Childhood Obesity

[canadiancare]

Have any of you had a child in your care who was significantly overweight?

I have been at this for 21 years and I have never had a chubby child let alone an obese one.

I always end up with the super skinnies or the very healthy bodyweights.

[Laurel]

Have any of you had a child in your care who was significantly overweight?

I have been at this for 21 years and I have never had a chubby child let alone an obese one.

I always end up with the super skinnies or the very healthy bodyweights.

No, not while I was watching them but one of the first babies I watched is now in high school and she is overweight now. Her sister is starting to get chubbier also.

No surprise as mom was obese and had the lap band done. I haven't seen the mom so don't know if she was successful at dropping more weight as she was just a few weeks after surgery when I saw her last. I just think it was the family's eating habits although dad tried to watch his weight and lost some. The girls were never encouraged to exercise much either. So sad cause (I know we're not supposed to say this) but she was my favorite day care girl of all time. Such a sweetheart. I hate to see her struggle with this especially in high school.

Laurel

[Blackcat31]

Yes.

I had a little boy who was perfectly fine and healthy until age two.

By the time he was 2.5 yrs old he weighed 40 lbs.

He was normal height though and by the time he left my care at 5 yrs old, he weighed 100lbs.

His family pretty much ate fast food for every meal and in front of the TV every time.

It was a really sad situation but a touchy one too...kwim?

I had the older sibling and although he was overweight as well, he was VERY active and loved playing outside and being in sports. The younger brother didn't like to do ANY thing physical.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Yes.

I had a little boy who was perfectly fine and healthy until age two.

By the time he was 2.5 yrs old he weighed 40 lbs.

He was normal height though and by the time he left my care at 5 yrs old, he weighed 100lbs.

His family pretty much ate fast food for every meal and in front of the TV every time.

It was a really sad situation but a touchy one too...kwim?

I had the older sibling and although he was overweight as well, he was VERY active and loved playing outside and being in sports. The younger brother didn't like to do ANY thing physical.

I have chairs that the children use prior to pick-up only that have a weight limit of 50 pounds. I would feel incredibly bad placing an overweight child on one of the mealtime chairs because the other chairs would break...I guess I'll have to figure this out when the time comes.

I did have an overweight child here for about 8 months (they moved). He slimmed down while in my care drastically because he wasn't being catered to with unhealthy foods.

[daycarediva]

Yes, I currently have one that is obese (by BMI charts, this child is chubby, but SOLID) he will be a linebacker I swear, and Mom & I have stopped his constant snacking and he gets one junk meal a week (pizza, happy meal, etc) He is soooo active it's insane, he never sits still. He is also very tall for his age (same height as my 5yo son)

I had a child in care 2 years ago that was out of our school district and aged out who was very overweight. To the point that finding clothes that fit was impossible and everything had to be altered. Instead of seeing this as an issue, his Mom was PROUD of it. It was the saddest thing ever. He had neck folds that I would have to help him wash, he had fat that hung on each side of his little knees, at 5 years old he was over 100lbs. He couldn't keep up with the other kids in anything, and even playing on the floor was hard, and he was always so unhappy. If he ever made a noise, food was the solution. He was ALWAYS starving. Mom would post pictures on facebook of him eating triple whoppers, super sized fries and sodas. It got to the point that I called CPS on her. No idea what happened to him or how he is now.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Yes, I currently have one that is obese (by BMI charts, this child is chubby, but SOLID) he will be a linebacker I swear, and Mom & I have stopped his constant snacking and he gets one junk meal a week (pizza, happy meal, etc) He is soooo active it's insane, he never sits still. He is also very tall for his age (same height as my 5yo son)

I had a child in care 2 years ago that was out of our school district and aged out who was very overweight. To the point that finding clothes that fit was impossible and everything had to be altered. Instead of seeing this as an issue, his Mom was PROUD of it. It was the saddest thing ever. He had neck folds that I would have to help him wash, he had fat that hung on each side of his little knees, at 5 years old he was over 100lbs. He couldn't keep up with the other kids in anything, and even playing on the floor was hard, and he was always so unhappy. If he ever made a noise, food was the solution. He was ALWAYS starving. Mom would post pictures on facebook of him eating triple whoppers, super sized fries and sodas. It got to the point that I called CPS on her. No idea what happened to him or how he is now.

I would be so sad to have to witness that. I weigh 115 when I'm not pregnant and I'm no where close to 5-years-old.

[daycarediva]

ECS- I know! At 5, before he aged out, he fell and was crying. I could no longer lift him up comfortably and I lift HEAVY weights (easily bench press more than my body weight) so, stronger than your average 5'1"/120lb woman. He wore mens underwear and shirts & pants that were hemmed and only elastic waist. He never had a coat that fit right and even his shoes had to be sized up to accomodate his ankles.

[bluemoose_mom]

Yes, I do. I've tried my hardest to keep the food I serve as healthy as possible, but still kid likeable (I serve one kid friendly meal per week, per meal). I don't offer candy or juice except on special rare occasions.

I've had this little one since 6 months old, and nearly everything I've done to keep this child's weight healthy, parent's counteract by what's served at home (and in large quantities). I don't get it. I find it very sad. What's worse is that this little one will eat anything...things I could never get my other kids to even look at. They could be the healthiest eater around...nope, gotta only offer crap at home.

This child couldn't climb stairs at 16 months because they couldn't get their legs up that high because they were too thick.

[countrymom]

yes she was 5 and 80 pounds. her whole family was overweight. my niece shes 5 and almost 70 pounds, she wears a size 8 in clothes, my sister over feeds her. My friend that is a provider has an obese child. she is 5 and wieghs about 100 pounds. Kids make fun of her, she can't run can't sit properly. Mom feeds her junk all day long

[youretooloud]

I've had several.

