Help! My Toddler is Overweight!
One of the most exciting aspects of a well visit is the big weigh in that your baby will receive each time. It’s amazing that an average 8 pound baby can double their weight in just a few weeks and there are more than one proud set of parents who twitter, Facebook and blog their baby’s weight after each visit. Yet, when is a big baby too big?
Obviously, baby fat is expected. Certainly babies come in all shapes and sizes and some are long and lean from birth while others are more like marshmallows. Breast fed babies are normally pudgier in the first few months of life and tend to gain weight more quickly than formula fed babies. However, by the time your child is around a year old, things begin to balance out and their solid food diet contributes to much of their weight gain. This is where many parents run into trouble with weight.
One reason deciding whether or not your toddler is ‘overweight’ can be difficult is because the charts used to decipher weights in infants, babies and toddlers average their height, weight and head circumference. Your toddler will be placed in a percentile rating. If your toddler’s weight is in a percentile that is 20% higher than their height, there is a good chance that they may be gaining weight too quickly. This by no means dictates that you should put your toddler on a diet. In fact, most of these kids will grow into their weight over the course of months to a year. However, if their thighs and waistlines don’t seem to fit into clothes that fit them in length, reducing fattening foods and sugared drinks is probably a good idea.
There are many parents that are baffled by their child’s weight because they feel that they simply don’t eat. Keep in mind that formula, breast milk and many juices even those designed for toddlers are very high in carbohydrates, sugars and pack enough calories to keep an adult sized person burning all day. It could be that they are consuming their caloric and fat intake plus some through fluids. Similarly, if your child eats heartily and you subsidize with juices, sodas or milk you may literally be overfeeding your baby.
Another reason that toddlers become over weight is because parents worry excessively about their toddler eating enough and since they won’t touch the steamed veggies or healthy choices, they offer cookies, chips or other high fat, high carbohydrate foods. It’s only natural to worry that your child eats enough but parents need to be more concerned with what their child is eating than how much. If your child is finicky or doesn’t have much of an appetite, finding creative snack foods that are healthy will fortify them with the nutrients they need rather than cause them to gain excess weight too quickly.
Another way to reduce caloric intake is to make the switch to skim or 1% milk. One cup of milk can have 16 grams of fat and 150 calories per serving. If it is sweetened with strawberry or chocolate flavoring, the numbers sky rocket. Skim milk may take some getting used to however it is well worth it in the years to come.
When you pick out juices, try not to be fooled by all the toddler friendly packaging and marketing schemes that companies use to make parents feel as though they are getting the best juice for their child. IN fact, you have to read the labels and may find that natural or organic juices sold outside of the toddler/baby aisle are healthier. Many of the pre-packaged toddler, microwaveable meals are also full of preservatives that can cause water retention, are high in carbohydrates, transfats and fats which can easily contribute to an overweight toddler. Your best bet is to prepare foods at home so that you are sure the amount of salts, preservatives and fats is reduced and that the products are made from fresh, wholesome ingredients.
Toddlers will eat randomly. One day they may be ravished, eating more than you and then the next few days they may want little more than a bowl of cereal. Remember that children are born with a very natural appetite and cravings that are designed to meet the needs of their growing body. Allow your child to pay attention to these needs and wants and don’t force foods when a child is not hunger. Just because it is dinner time, does not necessarily mean your child has to consume a three course meal. By allowing them to listen to their innate hunger signals they will be less likely to emotionally eat or eat out of habit as they grow.
The risks of having an overweight toddler are tremendous. Often, toddlers that are overweight are the result of overindulgent parents. If you just can’t say no to your child when they want a cookie, consider these facts. If your toddler is overweight now, they are ten times more likely to develop Juvenile diabetes. They are also prone to Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic problems, weakened immunity and sluggish brain development. Their weight can cause them to have difficulty with large motor skills, can hinder self confidence and can contribute to asthma and allergies. The American Heart Association has seen a drastic increase in the amount of elementary school kids who have heart problems normally associated with aging. The bottom line is that as a parent, you are the one in control and your child’s weight is your responsibility to manage. While it may feel good to indulge in desserts or treats from time to time, making it a habit causes lifelong habits that can easily lead to obesity.
If you notice that your toddler is routinely checking in at a weight of 20% more than their height – the time to make changes is now. Toddlers are resilient and can learn new eating habits very quickly. Be creative with foods by offering low fat dips or fun shapes and you will see your child will be interested in eating. Also, make sure that your toddler is getting plenty of exercise each day. While most are naturally active – your toddler should be encouraged to move, be active and participate in activities that challenge their body. This will help them sleep better, develop quickly and can bring their body, height measurements back into balance in no time.
