Worried about DD's weight...

[spookyblue]

My daughter recently had a pedi app't and everything looked perfect...except that she was in the 90th percentile for her weight when you factored in her height (34.5", 29.9 lbs). So, now she's considered overweight . What really stumps me is that her eating habits aren't even consistent with it. While they did mention she might just be due for a growth spurt, she has always been in the 30 % for her height...

1) I feed her the right foods, measure out toddler-sized portions, and take her to the park to play at least every other day. She also doesn't get juice more than 2-3x a week and when she does, it's at 8 oz and watered down by 3x.

2) She's been short and chubby since birth (8.5 lbs, 19" long).

3) Oh, and some days, she just picks at her food and that's when I wonder if she's getting anything at all.

I've been concerned about her weight a few months before seeing the pedi. Is she really at risk for being obese or does she just have some growing to do? I'm tearing my hair out over this...

[LynnS6]

Obesity is the new buzzword and I think doctors are overreacting. From what you wrote, it sounds like her BMI is in the 90th percentile. But I'm not sure that BMI is really all that accurate a measure for a toddler.

I've got one kid who's always between being a healthy weight and underweight. I've got another who's always between a healthy weight and 'at risk' for being overweight. The difference for each is the timing of the growth spurts. Dd is getting ready for one and looks a bit chubby. Ds just finished one and looks thin.

Different kids, different body types. Do I have to keep an eye on them? Yeah, but as long as they're eating relatively healthily, getting enough outside time, I'm not worried.

I do have to make sure that ds (my skinny kid) eats regularly. I do have to make sure that dd doesn't spend the whole day sitting around reading books, that she gets out. I do have to make sure that they both don't eat out of boredom, and that they make good food choices.

It sounds like your child's diet is healthy, and that she's reasonably active. Take a deep breath and relax.

[LadyCatherine185]

How old is she? At a "toddler" age (I am assuming she is 2?) I would NOT worry about her being "overweight" at all. She is growing so much and she needs that extra "fat" for healthy brain development and growth.

FWIW, my DS has always been in the 90th % for weight (right now at 23 months he is about 35" and 31 lbs) and lower % for height. Our ped has always been very pleased with his growth and chubiness. Most people have the opposite problem with their older babies/young toddlers not eating enough.

Also, the fact that she has been following her own growth curve should ease the concern. If she was always really skinny and then suddenly bulked up, then maybe you would have something to worry about....

[crunchy_mommy]

I don't think she's at risk for being obese, I think she's just a solid kid... which could partly be genetics (i.e. I have one friend who's really skinny & her toddler is really skinny too, and I have another friend & her toddler on the opposite end, definitely not overweight just... solid)... Plus they need the extra fat right now & she may lose it after another growth spurt or as she gets more active (not sure how old she is now?)

The kids I would worry about being overweight are the ones drinking not-watered-down juice/soda/punch frequently, eating lots of processed/sugary/salty food, etc. -- I wouldn't base it on weight but on bad eating habits that will last as they get older & also predispose them to things like diabetes.

[Violet2]

I was told experts don't worry until the 3 year mark.

We are almost at the 3 year mark and I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for the ped.

Because, like you, we do all the right things and I have no idea what we would change. DD is just a natural chunk right now.

V

[spookyblue]

That's what I thought. DH was a chunk-face at her age, too (she's 27 mos) and I'm sensing that she'll take more after him . I just love her little rolls and chubby cheeks and want to enjoy them in case she grows out of it and ends up being tall and skinny like me