Is she overweight

[shellc46]

My 6 1/2 yr old is 4ft 3 1/2 inches tall and 73lbs weight. Is she overweight? She eats 3 meals a day and has 1 treat. Eats lots of fruit and veg as well.

[Renee Radenberg]

Both her weight and height are above the 95th percentile for her age. Her height is in proportion to her weight so she is not ‘overweight’. She is above normal; however, genetics may play a part. Are there tall females in the family?

[shellc46]

I myself am 5ft 11 but am also seriously overweight. Dont want the same thing for her. Make sure not to overfeed her or give to many juice drinks.

[Renee Radenberg]

It is recommend increasing children's physical activities (play, dance, sports) to lose weight, and not lower calorie intake due to the need of calories for growth. Limit time in front of the TV or non-active-video games. There have been studies showing the longer the length of time a child sit in front of the TV, the greater the weight gain. Limit high sugar drinks/snacks, and try replacing with low fat milk/yogurt, fruit, air popped popcorn, or low-fat cheese. Additional suggestions: cook only low fat meats (chicken, fish, loin of pork) or non-meat sources (soy products, nuts), low fat vegetarian combinations (rice & beans, pasta & beans, low fat cheese & pasta), fat free or low fat dairy products (skim milk, 1% milk, low fat cheese, low fat yogurts, low fat soy milk/yogurt), use plant oils, non trans-fat margarines, and eat a lot of fruits, salads, and vegetables. Eat daily high fiber breads and cereals (oatmeal) and limit ‘junk’ foods. Hoped that helped you.