She's 8 and keeps on gaining weight

[babs3548]

I need to know what kind of a nutrition diet I could put her on to assist her in weight loss. Portion size and how much per meal, how often is the key. Please assist me to help her.

[Renee Radenberg]

Her weight is above the 95th percentile and her height is between the 75th - 50th  percentile for her age. 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. Suggest you do limit high sugar drinks/snacks and replace with milk/yogurt or fruit/popcorn/cheese. High sugar drink and snacks do not give the child nutrients they need. The calorie intake for a growing 8 year old is approximately 2000 calories a day that are eaten three meals and snacks between meals. Suggest cooking 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 and vegetables. Eat daily high fiber breads and cereals (oatmeal) and limit ‘junk’ foods. Portion control is important and here some general tips = ½ cup for all starches and vegetables; one piece of fruit or ½ cup of small fruits; 1 cup for low fat dairy products, and only 3oz of low fat meat or protein substitution a meal (only 6ozs total a day). Hoped this helped you.

[babs3548]

We noticed she started gaining when we put her in a different school. The lunch sounds great but the children have to many options so they don't always choose the best for them. I've started to send her with a lunch.
She is very active we have the wii fit and a trampoline that she does daily. Doesn't watch more them 2 hrs of tv a night.
I need more direct idea of what a portion is for a child. So when she is at home and for her lunch I'm sending with her so I can do the correct thing. I have a four year old also that I'm trying to help before he goes the same way. Thank you for your advise.