My 11 year old is over weight

[bluevan 10]

All my family are fat, Have been since they were little, I have a sister who had to have a gastric bypass because she was that fat, I on the other hand have always been naturally thin, So although i have never had to diet i have seen everyone i love have to do it, Its not easy or nice especially with children so good luck

[sparky2 10]

Hi. My grandson has a similar problem and he attends the Shine Acadamy (web page attached) there they work really hard with them and make it a pleasant experience. He really enjoys it and can't wait to go each week. Good luck. http://www.nya.org.uk/dynamic_files/yw4h/yw4hcasestudies/SHINE%20Health%20Academy%20-%20Sheffield.pdf

[TerryRGirl 10]

I would recommend slimming world, hear me out here! lol

 

It's not a diet, it's a way of showing you healthy eating and is recommended for anyone of any age, it's definately worth looking into and the new extra easy plan is so easy to follow and she'll not have to cut out much at all, I'm pretty sure kids can join free if with a parent and as I said before it's just healthy eating but it makes you so much more aware of how to eat and how not to, it's so similar to the govenment recommendations to how to eat healthy but I find it so much more easier to stick to because its all there in a book for me to look at!

 

Even if you didn't want to go to a class you can buy the books of of ebay and do it from home or sign up online, I find the classes so helpful and we've got a few kids at ours that seem to enjoy it.

 

I struggled with my weight all through school and have lost a lot from slimming world before and I would definately recommend it for a simple way to lose weight.

 

Forgot to add, they encourage you to eat more than usual so if your daughter has a big appetite this could be a good idea, basically i've found the more u eat the more you lose a week!

 

 

http://www.slimmingworld.com/our-members/free2go.aspx heres the link to the teen bit.

Edited June 8, 2011 by TerryRGirl

[LeMaquis 10]

You could start by looking at how she managed to become that big in the first place. Obviously she's eating too much of the wrong food so although it would be a good idea to cut down you may want to change what she eats as well as how much. Having said that she's still growing so does need something inside her. Don't forget vitamins, nutrition, etc. Yes to fruit and vegetables, no to chocolate, too much sugar, crisps, chips and other fried stuff, etc. If she doesn't like it, tough.

 

The other thing is exercise. You're doing the right thing by getting her swimming but get her walking as well. It reduces the amount of fat in the bloodstream as well as getting her fit. She may put weight on her muscles through exercise but that shouldn't be a problem as she'll be able to deck anyone who bullies her. Eating after exercise can mean weight going on the muscles rather than other areas.

 

You've had some sarky responses but remember her health is already suffering and will continue to do so in future if she doesn't get her weight down and live more healthily. I don't want to get too personal but you have to question your own role in her lifestyle. Kids are expanding because parents have more money and less time so their kids eat more and do less exercise. Some parents abuse themselves with over-consumption and let their kids do the same. As a nation we're getting bigger across generations.

 

Anyway, all the best. You've done the right thing asking for help although you seemed more concerned about your daughter being bullied rather than in her physical well-being. Do contact health and childcare specialists and take their advice.

[lara joyce 10]

i second slimming world its brill iv lost loads x

[Chelle01 10]

Not sure if this is still running, but it might be helpful, if you can get a referral in your area,

 

http://www.sheffield.nhs.uk/services/watchit.php

[fab5 10]

she is only 11 dont start with slimming clubs, eat health foods and get her to snack on fruit and the weight will drop off. Get her a trampoline great exercise and fun aswell

Edited June 8, 2011 by fab5

[SALLY18 10]

I also know that the SHINE project is very good but she will need to be referred by your GP or even the school nurse, ask at your daughters school about the school nurse service.

[indiechick 10]

If this is in response to the height and weight programme that has just been done in school and you have received a letter there is a number on it for school nursing service. They can give you general advice (family approach, portion sizes, increasing activity) and can refer you on to schemes such as SHINE or Watch-it (although thats just about to end but will b something similar in its place)

 

Googe Change4Life, some great stuff on there about portion sizes, healthy tips etc

[Naz25 10]

Hi there,

 

I work as the Service Manager for the Watch It Service. We are NHS Sheffield funded and work with overweight children and their families. We offer a 3 month service to help families to support the child to lose weight, increase activity levels and to become healthier.

 

Please take a look at our website for further information;

http://www.zestcommunity.co.uk .....and look for watch it.

 

Sadly at the moment we are in the process of applying for further funding. If you complete a referral form for your daughter, then we will be able to contact you in August to offer you a service (it may be us, or another organisation who get the funding).

 

I think you will find coming to a programme really supportive, as you will get advice on portion sizes, healthy eating, the chance to meet other families who are in the same situation and an activty aimed to support overweight children.

 

All the best.

 

Naz.

[Darth Vader 10]

She needs to know she's loveable and beautiful as she is. She needs to know that bullies need to be tackled head on and she must not feel that she has to change in any way because of bullying. She needs to lose the weight FOR HER. Sit down with her and make a list together of the pros and cons of being overweight and the pros and cons of being a healthy weight. I fear if she goes on some sort of silly and potentially dangerous crash diet now, to avoid being bullied, then she will rebel later by putting on even more weight. You hit the nail on the head, you are thin and have never had to diet. Please don't start putting her on restrictive diet, as she will then be forever in the stupid circle of dieting and putting on weight. Rather, give her lots of healthy choices, cook together, look at the loads of healthier alternatives to foods she likes. Exercise together, but nothing too strenuous at first, does she like dancing? Start with 10 mins dancing everyday and then take it up to half an hour. Don't tell her she can't eat sweets/chocolate, etc - say, it's a treat and if you really want it, have 3 bites and then put the rest away for next time. Try and keep her salt, sugar, fat intake down. Someone has suggested slimming world, you could base a regime loosely on this, looking at the food combining, as essentially, she will never have to go hungry. Don't allow her to go hungry, as she'll just end up storing more of her food, just encourage her to fill up on foods with less salt, sugar, fat content. Throw the scales away, and let her judge by how her clothes feel, and new/old clothes she can get in to. I'm very wary of some of the diets and programmes out there, that treat foods as 'sins' and leave dieters feeling hungry but if there are projects that can help, they are definitely worth looking in to.

 

I'm sorry you've had some less than helpful replies. It's easy to point the finger, and to some on here a cannabis addiction is more acceptable than a food addiction.

[Chez2 10]

thanks for that i will i should have no better to even put any thing on hear because you ask for help and advice and you allways get one who takes the mick

 

Any chance you can change the diet of for the whole family so its not so obvious shes on a diet? I'm a bit weak when it comes to chocolate so don't buy anything thats puts temptation in her way. Thts what I try to do anyway.

 

Can you give her a goal such as a sensible weight loss target per week for several weeks and she gets some sort of treat ie new smaller clothes or something else non food related if she reaches target?

 

Try to pick some exercise that you can do with her. Can you go for short walks anywhere? Would she walk if you went out with a neighbours dog?