In fact, I have one right now. Her older sister is extremely obese for her age, and I see the same thing happening to this girl. She'll start pre-K this fall, and i'm hoping with the extra activities, and the school lunches, she'll thin out a little.

I had one a few years ago who was extremely overweight at three when I got her. Her grandmother did that to her. "If you are good, i'll buy you a happy meal" (right after lunch and snack, but before dinner) Every day, they went to Jamba Juice or McDonalds for a "snack", but a snack was a whole meal. Childcare was free, so her parents had to decide "Pay someone else, or allow her to get fatter?" At three, they decided to bring her to me. She was very active. Loved to run...etc, but I just couldn't slim her down. So, either she was eating more at home than they liked to admit, or she is just going to be a big girl? She's nine now, and hasn't gotten worse, but no better either.

I know for sure that *I* contribute to the problem. I really need to revamp the way I feed them. I have fallen into the "He only eats _____" and I started trying to pander to them, and now it's a habit for the kids. I also will let them have more food as long as I have the food. I won't make more, but i'll serve it until it's gone.

[countrymom]

I've had several.

In fact, I have one right now. Her older sister is extremely obese for her age, and I see the same thing happening to this girl. She'll start pre-K this fall, and i'm hoping with the extra activities, and the school lunches, she'll thin out a little.

I had one a few years ago who was extremely overweight at three when I got her. Her grandmother did that to her. "If you are good, i'll buy you a happy meal" (right after lunch and snack, but before dinner) Every day, they went to Jamba Juice or McDonalds for a "snack", but a snack was a whole meal. Childcare was free, so her parents had to decide "Pay someone else, or allow her to get fatter?" At three, they decided to bring her to me. She was very active. Loved to run...etc, but I just couldn't slim her down. So, either she was eating more at home than they liked to admit, or she is just going to be a big girl? She's nine now, and hasn't gotten worse, but no better either.

I know for sure that *I* contribute to the problem. I really need to revamp the way I feed them. I have fallen into the "He only eats _____" and I started trying to pander to them, and now it's a habit for the kids. I also will let them have more food as long as I have the food. I won't make more, but i'll serve it until it's gone.

oh hun don't blame yourself. Its trying to win a losing battle. How do you make kids eat when they go home and eat junk. Thats why I have kids who don't want to eat here, cause they go home and eat cr@p.
you can make them do all the excerise you want but when they go home and do nothing, its defeating the purpose.
I bought dck donuts today, because dck eats nothing but junk and no one seems to be concerned anymore, not even the dr.Sadly I think this will effect her as she gets older.

[Starburst]

I had one a few years ago who was extremely overweight at three when I got her. Her grandmother did that to her. "If you are good, i'll buy you a happy meal" (right after lunch and snack, but before dinner) Every day, they went to Jamba Juice or McDonalds for a "snack", but a snack was a whole meal. Childcare was free, so her parents had to decide "Pay someone else, or allow her to get fatter?" At three, they decided to bring her to me. She was very active. Loved to run...etc, but I just couldn't slim her down. So, either she was eating more at home than they liked to admit, or she is just going to be a big girl? She's nine now, and hasn't gotten worse, but no better either.

In some cases people are just meant to have a bigger build. Being big boned is a real thing http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/fsz- but there is a difference between overweight and big boned. I am about 5'2"/5'3" and I have a large bone frame. For my height and age I should be anywhere between 99-130 pounds but because of my frame my real ideal weight is about 130-150. Before I even knew that I had one doctor tell me when I was a teen that I shouldn't even consider being below 130 because I would look very gaunt, because of the way most of my weight is distributed (I'm pear shaped). I am still considered overweight (even obese according to standard BMI) but I hope to shed most of that weight this summer.

[crazydaycarelady]

Like OP I have been at this 22 years but have never had an obese child in care either. Now that I think of it is surprises me since obesity is so rampant. I usually have the same kids for 5 years though. I am thinking the good food and daily activity, combined with lack of TV and video games here contributes to their good health? along with good parenting on the parents part. Most of my families eat a home cooked dinner together as a family most evenings.

BTW - I think some of those BMI/weight charts are antiquated. One of them gave a recommended weight for me that was less than what I weighed in high school when I ran cross-country track.

[LaLa1923]

In some cases people are just meant to have a bigger build. Being big boned is a real thing http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/fsz- but there is a difference between overweight and big boned. I am about 5'2"/5'3" and I have a large bone frame. For my height and age I should be anywhere between 99-130 pounds but because of my frame my real ideal weight is about 130-150. Before I even knew that I had one doctor tell me when I was a teen that I shouldn't even consider being below 130 because I would look very gaunt, because of the way most of my weight is distributed (I'm pear shaped). I am still considered overweight (even obese according to standard BMI) but I hope to shed most of that weight this summer.

I also have a large frame. I hope to loose the weight I gained since working from home.



My baby is going to be 6 soon and she weighs 72 pounds. She also has a large frame. My baby has sleep apnea and thus she has less energy. Her metabolism is also slower than most little girls her age. Her weight makes her sleep apnea worse and vice versa.

We are working hard to change things.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I also have a large frame. I hope to loose the weight I gained since working from home.



My baby is going to be 6 soon and she weighs 72 pounds. She also has a large frame. My baby has sleep apnea and thus she has less energy. Her metabolism is also slower than most little girls her age. Her weight makes her sleep apnea worse and vice versa.

We are working hard to change things.

Totally different situation than children who are overweight or obese due to a simple lack of good nutrition and exercise.