Overweight Pre-Teen Niece, Any Suggestions to help her?...

tricia

tricia

Cathlete
Hi everyone,

I haven't really been posting too much-we've had alot going on with my sister's family. She and her children had to come to my house (SC from PA) for the funeral of her 15 yr. old nephew in Mid-November, which was devastating.
While they were here, I got a real view of how my oldest niece (who is nine)has become obese. That is the only word I can think of to describe it. I want to do something to help her, but I have no idea what or how. She wants to lose weight, she even asked me what I thought of the Atkins diet (which scared me because she's nine -how could a diet like that affect her growth?).

Does anyone here have a similar situation, or know a child who has lost weight & how they did it?

I saw a segment on The View where Meredith is doing a year-long segment following obese kids, but I went to the website and couldn't find any useful info or links of any kind.

I would appreciate any input on this, I would love to be able to help in a constructive way.
Thanks,
Tricia
 
i would think that a childrens hospital in her area may have a weight loss clinic. the best thing to do would be for her parents to schedule an appointment with her ped md. she is still growing and developing so she would need to be careful to ensure proper nutrients are in her diet. atkins is not recommended for children.
 
You can get great advice from a pediatrician or even a dietician. I am currently working with them for my 12 year old son who is very thin and needs to gain weight and I need help on power packing his meals. You can look it up even on Discovery.com and go to discovery health they did a segment on that a few times you can get some good ideas from there also. But if any one has some great ideas on how to get a child to gain weight let me know! I could use more help for that.
 
I have an extended family memeber who sounds a lot like this. She is 10 years old, and is about 4'10" and weighs about 160-170. I would be very interested to see helpful ideas that I may pass on.

Unfortunately, I think most of the problem, in my situation, is just plain old overeating. It is astounding what she is allowed to consume with no guidance or restrictions. I have seen the men in my family be outdone by this little girl! Not just quantity, but quality is also neglected.

The saddest part is that it comes down to excuses. Her parents are divorced, and this is messy to say the least. She also has asthma. No one will even let her walk for exercise for fear she will breath too hard. Yet no one will tell her she has eaten enough and it is time to put away the food.

I would also appreciate input, and a way to help that is constructive.:)
 
That's a tough one! Since you aren't nearby, guiding her is tricky and she needs supervison. Was it her brother who died? I am so sorry to hear that. My 21 year-old died in a car crash and it was the most horrible and sad thing that has ever happened to our family. If it was her brother, her mother might just be too heartbroken to be able to help your neice at this time.

I would start writing her or calling her and encouraging her as you work out a plan. She wants help and needs it and it can be done! Enlisting the aid of an adult is probably necessary but you can pass on what you know and I know that will help. Good luck and keep us posted!
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/user.gif Bobbi
 
RE: Overweight Pre-Teen Niece, Any Suggestions to help ...

Rather than have her lose weight, I think it would be best for her to maintain the same weight while her body grows. It will still involve eating less, but it's much easier than trying to lose weight. The sad thing for overweight children is that they're often ridiculed when they try and participate in physical actitivities with other kids.
 
RE: Overweight Pre-Teen Niece, Any Suggestions to help ...

Thanks everyone,
I also posted on Ask Cathe and she gave me a link to Medem (Medical Library). I don't know how to put it here for those of you interested, sorry.
Bobbi, it was my sister's nephew by marriage -and her children's cousin. He got a gun out of it's locked box and loaded it-while unloading it to put it back, it went off. It was awful-my nephew was very close to his cousin and this was the first experience any of them had as far as dealing with a death in the family. I was at least glad to be with them and not 500 miles away, as would normally be the case.
It is hard for my sister since she is a single mom who has 3 jobs. I think they eat out alot or it's quick food that's not especially nutritious. And my niece has no concept of when she's full, she can eat alot (much like Dani posted here.) I'm going to check out the site that Cathe noted and send on whatever information I can.
Thanks again for the input!

Tricia
 
RE: Overweight Pre-Teen Niece, Any Suggestions to help ...

Oh, Tricia, that is so sad. I think you are a wonderful aunt to want to help your neice and the fact that she's asking about diets means she wants it! I'll do some web searching and see if I can find some workable suggestions.
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/user.gif Bobbi
 
RE: Overweight Pre-Teen Niece, Any Suggestions to help ...

Bobbi,
I just wanted to thank you for your kind words and that it's very nice of you to keep an eye out while web searching. That's why I love this forum, everyone here is so caring!


Tricia
 
RE: Overweight Pre-Teen Niece, Any Suggestions to help ...

Tricia, here's a book you might look into. Hopefully, you can find it at your public library, The Stoplight Diet for Children: An Eight-Week Program for Parents and Children by L.H. Epstein, and S. Squires,

I have some bookmarks for you including two programs; one called Shapedown and the other Hugs, which help children manage weight problems. I hope these help! Keep us posted and let me know if I can help in any way!

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/overweight-kid/helpchld.htm
http://www.kinderstart.com/frame_for_links.php?redirect=http://www.blubberbuster.com
http://www.shapedown.com/
http://www.hugs.com/
http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/user.gif Bobbi
 
RE: Overweight Pre-Teen Niece, Any Suggestions to help ...

Thank you so much for the information. I have a thirteen year old daughter that needs to lose weight. This is very helpful !!!!!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top