I am so thankful for all of you who have given your advice. I think I will REALLY monitor what he's eating at home/school and maybe journal it on my own. I really don't know what a serving size is for kids compared to what an adult should have tho. I will make sure he has an extra veggie each day...I am sure the whatever veggie the school had is NOT that healthy. Everyone gave good advice! Thank you!
just one more thought--
When I feed my kids dinner they cannot have more of whatever they want seconds of until their first portion of veggie is eaten. I do this to ensure the veg goes down but also to fill them up a bit before they wolf down more chicken nug (if that's what it is) or the white rice that my sitter makes.
Last edited by kittycat40; 02-23-2009 at 03:56 PM.
I would just like to suggest that it might be better to teach kids about better food choices, rather than start them on counting calories. I can't believe that some posters actually have their kids counting calories at such an early age. Kids already have to meet some kind of numerical grade or score all the time, for everything they do--it just makes me sad to think of a 9-year-old having to count calories for their lunch, etc.
You have received some good advice here! I would add that your child's doctor can be your best friend or your worst enemy. It sounded like yours was not very supportive and was being judgmental. You might consider sitting down with her one on one without your son present to voice your concerns. She may recommend some testing (thyroid, etc.) to rule out problems. If she continues to be non-supportive, I would be shopping for a new doc.
What does your son's growth chart look like? As a kid, I was stick thin until I hit about 7, then became "the fat kid" until the summer before 7th grade. My mom was naturally very concerned, but the doc told her to ride it out. I was only eating healthy foods and was very active (soccer, swimming, etc.). She told my mom I would need the weight, and boy did I. I gre 6 inches in one summer and went from being the fat kid to the tall, awkward, gangly kid with boobs. So, I would say that if you're feeding him the right foods, and keeping him active, don't sweat it too much- he may just grow into it!
Hi, I have heard that with children you should not try to get them to lose weight but to eat healthy and be active (which he does) and the child will grow and the weight issue will go away. Also boys really slender up when they get older. Girls who do not eat healthy are not as lucky.
I saw a programme on obesity on children and for many of the kids on there, the problem was not what they ate but the amount. Many parents were serving up healthy meals but in quantities that were way too much. On the programme they gave the advice about the protein and carbs should only be about the size of the palm of your hand - whether adult or child. Look at your 7 year olds palm, it will be quite small compared to your own.
I saw a programme on obesity on children and for many of the kids on there, the problem was not what they ate but the amount. Many parents were serving up healthy meals but in quantities that were way too much. On the programme they gave the advice about the protein and carbs should only be about the size of the palm of your hand - whether adult or child. Look at your 7 year olds palm, it will be quite small compared to your own.
A big help in making serving portions more controllable would be to give everyone a plate, already loaded with a pre-determined amount of food. Not leave serving platters in the middle of the table. It might take some getting used to, but it's a great strategy. It saves me from overeating all the time.
