Question:
Helping your children avoid becoming obese.

Back in October, my husband and I decided to take our 9 year old son to a pediatric nutritionist since he was really starting to gain weight much faster than he was growing in height. (Our 12 year old son is skinny.) We are so happy we did. Since then, he has grown 1/2 inch, but lost 1/4 pound. The doctor is advising that she doesn't want him to lose weight but to grow into his current weight. We've made huge changes in our family life: we sit down as a family at dinner (we all used to sit in front of the TV), we all plan and eat the same foods (we all used to make whatever we wanted), we reduced the amount of time in front of the TV, and we all participate in more physical activities. He is really working hard to cut back on his snacking and listen to the doctor, who was very kind to all of us. His cholesterol has dropped. I know these pieces of advice seem like common sense, and I tried for years to institute these changes. But since its advice coming from a doctor, my sons and husband have really listened and embraced our new lifestyle and I'm really proud of them. So for those of you who have children who are gaining weight too fast, there is hope for avoiding the overweight life that is so difficult and unhealthy. Have a great day!    — Yolanda J. (posted on February 27, 2004)

February 27, 2004
Yolanda, congratulations to you.........from what I've read on this subject, you are doing exactly the right thing. You're making it a family goal rather than focusing solely on your son and making it appear it is his problem. Again, I congratulate you and wish you the absolute best in helping your son avoid all the pains of obesity.
   —  SCbabe B.

February 27, 2004
Hi Yolanda, thank you so much for posting this. I am currently pregnant with our first child and passing on my obesity gene to her is one of my biggest fears. My husband tries to reassure me, but you know how it is when your pregnant!
   — Ali M

February 27, 2004
My excess weight was largely due to the fact that I was and still am a Binge Eater. As an eating disordered person, I came to know that this is a genetic disease (like alcoholism) and not a matter of choice. The only way for me to not pass this on to my children was to not have children. My only regret is that my husband and I would have made VERY pretty babies.
   — MaryM.

February 27, 2004
I have 3 children 4,5 and 6 and 1 is very thin(twiggy), 1-is muscular with no fat and my baby girl is very chubby. I have noticed that she just takes after me with looks and body structure, not to mention she has my bad snacking habbits, where as my boys you have to begg them to eat and they look and have body structures like there dad, who is normal in weight. I have also done as you have done with the meals and keep very little snack foods in the house (mostly crackers & popcorn) and lots more fruits. My daughter now has lost a few pounds and grew a little, so I think she is going to be ok and just will have to watch her food intake for the rest of her life. I feel bad seeing how out of both my parents sides, my grandma and myself are the only 2 who have had a weight problem. Good luck to you and your family!
   — Sandy M.

February 27, 2004
Yolanda - thanks for posting about this. I have two children. One is almost 18 and has his father's metabolism - he is sporting a 12 pack and can eat 6 full meals a day. The other is 12 and pretty chubby, obviously has my metabolism. I didn't worry about his weight until he started getting older, with the hope that he would grow into it. Our current lifestyle is like yours was: dinner in front of the TV, not enough physical activity. I plan on making similar changes but want to wait until I am post-op and we can all begin to eat healthier together. I'm also looking forward to being more active with him and doing things that will get us up and out. I don't want him to grow up to be an obese adult. We all know how much that limits us.
   — antiques55

February 28, 2004
Yolanda, you one smart cookie (sugerfree LOL). My kids have good nutritional values and know the consequences of over indulging in food that does not serve the body. I also remember not to hound them too much because - being underweight is just as bad as being overweight. As good parents we love our kids and should not want them to repeat our "bad" behaviors. My kids won't drink sodas, love splenda as a sweetners, and exercise 3-5 times a week. Ranging in age 8-20.
   — Anna M.

February 29, 2004
Dear Yolanda, I would like to share with you my experience. Take it for what its worth. My son became obese at a very young age-yes, he had medical problems and couldn't exercise like other kids, but no matter what I tried to do to help his eating habits, he resisted. He'd eat anything. I'd find plastic wraps behind his bed. I even bought a lock for the refrigerator. Nothing seemed to work. I felt desperate. Here was a child that had health problems, and I gave him my obesity problem. My other son was a stellar athlete. Lean and mean. There is a happy ending though. Around 2-3 years ago at the age of 13-14yrs., My son became interested in the opposite sex. He took all the weight watcher meetings and all of the other classes I had taken him to and began to integrate them 100%. He became lean and mean also. He is the Prince of the Ball. The women are after him. He is so happy and he counts his weight watcher points every day. What a burden lifted from me. The worst part of obesity is knowing you passed this gene on to your children. I only hope that this is the end of the storyl. God Bless and good luck. Love, Carla
   — [Deactivated Member]