Overweight 7 year old help!

[LoveMyBaby786]

So my DS turned 7 in July. All his life he has been very slim, ive had loads of unnecessary comments all his life about him being too skinny he needs to eat more blablabla.. which i ignored.

However, since i would say from October 2018 his weight has slowly started creeping up. I have only majorly noticed it these past few months and haven't a clue what to do!

I'm also worried about diabetes and both my grandparents from both sides had diabetes and also my dad has diabetes just found out recently. My husband and his family are all fine.

My sons weight is currently 35.5kg (about 78 pounds) and his height is roughly 51 inches (about 4ft 3inches). Size 9-10 trousers are tight on him around his waist but are long in lengthas he isnt exactly tall so shopping for trousers is a real struggle so he just has to wear joggers. He isn't tall so he does look a little 'podgy'.

He is a terrible eater as well. All he wants is junk and chocolate and pasta is his favourite ‍

I want to start him on a healthy eating plan tomorrow. I don't know if i should be weighing him aswell or just stick to healthy eating or do i calorie count etc...

Any advice would be much appreciated please and thank you!

 

[AngelUK]

This is a very tricky thing to do with a kid as you don't want to set them up with a lifelong problem. I am a lifelong dieter and can trace the beginnings of that back to my mum putting me on a diet as a kid. I also have a 7y boy who is a bit on the heavy side and always has been. (He is 31kg but a sturdy build anyway and 1m31 tall).
My advice would therefore be to concentrate completely on eating healthily as a family to talk about the benefits of healthy food (maybe especially in view od the diabetes in your family) and leave ANY mention of weight or calories or his body out of the conversation COMPLETELY! If the whole family eats more healthily and he isn't the only one being singled out to not get treats (that was done to me so I started sneaking treats!) it will be a much easier on him. I would still allow the occasional treat as being deprived completely is only going to make him crave it more.
I hope this helps and good luck!

 

[LoveMyBaby786]

Thank you so much! Yes sorry i probably worded it wrong but i would in no way do this to make him feel singled out. I have a DD who is 5 and she will be eating the same as him and so will i.

I agree about the occasional treat. It will be hard for him if i completely cut out all treats so will take things slowly. Main thing i would like to do is stop all the chocs and large portions as i have also noticed he always asks for food especially when he is bored so need to keep him more occupied.

Thank you again for replying