My 9-year old son

It's hard to watch the decline of a healthy weight for my 9-year old son.  However, I'm finding myself in this predicament. Both dad and I are obese...dad was okay until recently when he started taking anti-depressants.  This caused him to gain at least 100 pounds within about 2 years.  He was medically discharged from the military because of his health (I don't know a lot of specifics, as we're divorced). I've struggled with obesity my entire life.  I had VBG back in 1998, and just recently revised to lap-band, as the VBG failed. I really want my son to avoid this battle...and I talk to him openly about it, but given his age, he's not able to go to the gym with me and he's never been interested in sports (he's my artist/cook) Are there programs for a child as young as my son?  Does BMI apply to children as well?  I would be open to any suggestions, as I really want to help guide him before things get out of control. Thank you, Cathy

Hi Cathy,
There certainly are good multidisciplinary weight managment programs out there for kids, but they can be hard to find!

Depending on the part of the country you live in, I can make suggestions.

Most programs will not likely consider surgical options for a child as young as 9 but there are very real issues at this stage that need to be considered. A 9 yo for instance needs to take advantage of the best non-surgical interventions available, and have results documented accurately. Often at age 9 we see success without surgery. But if down the road he is still extremely overweight, payors will look for documentation of prior attempts and their succcess or failure before escalating treatment to the next level.

We are in the process of updating surgical guidelines for adolescents now, but some very good recommendations can be found on our website (www.cchmc.org/weight) or at www.guidelines.gov.

Many thanks for your query.

Tom Inge, MD
Surgical Weight Loss Program for Teens
Cincinnati Children's Hospital

Hey, i just got GBS but when i was a kid i went to camp shane which is a weight loss camp which takes kids as young as 8 i think. it is a little pricy but you can get a "scholarship" from a doctor or u can contact the camp and ask them about discounted rates http://www.campshane.com/ i loved it there and lost about 30lbs each summer i went. also if your looking for something year round, i also was involved in Shapedown. this uses weight loss and the rewards system...like if ur son looses even a pound, his reward would be something u 2 agree on, like a new movie, or new art supplys. here is their site http://www.shapedown.com/. i hope this is helpful good luck!

Pricey is right. Three weeks for $3200. To lose 30 pounds. To end up having wls as an adult. Sorry. That makes me angry.  After all, you suggested something that didn't work for you.

Dear Cathy,

Asw Dr. Inge mentioned, there are several multidisciplinary programs around the country.  we can certainly suggest things to look for.

Christopher Bolling, MD

Cathy, Just like your son can't go to the gym. He probably doesn't go to the grocery store either.  You need to take control for your sons sake and make healthy choices for the food you bring in your home.  I know it is not easy, actually it will probably be awful. But you just have to do it. It is so hard to be an overweight child. It also sets you up for a lifetime of obesity related issues.

Hi - you said that your son was your cook - artist..  I have a plan for you!!! Every Wednesday evening go to the grocery store produce section and let your son pick one NEW item of fruit or veg.   Then - Let him spend Thursday and Friday evening researching the item.  What great nutrients does it provide?  Where does it grow naturally?  What cultures eat it?  What recipies are made with it?  Does it taste good raw?  Cooked? He can then choose a recipie that meets pre-set guidelines for maximum calories, fat etc. He should make a picture with information about the new food to share his research with the entire family on Saturday evening at dinner when he serves his recipie and shares the dish with the family. At 9 there is plenty of opportunity to outgrow being overweight.  My son was quite overweight at that age and is now an almost normal weight 13 year old. My son has learned to be a label reader and while he does not always make healthy choices he makes the less evil choices very often... for instance the other day he wanted a can of chef boyardee something.  He stood in the isle and read labels and chose the item with the lowest calories and fat per can instead of just grabbing the raviolies...  he got what he wanted at half the caloric price. If your son really loves art and cooking foster that and help him learn about wonderful healthy foods and get him to teach the family about them as the resident expert chef! Good Luck!