Keeping child from being overweight??

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2003
Keeping child from being overweight??
3
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 9:24am
How (or are you) raising your children so they do not grow up to have the same weight problems that you have? Do you allow sweets and junk food? I have heard some say the reason they are overweight is becasuse they were denied sweets as a child. What about exercise? Do you bring your kids with you when you exercise or just let them get it through play? Do you talk to them about your weight or let them see you weigh yourself?

How do you get them to eat well without them either rebelling as teens or becoming obsessed?

I have 3 children. My first takes after her dad and is as thin as a rail. At 5(almost 6) she has yet to reach 40 pounds and most of her pants fall off of her. She understands that too much sugar isn't healthy and will only eat one cookie etc.

My second is more average. She is the one I worry about. I don't keep cookies or junk food in the house most of the time. The few special times I have them she will sneak into the kitchen to eat an entire package. I had to stop buying soft drinks(diet included) because she was always begging me for one. It is just easier not to have them. We don't allow our children to drink coke. I have to ration TV because all she wants to do is watch TV all day and complains if she has to walk anywhere. Given her perfect day she wouldn't eat anything but gold fish and pudding. ( On the other hand she loves carrots and salad. go figure) To me this is a weight problem waiting to happen. The first thing I did was put her on an eating schedule so she wasn't snacking all day long. we do let them have sweets and ice cream when we go out I just don't want it in the house. Exercise is another story. For the most part I just take her outside to play, but she doesn't want to ride a bike etc. We do take them on short walks etc, but she complains the entire time.

What is your opinion on this. How do you prevent the problem before it happens and teach your child to eat healthy and exercise?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2004
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 9:34am
I don't have kids, but I would totally worry about the same things if I did. I've read the KidShape board under iV Health and there are lots of tips there. The most commonly echoed tip seems to be:

1. model the good eating/exercise habits in yourself





Lilypie First Birthday tickers
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2004
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 9:53am

Well, I have a bit of the same problem.

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Fear

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Mon, 11-15-2004 - 1:01pm
Im afraid I wont be of much help Sharla.