overweight

My daughter will be ten in June and from the day she was born I have problems getting her to eat.  She refuses to try any thing new and eats only fat free hotdogs,pb. and j.  Milk, some juice and sweets-cakes, very little candy.   Even kid friendly foods she will not try.  A couple years ago she was diagnisosed with encopresis and so we have taking fiber and stool softeners daily.  The other day she told me that she cannot smell and I wonder if that has anyhting to with her lack of interest in food.  I just want her to try new things.  We have never forced her to eat something.  She is a great student and very helpful.

[Renee Radenberg]

Her weight is above the 95th percentile and her height is just under the 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. Limit high sugar drinks/snacks, and try replacing with milk/yogurt or fruit/popcorn/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 and vegetables. Eat daily high fiber breads and cereals (oatmeal) and limit ‘junk’ foods. If she cannot smell, it may be due to her poor eating habits, however, some children are just ‘picky’ eaters. Suggest having her tested and why she cannot smell. Hoped that helped you.