Anyone had their DC tested for problems which could be causing obesity?

[tootsietoo]

I've posted about this before here, but I've been searching and searching for help and not really finding any! DD1 is 8 and clinically obese (NHS sent me that letter after she was weighed at school, and she's bigger now. She is nearly wearing my clothes - I am buying her ladies size 8 sometimes!). She does plenty of exercise. I feed her a good diet, which I am making healthier and healthier all the time, and not too much of it. I took her to the Dr (for something else) but booked a double appt to ask her about a possible referral to a nutritionist. Doctor would not help - basically said if I was feeding her well and she did exercise, there was no problem. I've googled til my eyes hurt, and found very little help - almost everything about childhood obesity assumes that it is because children are sedentary and eat junk. I have found some US sites about Leptin, insulin resistance and low carb diets, which seems to make sense, so I've cut down hugely on the carbs we eat. But none of it is making any difference, if anything she has more rolls of fat on her than a year ago.

There is no doubt that genes are a factor - DH and all his family are obese. Also, I had gestational diabetes with DD2, and I suspect I may have had undiagnosed gestational diabetes with DD1, and I have found articles which say there may be a link between that and obesity in the child (great, it's the mother's fault again!)

Is there anyone out there who has had this problem? Should I be investigating anything else? Eg. thyroid problems? It's driving me mad, I can't think where else to go with this. Any ideas or shared experiences needed. Thanks.

Just to say I am in the same boat and rowing nowhere fast. my dd aged 10 is classed as obese but it's all on her stomach. Skinny legs, arms, face etc etc but looks 9 months pregnant. She has been tested for colieacs and chains but other than that docs don't help. trouble is I am obese from eating badly and disordered eating so docs assume its the same for dd when it isnot. No help to you I know but may help to know you are not alone.

Hi tootsie I feel your pain. For years I have watched my DD's diet, encouraged exercise and sought support from professionals. My DD has been obese most her life, it is all on her tummy.
We have taken part in weight management programs, cut out food groups, seen dietitians, but never been able to find out why she continues to gain weight.
I feel like I am going mad, that I am judged by others parents who I am sure all think I secretively overfeed her (I would think that if it wasn't my child).
Over the last year as you have seen in my post, she has started having terrible pains, previously she would occasionally complain of tummy ache, but nothing on this level. I do believe it is all somehow linked, but I just can't work out how.
I have also spent hours on google trying to find information, but like you have only found information about children who over eat.
You do get to a point where you can't reduce a diet any further. That is where we are now and the weight continues to go on and the tummy expands further.
I am sorry I can't offer any practical advice/support. We are still under a dietitian who insists she will grow into herself. We are also expecting a miracle when her periods start.
I hope it helps knowing you are not the only ones.

It really helps to know I'm not alone. It's so painful to think that they (and we) might struggle on for years with a problem which is obvious but which can't be diagnosed.

The difference with my DD is that she is fat all over! Not just tummy, she is chunky everywhere. I can't help but feel that there is some hormonal imbalance, or some type of issue with insulin which isn't diabetes.

Just had a though. When I thought there was an issue with DD balance etc but gp,s were usless I got her refered to child health services who did a complete review of her health from all points of view inc a paediatrician - may be worth sewing if your health services have a similar service. Then all the medics have a panel meeting and compare evaluations etc.

Thanks Jinglebells, I'll have a look.