Overweight kids

[Becca]

When should it become a big deal??

This morning on The Early Show, they had their doctor lady on, and she was talking about an increase in the number of overweight BABIES (under 6 months). When do you think we should start worrying about 'fixing' our overweight kids?


Personally, I think the next f'n generation is going to have a HUGE weight complex if we keep this up. I think that good parenting is about teaching our children proper nutrition in the first place, and keeping them out from in front of the boob tube 12 hours a day. I guess I'm just irritated that the big bad doctors with their perfect bodies and their scientific theories are trying to dictate to me as a MOTHER that I should be concerned about my child being "at risk for overweight" when she's SIX FRIGGIN MONTHS OLD. I don't believe our children would have an issue with obesity if we got them out of the house and taught them that nectarines and frozen grapes really DO taste better than chocolate at LEAST 75% of the time

Maybe this should have gone in vent...but I really want to know if I'm just 'out there' with this, or if there are people that agree with me - I say let a baby eat and grow - teach them proper nutrition - play outdoors with them - let them learn to love exersize, be it soccer, tball, skateboarding, whatEVER...but damn - leave the babies alone. Pick on somebody your own size...

[Kaymara]

Most eating habits are learned. For example: Ethan isn't allowed Juice. So...since he has never had it he doesn't want it....He prefers water....Ethan is given fruit and or a veggie at each meal. Alot of times he will eat only that.

The problem with saying you need to start at 6 months is a little dumb. Mainly because yesm you start solid foods then but they are foods good for you. And most PEDS will tell you to feed your baby til they are full. Then you have toddlers. Who are learning to feed themselves independantly. Who are very picky eaters. Who only eat a little of this and a little of that. The TV is on for him. He usually watches half an episode of Sesame street and 1 episode of blue clues. But I use the TV for background noise. The rest of the time he is playing. We play, we do art, we go for walks, gymboree, out etc. He LOVES the outdoors.

Now..I think where it can become a problem is say around kindergarten or first grade. Alot of parents are allowing their kids to play a ton of video games, watch a ton of tv and the kids do not ever have to go outside to play like we did when kids. This is where the parent needs to step in and make SURE the meals or nutritional, make SURE their child is outside playing when able, getting exercise and the like. Now YES there are kids who do have problems with their metabolisms etc. and that makes them overweight. But....Alot do not have that problem.

Ethan is tall and thin. He is very active and he eats decent for a toddler. As long as I stay on that path then I think all is well. I think it is my job to do this. I am there to teach, love, nurture etc him. The Dr's are there to guide me if I have questions. 6 months is a little young to worry about any of this. Heck I think 3 is too young. I think as long as we make sure our children are eating as well as they can and are active then there are no problems

[Potatocup]

What do they define as overweight at 6 months? My baby was in the 15th percentile weight when she was born and now at 4 months is in the 90th. Does that mean she's overweight because of rapid weight gain? how could anyone determine that? i don't force feed her. she is just starting to eat solid food and she isn't walking yet.

it's true. teach your kids when it's applicable about correct eating habits and activities that involve movement. how am i supposed to do that to a 4 month old? should i just let her cry when she's hungry because i think she's eaten too much today? ugh. i hear ya.

[Becca]

They were saying that kids in the 85-95th percentile are "at risk for being overweight" and anything above that is "overweight".

[Victoria]

So what's overweight in babies? 75th percentile and higher, or what?
ETA: nm....I see the above post.

[Becca]

Originally Posted by Lighthouse Girl They were saying that kids in the 85-95th percentile are "at risk for being overweight" and anything above that is "overweight".

that's what the doctor was saying about babies. Sorry...kids, babies, they all run together for me

[Kaymara]

Well..I'd like to see them tell a 6 month old to go outside and play to work off some of that food Most babies have baby fat. They grow into it. I have pics (as I know most of you do too) where my guy had baby pudge and looked like a baby. Now the pudge is gone and he looks like a big boy...its called baby fat for a reason....People crack me up. Lets start riding our kids about their weight at 6 months old.

[sgmwife1]

When my dd was born, she was 2 1/2 months premature weighing a mere 2.5 pounds. Everyday was such a positive event if she had gained even a half an ounce. Problem is once she started to grow she never really stopped. Dd has struggled all her life with a weight issue. She is medically sound and her habits are in tact. I sometimes think that there are some people who are just large. Simply that.
God bless everyone. The key is to teach self confidence as well as good habits. My daughter is a beautiful girl and she KNOWS it. She deals with her issues better than most and she has a very positive attitude. She is a healthy teenager and that matters the most.

[Potatocup]

Shoot, I better go start the training drills with Rhianen. Hmm.. guess I'll have to look for a miniature elliptical machine. Ridiculous.

[Cat]

well most babies will lose their baby fat as they start getting more active. so i wouldnt worry about it Becca. we have the opposite problem with Robbie. he does eat but he doesnt eat a whole lot sometimes either. they feed him nutritious food at daycare and we feed him good things at home too but he does get some not so great stuff either for treats. but he doesnt have a weight problem yet and he is almost 4 years old. he is very active and when he does watch TV its hard for him to sit there at times and just watch, he sometimes will play with his toys while watching TV so i dont think he has a problem yet, he may down the road if we dont keep on top of it. i think some of those drs need to lay off.