Child Weight Loss questions

My questions are about my 9yr old daughter.  She is 4'6" and weighs 106 lbs.  She is consistently gaining weight, despite my efforts to the contrary. What is the best, most effective way for a child to diet and lose weight? The exercise is a big part, I know...and this isn't a problem really. She loves being active and I'm working on getting her moving more on a consistent basis.  I mainly need help with nutrition for her...what to feed her? how many calories/day..? what about carbs and proteins?

I would encourage you to talk to your daughter's pediatrician about how to help your daughter.  Children's nutritional needs are different than adults, so you want to make sure to get appropriate guidance.  As someone *****members being a 9-year-old that was put on a diet, I can suggest that that's not the right approach!  But I suspect your pediatrician can offer some helpful suggestions and perhaps other resources, so you can help your daughter create a healthy relationship with food at a young age that will serve her well for many years to come -  Good luck and let us know how it goes -  Kellie

thanks kellie. I plan on doing just that. I made her a doctor appt for later on this month. I was just hoping i could get some advice here too. Ive been obese all my life and I dont want this for her, so i want to do whatever I can for her now, while she is still young.

We don't put children on diets. We don't count their calories and we don't count their carbs. However, you need to take a look at what kind of foods you are offering her. What is she eating for snacks? Are you giving her fruit and vegetables for snacks? Are you allowing her to have soda or high sugar beverages like gatorade, juice & kool aid? Does she eat fast food more than one time per month? What do her meals look like? These are all things you need to look at. As a pediatric dietitian, usually we have to correct the foods parents are giving their children - it is VERY VERY rare that we put children on diets. Typically we have to change the parent's habits & the child will eventually grow into their weight or lose weight. I strongly urge you to seek the advice of a pediatrician and/or a pediatric dietitian.

thank you. i will do that.