My dd is getting fat :(

[bluejelly]

My dd is nearly 8, she has got quite a big tummy ( pokes out of her clothes) and is starting to get a double chin!
She is very active at school, goes swimming regularly and skating. She has a fairly big appetite but eats healthily ( no crisps, fizzy drinks, sweet cereals hardly any sweets, cakes or biscuits)... Toast or cereal in the morning, school dinners for lunch, normal dinner in the evening...
She has started complaining about being fat all the time, saying she is the heaviest in her class ( she is also one of the tallest)
Is there anything I can do? Or will she just grow out of it?

Alycat - you are right. Not every little girl is tiny. Some just have bigger frames. I often think my kids have it very lucky being about 50th weight, 60th height DD and 60th and 70th in ds. They don't have to put up with being bigger or smaller than classmates. I was always the smallest and you do feel left out sometimes, like they think you are a baby just for your size. Ity must be similar trying to fit in when you are taller or more developed than your friends.
One day most of the class will catch up, or else even if she towers above the rest, she will be good at basketball and netball!
I say we should celebrate diversity. If everyone were the same, then it would be very boring.

And yes, school 'homely' dinners = processed junk. NOT good for anyone, big or small.

shrooms, you are right - it is hard being 'different' whichever way that is. And, yes she is the netball A team goalkeeper! (As was I, I had reached my full adult height at 12-13)

I think it is fantastic that you are on top of this and not just letting it get worse or hoping that she will grow out of it. Being chubby at school opens the flood gates to teasing, bullying, and low self esteem and helping stop this is a huge responsibility of ours as parents. I have 2 daughters - opposites. One is tall, lean, and eats only when reminded. The other simply loves eating and could do it 24/7. As the younger, she was a huge surprise to me! I can see already that she will have tendencies to be overwieght and already I am aware and careful. The thing I noticed the most is that she eats even when full (other one does not ever) so eating for pleasure vs. hunger. If I know she has had enough, I do not give more even if she asks and she is normally she is fine with this. Equally, if she wants something heavy like bread, pasta - she'll instead get an apple. Regarding your daughter, it has to be about calories as our bodies follow basic maths: calories in must = calories out. I agree with the previous posting about journalling everything she eats for 2 weeks then doing an analysis. Your dd may need the same amount of food but different types of food. A dietician or even your GP will be able to help. All the best!

TBH I don't think her diet sounds like a problem as she is having 3 normal meals so unless they are huge her diet sounds fine, I would just concentrate on keeping them balenced.

Lots of kids go through tubby stages, nothing to do with over eating. As other said they don't always go out at the same rate as they go up.

Perhaps look at how much excercise she is getting, at 8 this doesn't have to be running for miles. Skating and swimming sound good, (mind you not if it is like my DS's sessions where he just hangs about at the edge watching everyone and gets most annoyed when I try to get him to do a length.) Does the childminder take her to the park or get her out in the garden even half an hour after school running about in the garden will ensure she grows out of this stage.

How much walking does she do, bluejelly?

My 10YO niece has been going through a similar process to your DD bluejelly, she all of sudden stacked loads of weight on, 6 months on, she's had a major growth spurt and has all but lost the extra puppy fat ,shes gone up 2 shoe sizes and gained about 2" in height -scary
Lisa x

bluejelly - i would stop her having salami. that's got loads of fat in it. bacons fine as long as the fats trimmed off it.

could she do activities at the weekend? dance, swimming, gymnastics, trampolining something like that?

The fat/calories in salami vary according to the type - I was quite shocked to see the difference - German salami has far less calories than Danish salami - I used to like Danish salami but have decided I like German salami just as well and it seems a more sensible option.

On the making interesting packed lunches/sandwiches, at 8 years old I would think she's old enough to be involved in making heer own, with help as appropriate.