Child obesity

Created by
Updated on Feb 02, 2015
My 9 years old daughter is 139 cm in Height & weights 50Kg. She has hypothyroidism & is on Thyronorm 75 mcg. We are pure vegetarian & do not even have eggs. I am very concerned with her drastic weight gain & want to keep it under control. She is not ready to join yoga or gym. Please guide me as to what should I do to control her weight.

| Feb 02, 2015
Hi Smita! Since you have detected the underlying problem and are working on it, the weight gain should come under Control. Now to shed extra kilos which child has already put on due to this endocrinal problem u r advised to take following steps: 1. Cut down carbohydrates from child's diet for example rice and flour etc. and fat which is more in junk food and fried food and also sugar consumption needs to be cut down. 2. Add more of protein rich sources like tofu, paneer, soyabean, groundnut etc. 3. U could make the child join some physical activity of her choice like cycling, skipping rope, dance, sports like badminton, lawn tennis, etc. 4. u could bring down on family TV 's time and promote indulgence in physical activities Like going for morning walks, jogging, outdoor play etc. 5. schedule should be made in such a manner that there is at least one hour gap between dinner and bedtime. 6. Also u could follow same rules for all members so that child doesn't feel low or being treated differently as far as food or following strict physical activities is concerned. The participation from whole family would motivate the child to carry on. Please also ensure that there are no personal comments on child's weight gain or looks as this would affect her self image further affecting her self concept.

| Feb 03, 2015
smita, If the weight gain is due to her thyroid issues, then i am sure, overtime it will get sorted out. From your side, what you can do is to ensure he gets enough exercise--not only for her weight but good for her health too. you can enroll her for a dance class, or a sports activity such as tennis, swimming, football etc. lots of academies are nowadays giving this choice. also, without seeming to instruct her, involve her in activities with you, such as join a swimming class together or go on a nature hunt in the morning together. she will not feel she is being made to do so because of her weight and also mother daughter can have some great bonding time.

| Feb 03, 2015
Hi Smita, like sojal and shikha have suggested ideally increase her activity without her feeling the burden of it. she shouldn't feel like she is being punished for her weight--something not in her control. Involve her in activities that she will enjoy--sports, or participate or start your own running/cycling groups with friends, where you all can go out together. Also, ensure that she doesn't feel complexed about her weight. avoid remarking or talking abt it, talk abt her positives more, dress her in clothes that make her look slimmer.. focus on her nice things and once her thyroid is solved, she will come abck to normal weight.

| Feb 04, 2015
Hi Smita , ensure your child has less sweets in her diet and more fibre rich foods such as fruits and vegetables. make them interesting for her if you must. reduce maida from her diet and include more wholegrain flour, for eg: in a cake use half maida and half atta; get her enough outdoor play and exercise. And most importanly, ensure the entire family supports her in this. It is very wrong to expect the child to eat roti subzi when she knows the others in the family are planning naan and dal makhani. Bring less desserts and snacks in the house. only expecting her to cooperate, will make her feel her weight is like a punishment and she might feel complexed.

| Feb 04, 2015
Hi Smita, I like the suggestion by Ravina and especially the point that children need to get support from family. If they see, parents or others, eating chips and mithai, they too will want it. so i think, before working on her, you will have to convince everyone in the family to change their lifestyles too.

| Feb 06, 2015
Hi Smita. I think first of all you should check with a dietician who would guide you into what she should eat and what she should avoid. Ideally docs say that diet has nothing to do with thyroid. And am saying this from experience coz my sis in law has thyroid. Also rather than going thr antibiotics way why not try homeopathic medicines as these are known to cure illness on long term basis. So do check for the best homeopathic doc. And if she likes dancing or any such activities which involve lot of physical work ensure you get her enrolled for the same. This way she's not burdening herself and she's doing something that she always likes. Avoid maida, mayonnaise or foods which have bad fats.