Many kids have noticeably gained weight

[Lazt]

We’re a few days back in school now and I’ve really noticed that many many kids have put on weight since March, quite a number are now noticeably overweight. We’re in a reasonably affluent area where I would’ve said pre lockdown the slightly overweight kids were very much in the minority.

I include my own kids in this who were pretty slim before are definitely chunkier but not overweight.

It’s just so shit. This is not a judgement on parents, just the terrible situation we’ve put our children in.

Ds2 is chunkier. He's gone from playing football most days to just a walk or a quick covid run in March and April.

Not good.

I wish PE was going to be a priority.... our school is doing an extra hour of maths and English each day (which my child doesn't need.)

Most kids arent sat at a desk all day with a couple of hours PE a week. Every week dd (9) would do basketball, football, badminton, table tennis, swimming and 2 lots of dance. Her school is very sports oriented and they did PE every day. It's made a big difference and she has a little tummy now she didnt have before. So much privilege on this thread. This for instance:

lazylinguist I haven't noticed this at all tbh. My dc have been doing more exercise than normal as we've been doing longer family dog walks when they'd normally be sitting at their desks at school all day. We've all got faster at walking and better at doing longer distances. Lots of the kids we know have been constantly out walking or cycling with their families, some canoeing or paddleboarding. I don't think I've seen any kids locally who have noticeably put on weight

For a start during lockdown it was 1hrs max exercise so even if I wanted to I couldnt take dd for 5 hrs dog walks. And I worked, as did DH and most people I know. So full time WFH, trying to home school as well and getting any meaningful exercise was nigh on impossible. And water sports centres were closed until last week so we're talking about kids who had their own canoes, paddleboards and access to open water. That's great for them but so fucking far from most children's lives.

Most kids arent sat at a desk all day with a couple of hours PE a week. Every week dd (9) would do basketball, football, badminton, table tennis, swimming and 2 lots of dance. Her school is very sports oriented and they did PE every day. It's made a big difference and she has a little tummy now she didnt have before. So much privilege on this thread. This for instance:

lazylinguist I haven't noticed this at all tbh. My dc have been doing more exercise than normal as we've been doing longer family dog walks when they'd normally be sitting at their desks at school all day. We've all got faster at walking and better at doing longer distances. Lots of the kids we know have been constantly out walking or cycling with their families, some canoeing or paddleboarding. I don't think I've seen any kids locally who have noticeably put on weight

For a start during lockdown it was 1hrs max exercise so even if I wanted to I couldnt take dd for 5 hrs dog walks. And I worked, as did DH and most people I know. So full time WFH, trying to home school as well and getting any meaningful exercise was nigh on impossible. And water sports centres were closed until last week so we're talking about kids here who have their own canoes, paddleboards and access to open water. That's great for them but so fucking far from most children's lives and experiences. Alot dont even have a garden or green open space nearby ffs.

Lots of the kids we know have been constantly out walking or cycling with their families, some canoeing or paddleboarding

niice. id be surprised if they did all that in march, April and may- but hey. there are huge differences in peooles lockdown experiences as well arent there- in families where parents are adjusting to working from home, kids are less likely to be constantly cycling. schools also responded differently- ds' school expected him to sit a full timetable on pc, dds did nothing.

@XiCi exercise was never restricted to one hour

Yes paddle boarding and camping shows massive privilege.

Whilst I don’t think parents should beat themselves up over this, it is a life skill to be able to moderate what you eat to your activity level and we should be modelling/teaching our children this so that they can maintain a healthy weight into adulthood.

That said, this pandemic has been exceptional circumstances so as long as things are put right in the next 6 months or so then no harm done if kids a bit chubby at the mo.

We’ve been unable to do gym, ballet, park run and swimming. We’ve also not been in school nursery so no running around at break.

Hopefully it will drop off when back at school.

