7 years old and 9 stone advice please.

[VanillaIce1]

There's a child I know very well, who is 7 years old just turned. She's very overweight and in 6 weeks has gained a stone.

She's now 9 stone 2.
The mum Isn't bothered and says it's down to over eating which could be true as there is a lot of access to snacks etc when parent is at work.
The thing is there's four kids and they all eat roughly the same yet it's only this one who's this big. My heart breaks for her she's now in size 14 woman's clothes or a 14/15 teenage clothes.
She's very tall maybe just under 5ft already I'm not sure exactly but she towers over everyone she looks about 12 but she's just 7.

Mum did take her doctors years back who apparently diagnosed her with IBS after a small exploratory op looking for something else.

I just think there's more to this and that it isn't down to over eating, yet my concerns are being ignored and I feel really sorry for her.
She eats and eats to the point she will vomit some days as she's so full, but she never ever feels full up.
Does any one have any advice if this is just normal or not please?

Are you sure that figure is correct? 9 stone at 7 years old? That is the weight of a woman (not me, but many!)
Depending on your relationship, you should flag this to someone surely? She must be a very unhappy little girl.

@icelollycraving Yes 100% sure.
When I had her here in September I think it was she was 8stone I think?
My DD is around a year younger and is about 4 stone, and I remember saying to my partner that's not right she's double the size and then some, it cant just be down to eating?.
She's very tall too I'm 5ft6 and id say she comes up to my upper chest? I don't know now how tall exactly she is.

@icelollycraving I am trying it's really shit to be honest and it's not fair that no one is listening to me. If I had my way I'd have her here for ever with me to be honest.

There is a medical Condition that makes children feel like they are constantly hungry but can't think of the name of it. Does she go to school? (as opposed to being honeschooled I mean) surely the school would raise any concerns?

This is not normal. My 7 year old isn't even 3 stone. She's one of the snmaller ones, but still. Not normal. She needs help.

@Gymohithoughtyousaidgin Hi she does and I'm not sure if they've mentioned it I know social was involved at one point but closed the case.

I have heard about a condition to do with a gland that doesn't send signals to the brain to tell it, the tummy is fall but mum won't listen I've also wondered Prada willi is it called but I don't think it's that.

I'm really worried about this thread being identified as it's so specific

Prada-Willi syndrome also typically involves learning difficulties & other health issues and is typically diagnosed shortly after birth. But there are other conditions that can cause excessive eating.

the child should definitely be taken to the doctor because something needs to change to avoid ruining their health. either diet or there is something hormonal or something.

@parietal Thinking of it she's a very emotional child very quick to cry a lot when something minor happens or just upset. Not very good at maths and English and stuff I'm not sure about other subjects I just think someone should look at this as a whole. May be it is just over eating but there could be something else going on. I agree she needs to be seen but she won't be taken anywhere.
As a baby I remember her being very quiet barely cried ever.

It’s in children’s health so less likely to be picked up unlike AIBU etc.
I don’t say it lightly but could the school be an idea to talk to?

@icelollycraving I thought that but I honestly think I'd be seen as interfering or something. And I don't want to get stopped seeing them or it to be awkward.

I know two adults with Prada Willi, and I've known other children and adult with it due to the nature of my old work. Most had obvious developmental delays but actually one was a colleague and much more able, and so I suppose it could be missed. Not crying as a baby is definitely a symptom I'm aware of. Also the appetite thing usually kicks in after infanthood, as a toddler or pre-schooler. I'd look into it more and see if it fits.

@user64323 weirdly enough she was normal sized I hate using that phrase up until around 4 I think. Also had really really bad teeth lots of broken teeth and easy to lose them. Has a lot of adult teeth now. Forgot about that.

Speak to the school.They probably already have concerns but this is exactly the sort of thing a school nurse referral can be made for. The parent doesn't need to know that you have contacted the school.

Actually PW causes short stature. But there are other endocrine disorders that cause excessive hunger and growth that should be looked into.

It could also be early puberty. A friend's daughter started her period age 8, but piled on a lot of weight and height beforehand after being so slight, although now as an older teenager her peers have overtaken her in height at last and she is still overweight.

She needs checking for growth disorders. She needs hormone levels checking at the very least.
Would the parent be more receptive if you approached it this way rather than a 'you are overfeeding your child' way?
Obviously the constant snacking isn't helping but it sounds like something else could well be going on here.
Perhaps if you focus on her height rather than weight in a conversation?
You need to be gentle enough to get her to a health professional and into the system so to speak. Ignore all the bad stuff and concentrate only on the 'no one's fault' potential side

@Calmdown14 I've tried that all I get told is child is a greedy pig. I've even said forget the over eating just go doctors and let them make the opinion but no she doesn't want any help or opinions. Apparently they are just going to try a diet instead.

Poor child, she must be uncomfortably overweight and her own mother calls her a greedy pig? That is heartbreaking.

Please speak to the school about your concerns.

Even if it is “just” overeating she is going to need significant medical help if she is ever going to get to a healthy weight.

To put into perspective - I have an 11 year old and an 8 year old - their combined weight is less than 9 stone. And they are not diddy dainty little things! Average height, slim - yes but not really skinny.

To gain a stone in 6 weeks you need to be gaining over 2 pounds a week. That is more than 1000 calories a day on top of need. That is huge. Even if it is just overeating - how is she getting hold of that level of food?

@Mumoftwoinprimary I have no idea . I think when mum is at work dad is letting them rifle through the cupboards I'm not sure.

What relation are you to the child and to the mother? I think that will be important in figuring out how to approach this.

I would be concerned for more than her weight if her mum is calling her a greedy pig. You can lose weight but you can’t forget words like that from your mum.

I just mean it’s important as if you’re a friend or this child is a friend of your daughter it’s difficult to approach as the mother may just cut you out, but if it’s your sister for example you can say come on you need to get a grip of this before your daughter ends up unwell.

My son is 11, 5’3 and 9 stone. He looks very fat and it worries me.
He is autistic and is ALWAYS hungry. He eats fruit and veg mainly but lots of it and hates exercise. He’s under paediatric consultants for various things including his bowels but they just say put him on a diet. There is a definite lack of support for overweight kids.

Even if it’s ‘just’ overeating, the child needs help.