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Avatar universal

My son is really overweight!!! It is bad

My son is severely over weight.  I have posted elsewhere on here about behavioural issues...but he also has weight issues too (I won't go into the behavior thing it is really long).  Anyway he is always hungry from the point he gets home from school - he is hungry every half hour! I am not kidding.  We have a good dinner or something and he still is hungry a half hour later.  He is hungry up until 10 at night. He will get up if he has been asleep sometimes and say he is hungry. I have done the no eating after 8 p.m. rule - well attempted.  I know his weight problem is MY FAULT! I do know this. I try to get him to excercise or go outside and play and walk with us (I have to walk but I have some health issues myself).  Anyway he is a really picky eater.  I give in on a lot of stuff (he is pickier than me and I am picky too). I try to get him to eat grapes instead when he feels the need for another meal several times or other fruit and half the time he does not want it or if he does he wants something bigger afterward! I don't know what to do.  

One doctor told me that he would outgrow it when he hits puberty but I don't see that happening - he gets larger by the day! He now has man boobs! His face is very very pudgy! I don't put him down to him - meaning I don't tell him he is fat...although my husband has been caught telling him that! And believe me I let him have it!!!! He thinks telling him he is getting fat will get him to lose weight and that is not true and it is horrible thing to say to him. I guess I feel guitly about not feeding him food when he is hungry so I give in.  What can I do without feeling guilt??? I am scared of him getting diabetes or heart issues.
5 Responses
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757137 tn?1347196453
You can help him by eliminating sodas, sugary snacks and junk food from your home (and not allowing him to buy any). If all there is to eat is wholesome, healthy food, then that is what he will eat, because there is nothing else.
Helpful - 0
267079 tn?1195142970
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Now his weight is above the 95th percentile and above the Growth chart which indicates he is overweight. Recommend following the above suggestions to help him maintain his weight as his body catches up. Make exercises fun for him and do not punish so he stays with it. Have him help you cook healthy foods so he learns how to eat right.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
actually I just weighed him (it has been 3 weeks since I took the above weight of 103) and he has gained 7 pounds, he weighs 110 lbs. So I hope that is still okay.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you! I will save this and refer to it often.  I was thinking about taking away his video games here and there to get him some more activity. We took a long walk this evening and although because of my condition - I had to sit down or stop a lot, I know it still helped him some.  Thanks for the food information too.  I really appreciate everything including the information about his height and weight and stuff. :)
Helpful - 0
267079 tn?1195142970
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
His weight is on the 95th percentile and his height is between the 5-10th percentile which indicates he is within the Growth Chart and he is not overweight yet for his age. He may appear overweight due to his lower stature in relation his weight. He needs approximately 2000 calories a day to grow because he is still a child. He will be entering puberty and will be physically changing. As he gets older he may lose weight. You seem to know that 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. Suggest dancing which is fun and will help to maintain/lose weight. 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 limiting high sugar drinks/snacks and try replacing with low fat milk/yogurt or fruit/popcorn/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. Thank you for your question.
Helpful - 0

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