overeating

I am inquiring as to the possibility of appetite supressants for my twelve year old daughter. She eats a great deal and while she was always a thin child, she is now overweight. she weights approximately 125 pounds, while the girls she is friendly with weight 100 pounds or under. i am especially worried because I became overweight at approximately the same age, and have been overweight all my life. there are meds for so many conditions, I am wondering if there is something for this. thanks

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Ms. Liss,

It would be wise, via your pediatrician, to consult with a nutritionist to develop a plan for healthy eating. I'm assuming you've already ruled out any metabolic, endocrine or other medical condition that might account for your daughter's weight problem.

Also, be careful about the types of foods you are making available in the house. We often unintentionally contribute to our children's weight problems by stocking our cupboards with sweets, soda and so-called junk foods that contribute nothing of nutritional value and engender bad eating habits.

It's probably not a good idea for a twelve-year-old to be turning to medication to solve the problem. The difficulty, and its remedy, is behavioral in nature and can be resolved via changes in behavior. Also consider any extent to which your daughter's emotional functioning might be contributing to her overeating. A consult with a child mental health professional might be useful.