~.~ QOTW ~.~

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2004
~.~ QOTW ~.~
4
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 10:06am

What would you do if your child started becoming overweight, or if you suddenly realised s/he already was?


Alternatively, if you are not a parent and/or never plan to be, and do not feel comfortable answering as if you were a parent... what would you do if you noticed a friends or family members child becoming overweight?


I ask this question because while I was at a mall food court the other day, I saw an overweight woman eating McDonald's with her overweight son. They were having a blast and both seemed very happy. But it hurt me to see it - which means I judged them both, but I'm human and that happens.


- cl-Yavie, sig in  still in progress :D

I am just a young girl in need of some

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2003
In reply to: cl_yavie
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 10:16am

Great question.

I worry about my kids all the time gaining weight. I think I would clear the house of all bad food and start the entire family on a healthy eating plan. I hated it as a child when I had to diet and my mom and brother had ice cream and chips. I think that is why the diets failed. I would also start doing exercise together as a family like riding bikes and hiking. Anything to get them moving. The other thing I do(would do) is limit tv/computer time so they are more likely to go outside and do things. I wouldn't make a big deal about their weight. Instead I would reevaluate what they eat.

Older children would be different. For a teen I think I would sit down and have a heart to heart talk with her and tell her I am concerned about her. I would also say from now on we are going to eat healthy foods at home and not bring junk food into the house. Again I would encourage exercise as a family. I think it is too much for a child to do it alone.

Finally, I think I would do one day a week or maybe a month as a cheat day. I don't want them to feel like they are missing out on all the good food and turn to sneaking food.

sharla

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
In reply to: cl_yavie
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 10:40am

Since I was with Tina when we saw this, I would just like to say that I thought that little boy was so cute!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
In reply to: cl_yavie
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 11:55am

Since having children, I have made it a priority that they not have junk food all the time and that they are active. We have three sons (7, 3, 5months) and the older two are in all sorts of sports. Eventhough I was not overweight as a child and gained all the weight in my adults years, one of my biggest fear is that they will become overweight. Its sad to see an overweight child. Its soo hard being overweight in your adult years. I can't even imagine how it is in childhood. Children are sooo mean to each these days.

Machelle'

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2004
In reply to: cl_yavie
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 11:55pm

Well my DD is very thin and cute as a bug...the stinker can get in size 9!

In any case my DS is overweight and I have been talking to him...constantly...but he really isn't ready to lose weight.

I am trying to get the DH to cook for a healther life... the few times I cook I do cook that way.

Sussie_Q