Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

9yr old gained 16lbs in 3 weeks on vacation!!!

My 9 yr old daughter recently returned from vacation with her dad and grandparents in Florida. When she left she maintained at 85lbs which her doctor said is alright due to her being tall for her age. She suggested we just watch what she eats and ensure my daughter gets enough nutritious food. My daughter came home, double chin and extra wide in her midsection and 16lbs heavier after 3 weeks! Her dad gained 20lbs and says he didnt allow her to have bad food and she mostly ate caesar salads. Her grandparents are rather large and hadn't seen her for about 3 yrs and according to my daughter they went out to eat about 90% of the time!! I dont understand how these people could have allowed and encouraged this happen to her but she is mortified about her weight now!! How can I help her lose the weight in a healthy way without traumatizing her or letting her starve?? School is about to start and I've talked to her about making healthy choices during lunch time and even packing her lunch with healthy food. At home we keep mostly healthy food and offer healthy snacks to our children. She's been so used to engorging on terrible food that its been so difficult to revert her back to her health conscious ways.
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
13167 tn?1327194124
I didn't know you could gain that much weight/percentage wise even if you tried in that short period of time.

She did not eat caesar salads.  

I don't know what she ate,  but I don't think if she were trying to bulk up with extreme high calorie foods she'd have an easy time of packing on nearly a 20% increase in total body weight in 3 weeks.  

If you google "gain 15 pounds in 3 weeks",  you'll find that people say it can't be done.  

I'm really MORE stunned that your husband put on 20 pounds in that 3 weeks.  

I wouldn't let her go with them for an extended period of time again.  

Best wishes getting that extra weight off her and retraining her body.



Helpful - 0
134578 tn?1693250592
It sounds like she didn't get any exercise.  Sometimes when kids are with adults who don't have children, all the adults can think of to do with the kids is let them watch TV or do things on their computer, and if a kid sits around all day and eats restaurant-sized servings of food, she is going to gain weight.

Can you and she join a parent-child gym or swim class and get moving?  This is not something she can solve by herself, and she would certainly appreciate your support.  It will feel much less like judgement if you do it with her.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Parenting Community

Top Parenting Answerers
13167 tn?1327194124
Austin, TX
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Fearing autism, many parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Can doctors reverse this dangerous trend?
Learn which over-the-counter medicines are safe for you and your baby
Yummy eats that will keep your child healthy and happy
6 essential foods for new moms (and their newborns!)
What to expect in your growing baby
Learn which foods aren't safe to eat when you're eating for two.