Update on son and weight study

Our son was inducted into a weight study a month or so ago. He is 10 yrs old. He is 5ft 2 141lbs. His blood pressure is a little elevated. His waist circumference is in the danger zone. Any way the doctor is doing this study to try to help educate children and their families about proper eating habits, risks, etc. I agreed for him to be in the study because I don't want him to follow in my footsteps. A lot of my issues were hereditary. That is scary to me. Since he has started the study he is making wiser choices. When we talk about healthier choices it's not just something Mommy does it is something we all need to do. It helps to have a doctor tell them too.

Today at the doctor my heart broke. She was going through the things she never cared if he ever ate again. My son started crying. It was overwhelming to him. When he started crying I started crying. I told him I wish I could have given him anything else in my gene pool other than my height and slow metabolizm. I said it isn't going to be easy but we will all do it together. We have a strong history of heart disease on both sides of our family. My side is at a very young age. Which is also terrifying. Long story short. My son goes back to the doctor on Feb. 11. Please swing some lizards that he will lose a little or grow alot. The doctors goal for long term is to get his BMI into a healthier level. His BMI is currently at 25.6 she wants him at 21 or 22. We did get some good news. He has grown an inch since last time! Maybe he will get his Daddy's height after all. I will keep yall up to date. 
Thanks for letting me vent!  

Oh, my heart goes out to you and to your son.  As I read your post, I remembered my first "tough talk" from a doctor when I was 9 years old.  It was awful.  Thinking back to what would have helped me, I believe your most important job is to help your son to feel good about himself and his body now, not only when he loses weight.  I know that the last you want to do is make him feel anxious. Also, it is really important for your son not to feel deprived or restricted.  Rather, he needs to find ways to satisfy his hunger and tastebuds with good food in reasonable portions.  Also, any way you can find him find physical activities that he enjoys will go a long, long way toward better health.   He can turn this around.  He is overweight, not obese. 

I had a strong reaction to the doctor's comments.  This kind of restrictive - bad versus good food - was not very helpful to me when I was a kid.  I remember my weight loss happened when I could have one hot dog or enjoy a popsicle 

Okay, I feel like I'm rambling.  I just wanted to share my memories as that kid at 9, 

I also want to urge you not blame yourself for your genes - you had no choice in your genes.  You have provided your son with everything he needs to have a good and happy life.  Focus on the positive.  All you need to do is be there, and it is clear that you are there for your son.  Love, encourage, support, structure - you can do all of these things.

I am rooting for you both.
Amy

Thanks Amy! Your response really helped me to get refocused on what is important. He is the most important little fella in my life. I want him to feel great about himself. He is a very great kid inside and out. I pray he can look at this positively and realize that it is babysteps that are going to get him through life. Thanks again for all your encouragement. I truly needed it tonight. Danielle

awww my heart goes out to your son as well as every overweight child out there . we all know too well how we felt etc Brava to you for doing this for him and keeping a watchful eye my son soon to be 32 is 5"8 at about 160 hes thin and has a athletic body as he goes to the gym but when he was that age he was husky by no means fat. and i rem getting called in at school by the nurse saying that my son was obese honestly , i freaked out she didnt even know what my son looked like but according to the charts. needless to say , she apologized but having said that he started to thin out when he got into jr high school
good luck to u and ur son

Thanks for your insight. My little guy isn't fat but really husky. He has always been very solid. Between 2nd and 3rd grade he had to have husky pants. They fit him in the waist but are too huge in the legs.   I know he is growing. I pray his legs sprout soon and we have nothing to worry about. My husband is 6ft 5 so there is hope. Our little guy is very athletic. He plays every sport. He would rather be outside than anywhere. I pray it will all work out.
Danielle

Wow, Toni, I could NEVER imagine your son being called overweight!  

It sounds to me like your son is tall for his age now!  My oldest daughter was 5'2 in the 6th grade and MOST of the boys were shorter than her!  They are starting to catch up to her 5'4 frame now in the 8th grade.......I bet he's gonna sprout at about 14 or 15 and surprise the heck out of you!  DD's best friend was a "stocky/husky" build at that age......in fact sound like a very similar story all around......very tall dad, husky adolecence.......in the first semester of the 8th grade this kid has grown 7 inches, and is thin and athletic looking!.........You are doing right by your baby boy!  I hope your whole family can take away a great amount of knowlege from him being in this study!

I know how you feel.  My daughter is also 10 and only 4 ft tall and she is 96 lbs.  She gets upset when the cute clothes don't fit her but then wants to eat some cookies.  She is adopted so I was hoping she had a skinny gene pool but I guess not.

Danielle - I think its great that you are proactive about your sons weight.  Hopefully he'll outgrow it, but its never too early to teach them good eating habits. 

He's so young and doesn't understand all this.  I can see how it is so overwhelming for him.  Luckily he's got you to help him through this.  He WILL be successful because of it!

I know as a mom we would do anything to not see our children experience pain, especially when it is so hurtful.  You are going to be a wonderful support to your son and hopefully combined with wise choices and mother nature he will outgrown this.  Our society today is so faced paced even school lunches are not healthy.  It is sad for him to realize this at such a young age, but by making these changes now he made avoid a lot of the mistakes many of us have made.  I know you will get through this!
Sandi