw]

That's a lot of carbs tbh. Pasta and sandwiches is uneccessary. What breakfast cereal does he eat? Is it one that's high in sugar?

Porridge with ff milk would be better.
Or French toast and berries

He needs fat and protein to fill him up.

Ditch the chocolate bars too. Fine as part if a healthy diet but won't do anything fir him if he's already over weight.

What kind of potion are you giving?

[apermanentheadache]

That doesn't sound too bad if the portion sizes are normal altho sandwiches for snacks suggests he is eating a fair bit.

Do you think he eats a lot compared to other kids his age?

[Nicole1976]

Breakfast- toast & cereal

Lunch - pasta, maybe some sandwiches too if he's still hungry

Dinner - fish fingers and chips

Snacks, fruit, sandwiches, chocolate bar

[apermanentheadache]

I second getting him referred to check for any medical causes....