At What Age Should You Start Worrying About Your Child's Weight?

Dear Readers,

               The issue of rising obesity among young children has been a difficult one for those in the eating disorder field. Yes, the increase has been frightening, and something should be done about it. But the fear is that approaching the problem too zealously, or without giving a child the right information and tools to manage weight, well-meaning parents and health care professionals could be putting the child at risk for an eating disorder as she or he grows up.

               I saw this issue addressed again recently in a June 10 article in The Wall Street Journal, “The War on Obesity Targets Toddlers.” The article discussed parents of mere 3-year-olds who were informed their toddler was overweight and told something needed to be done. Hospitals and clinics, in turn, have duly responded to this “crisis.”

               The Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, for instance, reports the Journal, now has a weight-management group for 2- to 5-year-olds, and there are a number of pre-school programs across the nation aimed at increasing physical activity for both overweight and normal-weight kids.

                Here’s Marcia’s reaction to this trend of labeling younger and younger kids as obese and trying to teach them better eating and exercise habits: “These kinds of programs do make me nervous, but I am aware that research has been done showing that good weight loss programs for children and teens don’t cause eating disorders.”

               One counter-argument comes from a University of Minnesota study published this year that found that when parents correctly realized that their child was overweight they tended to simply put their kids on a diet. We know that this strategy does not work, especially for girls, who are more likely to develop body image problems and/or an eating disorder. Of course this Minnesota study targeted adolescents, not 3- and 4-year-olds. Still, the finding that parents tended not to react in a constructive way – offering more fruits and vegetables, fewer high-sugar drinks, snacks and fast foods; cutting down on tv viewing; increasing family meals and exercise, and teaching kids how to make healthful food choices – is likely true for parents of toddlers who are overweight as well.

               The key seems to be to make sure that if you are working with a toddler or an older child, you have the proper nutritional supervision as you embark on a weight-loss program. It’s important to remember that your child is still growing, and needs a variety of foods: protein, fats, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables. The Journal article points out that kids up to about age 5 need a higher percentage of fat in their diet than adults do, as well.

               Marcia herself has worked with many overweight children with good success. “What I’ve found is that my patients end up protected from eating disorders because they have learned healthy ways to manage their weight,” she says. “I also talk to kids about body image and genetics AND the dangers of eating disorders.”

               Marcia’s advice to parents: “Make sure any weight loss program you enroll your children in addresses these important issues.” A child who knows that weight and size are largely genetically determined, that body acceptance is important to maintaining a stable weight, and that starving oneself can lead to an eating disorder is a child who has a better chance at healthy weight management.

Take care,

Nancy

Comments

[Ken Yelin]

Excellent article that I will link from my web site.
www.bigtimesinfo.com

please consider posting future articles on my site.

Thanks,

Ken Yelin

[Nancy]

Dear Ken,

It was great to receive your positive feedback. We will definitely post future weight-loss/obesity/nutrition/fitness articles on your excellent site. Keep up the good work!
Best,
Nancy

[Matthew Tiemeyer]

In complete agreement here. Some of the research I've done on message boards really indicates that parents panic when their kids are perceived as overweight. I don't know of a single problem that responds well to panic! A much more thoughtful approach, as described here, makes all the sense in the world.

Matt Tiemeyer - About.com Guide to Eating Disorders
http://eatingdisorders.about.com

[nancy]

Matthew,
It is a real conundrum, and you see the tensions between the anti-obesity people and the eating disorder professionals play out a lot at eating disorder conferences. The question is, is it possible to raise anxiety about the rising tide of obesity without provoking body dissatisfaction or setting kids up for future eating disorders?
Thanks for your comment,
Nancy