Overweight child- support thread

[Wafflefudge]

Wondering if there is any interest in a support thread for parents trying to help their overweight child.
Maybe share tips, food swaps that have worked, ways to encourage exercise etc.

Yes please. I have a 14 year old boy who is really self conscious although as he's grown taller, he has thinned out a lot. It's his stomach and upper body area for him, I think changing for PE at school must be hard and also not feeling good about himself although I always compliment how handsome he is etc and tell him not to worry, everyone is different with their own issues.
I try to promote healthy eating and we have a crosstrainer. He's not Sporty so not interested in joining any clubs or doing football etc.
I think he is disheartened at not seeing the results he wants, told him things take time and not to worry.
He's now saying he doesn't want any desserts.
Don't want to make him feel like he has to worry about and try to lose weight too much but he's at that age where it just bothers him.

Sorry only just seen this. That must be really difficult if he is self conscious.
Difficult to get the balance between encouraging him without making him feel worse.

Can anyone help?..

our daughter is 11 and overweight
I try to exercise with her etc bought a running machine go to parks but she’s just not interested and everyday is a battle.
she’s tried every club but doesn’t like any, the only thing she does is swimming and we go twice a week..

looking for tips advice or if anyone knows of any weight loss camps? We’re based in Tooting

we watch her food intake, I make everything fresh, we don’t have takeaways and I watch her portion size ..

when cleaning her room recently I found so many wrappers for food that she’s been sneaking
she’s already being bullied for her weight and as year 7 approaches we’re worried about her

thank you everyone

I have a ten year old who is overweight. 96th centile and has tracked that line for height since he was a toddler. I suspect he’s going to be pretty tall but I don’t want to assume it will all even out.

We do very lightly talk about needing to be careful with certain foods. He isn’t always asking for food thankfully but does like to eat junk food given the opportunity. I let him eat pizza and snack food but it’s always alongside salad and fruit. I think for him it needs to be more exercise which we are definitely stepping up.

He isn’t keen on breakfast. I don’t eat until lunch normally so whilst I do make him eat fruit in primary I probably won’t force him to eat breakfast in his secondary years. No point in firing up the appetite until you’re actually hungry.

My oldest (10) was overweight past lockdown but is now finally back at a healthy weight.
He isn’t really sporty either (in contrast to his brother who dances at least 2 hours per day, more in the weekend - and consequently eats enormous amounts of food while staying slim).
Happy to share what we did, but as he’s not overweight anymore not sure if you want me to?

It sounds like you're doing the right thing for her diet on your end (though be careful around portion size as it can be difficult to adequately portion so they are eating enough but not an adult size)

Where is she getting the junk food? If she is buying herself maybe you could look at putting restrictions on her spending like giving her all money through a go Henry type account (where I think you can track spending on block it as the parent)

If she is getting it from others you need to get them to stop

Also make sure the food you are making is filling enough with slow release carbs etc. So she's less likely to snack put of hunger

Keep doing what you are doing to get her out of the house and encourage activity when you can. Try to make it a positive and model enthusiasm and hopefully she may start to enjoy it more.

Yes please.

My youngest is almost 9, 138cm and is 7 stone 4 in weight.

I really don't know how to help her. She is conscious of her weight and has cried about clothing etc and even been bullied for it.

Would the GP be able to help at all does anyone know?

Thanks

This is a good idea as I've found advice on this hard to find.

In my case it's a step child. Almost 8 but quite overweight. Hasn't been weighed so not sure how much but he is wearing age 10-11 and beyond clothes and not for height.

He does exercise doing some sports each week but I am sure the issue is snacks and portion sizes. He is constantly asking for food and can easily eat an adult size dinner. Portions have been cut down and snacks offered here are healthy. I am not convinced his mum does this though. I think she rewards with placates him with food which began the issues.