Ds2 is overweight

[sphil]

Ds2 is 9 and has ASD. His diet isn't too bad but very carb-heavy. He eats 6 small slices of g/f bread per day( breakfast, lunch and snacks) and usually two types of carb at dinner ( because he wont eat most meats, fish or veg unless they're mixed with rice, quinoa or potato.)

He has been the same height for what seems like ages but his weight has been gradually increasing. I realise now that he looks quite fat - his belly sticks out over his waistband and his face is very round. He is between the 25th and 50th centile for height and the 75th for weight.

I am really hoping that he is due a growth spurt and will thin out when this happens. His exercise has increased recently but it doesnt seem to make any difference - if anything he looks fatter!

Any similar experience/ ideas? His diet is so restricted that its hard to take anything out. I have tried reducing portion size but am concerned about keeping his protein/ veg intake up and this has to be embedded in carbs!

Sorry Lougle - have just read your thread. Hope you don't think this is insensitive.

Sphil, put his details into this BMI calculator as it takes into account a child's age, height and weight. Acceptable BMI varies by age for DC, they should be very lean at 5 yo but can have more body fat as they get older. My DSs range from 12th centile, (DS2 with ASD) to 80th centile (quirky DS3) but both are within acceptable, healthy limits.

I did that a few weeks ago and he came out on the 91st centile, which is overweight . I know he is, anyway, by just looking at him. Ds1 also came out as 'as risk of being overweight' but has cut back his snacking and increased his exercise voluntarily - as a result he has maintained his weight while growing taller. Ds2 just doesnt seem to get taller and also cannot take control of his diet because of his limited understanding. Meals and snacks are a huge part of his routine and it's very very hard to change them.

That's only just overweight. The 90th centile is the cut off. I'd say try to increase activity if possible. I know easier said than done. My DS3 eats slightly less than his brothers but is very lazy, very hard to get him moving, but it's the exercise that makes the difference. Very hard to alter the diet when it's already restrictive, I guess. Just slightly smaller portion sizes, smaller plates and bowls, maybe? Do you have a trampoline?

Seriously don't worry about it. That is not over weight, ds3 is over weight to a worrying degree and I have no way of controlling it. He is off the scale, he weighs 6.10 and is 5. He only eats carbs, in fact he only eats about 5 foods, it is world war 3 if we give him anything else. We have tried everything, dietitian doesn't seem interested and paed thinks it is my fault Worst thing is he used to eat anything you gave him.