overweight 8 year old

[kathhere]

Hello- this has probably been asked before so apologies if so.
My very nearly 8 yo daughter has developed a bit of a belly, we'd been hoping it's linked to her growing taller and that it would balance out in the long run, but it has been a few months and nothing's really changing. She hasn't said anything which is great - but I'd like to address it sooner than later

I know it's down to us as her parents to be responsible for what she eats and encourage her to do more exercise but I'm just a bit stuck and looking for hints please!

She'll eat loads of fruit if it's there, but would prefer sweets/ baked goods. Happy to try new foods but not a salad eater

Exercise wise - She likes swimming but isn't really one for running around. She's strong, but (like me) core strength is not great
Thanks for any advice

At eight years old she is a great age to join the Scouts as a cub scout or Girl Guides as a Brownie. Both groups will have weekly sessions comprising fun games as well as a chance to try more varied sporting activities that she might enjoy at a much lower cost than if you did so privately e.g. climbing, abseiling, canoeing, assault courses.

You can find out more about joining your local groups here:
Scouts- scouts.org.uk/get-involved/map-page/
Girl Guides- www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-parents/register-your-daughter/

Team sports are a great way for her to run more than she realises. Have you considered mini rugby? It involves some running but is great fun and burns a lot of calories. There are also a good mix of positions so she could play in different positions for variety.

Hope these ideas help.

You need to cut down on snacking, bad for teeth as well as weight. Fruit is great but should still be limited and baked goods should be no more than once or twice a week. Really difficult in the holidays as my two seem to have had ice cream every day so far...... maybe up her swimming.

Mine are allowed an ice cream if we're out but it's always after a half hour/hour walk and then we still have to walk the same again back home or, if we're in a country park for example, we walk the long way back to the car.
I make them go out every day either for a walk or a bike ride and they go on the trampoline. Have you got a garden? Is it an option for you to have some outside activities?
My middle DD(9) is the same, always asking for food so I try and fill her up on porridge in the morning and she's allowed breadsticks or chicken rather than sweet stuff.

Yes. More exercise is key. Is swimming fast front crawl or splashing around having fun? Both are good but one is using more calories and toning abdominal muscles.
Walk to school? Go for Sunday afternoon woodland or beach walks as a family? Dance rather than sport or yoga? Skipping ? Trampolines are excellent.
Agree children don't need constant snacks. Three good meals a day is more than sufficient. Clear all snacks from the house. Limit fruit except perhaps citrus fruit and melon. Bananas are high sugar and can add significant calories. Make fruit a pudding rather than a snack. Sweets only in small amounts and only on Saturdays or Sundays not both.

Wow thanks all for great suggestions- wasn't expecting anyone to read it so quickly. Lots to think about- thank you everyone

Is there a sport you could take up together? I used to take my DD to a family yoga class at that age (good for both your cores) or do you have a local park run or a martial arts class that you could do together. Don't reward exercise & activity with snacks. Make sure she has a hearty healthy breakfast to set her up for the day. Watch portion sizes, you say she doesn't like salad but would she have carrot & cucumber sticks? My son started turning his nose up at fruit & veg & I got him to choose something each shop that we all had to try & he would help to prep it.