I've not noticed but then we've been shielded and not out and about. The lass who lives opposite has definitely gained weight but I put that down to puberty as her sister seems the same as always.
Dd is 13 and now 39kg. I've only recently bought scales so I don't know what she was before. Dd who is 11 is 34kg, and 5 year old ds is 17kg. They have grown taller and slightly heavier I think but were criticised for being skinny before so any weight gain for them is a good thing. They'll be back to walking two miles to school and back soon so any weight that is excess for them will drop off.
I gained weight but have lost it now. I think most people have gained though. I was walking 5 miles a day on the school run before so I've missed that.
Children will usually grow taller so will even out. It's the adults who don't have that benefit and might stay fat.

My 8 year old has put on 7.5 pounds! He needed it as he was under weight at 3 stone 2 at the start of lockdown. His ribs are no longer sticking out, we've been a bit lazy but he's done a fewn20 mile plus bike rides and been out for a walk every day.

My friend's son has put on loads and was already overweight. He's definitely fat now rather than stocky.

Tbh it's fine to see kids' ribs. Not a problem as long as kids are bright eyed and energetic.

Temporary weight gain is not always temporary, especially if joined with fitness reduction, the hormonal changes change appetite, so the higher weight is likely to be defended. Kids obviously have the opportunities to reset these as they're growing and have other significant changes, but there's no guarantee at all.

Going out for a walk is in no way sufficient exercise for a child, it doesn't even remotely meet the government guidelines, a fit child would not get breathless or feel warmer from a walk, and nothing for any strengthening of any muscle or bone group in the upper body.

Plenty of research shows that exercise in all ages, but particularly in children is more intense and more beneficial (growth hormone response) when it is done with peers, so even the kids who did the same amount of exercise in time, is unlikely to have done the same amount in actual benefit.

Fitness and fatness will have been hugely hit in kids and adults throughout the world, although the countries with the never leave the house lockdown probably have done even worse.

I've noticed my normally bean pole 7 year old has a bit of podge, has a wee roll when he sits down and softness round the stomach and chest area. He is back to school full time today so expecting it will fall off and he will probably shoot up 3 inches at the same time.

Are playgrounds all open now? They are round our way and I'm very happy to see kids' out playing.

My youngest has stayed the same.

My 11 year old is a swimmer and has gone from just under a 26 inch waist to just over 27, I had to measure him for new swim shorts. He has lost weight though. You can see he has lost muscle, despite doing pe with joe every day and cycling most days.

Tbh it's fine to see kids' ribs. Not a problem as long as kids are bright eyed and energetic.
It more than fine , pre puberty if you can’t see a child’s ribs there is a good chance they are overweight.

My kid got flagged as underweight by school measuring system.

I was not concerned as he'd been serially unwell for that autumn, as happens when they start school sometimes. Plus he is of a narrow, tall build.

The nurse agreed BUT I did think then, some parents will take this the wrong way.

Mine got flagged as underweight also, the letter was accompanied by a letter telling me to switch to low fat spread etc!
Her consultant for a unrelated condition to weight was horrified and said her weight was perfect and she was petite and in proportion.
I do think we have lost site of what a healthy weight is in children. They should look like children did in the 1970’s with their ribs showing. The constant snacking culture that starts at nursery has a lot to answer too.

Aldi the anti fat stuff gets me irritated.

Same kid tells me later in school life that cheese is unhealthy. Reeducation was needed!

Its understandable and probably temporary in most instances.

I know many posters are enjoying winding parents up for not actively encouraging canoeing over lockdown but in our defence many parents were working from home and trying to homeschool into the bargain. So the only paddling happening was the furious treading of water to try and keep everything afloat.

The canoeing made me smile.

@CommonCarder

The canoeing made me smile.

Yes, canoeing and paddle boarding is of course out of reach for many many people. Particularly as water sports clubs were closed so it would involve you owning your own canoe or paddle board.

I don't think any of our more local outdoor stuff is open for lessons or hire even noe.

My daughter has. She's tall for age too. We don't have a garden as in a flat so at the start it was really hard to get daily exercise without seeing people too closely as we're in a busy area. Plus we baked a lot. We've been going on long walks and swimming in the sea now its warmer but I hope being back at school in a few weeks helps!

Surprisingly not. I think switching school dinners which are quite stodgy with pudding every day for light lunches at home has balanced out decrease in activity. Plus they've both grown upwards as it happens. I worry about their fitness though.