Is my 6 year old dd overweight? :(

[~Kim~]

Ok, I don't know how heavy she is, we don't own scales.. Maybe I shouldn't just be going on her (what seems to bigger) tummy as that seems to be the only place she larger than other kids her age... (But that is the way I was at her age).. She has much more confidence than I ever remember having, it really doesn't bother her. I suppose it was when looking for shorts for her for an upcoming holiday. Having to go into pre-teens for something that I started doubting her size.

I do know how heavy my DD1 is as I weigh her every time she needs pain relief, however I do totally understand the worry. My dd is as tall if not taller than kids 4years older than her, and often kgs heavier. She is however strong, and lean. But, when she is about to shoot up (which is about every 3days lol) she gets a rounder tummy. It's like her body knows it needs more to be able to stretch

I do agree with Nai about being aware. Aware but not alarmed if you like. I have been conscious my girls whole lives not to talk weight/diet/obesity. I remember my mum being on a diet my entire childhood. She was always stressed about h weight. I'm not stressed about mine, but I make good choices and move a lot. My sister is seriously affected by weight and self esteem issues.
My kids see me working out, they come for runs etc but we also hike and play outside a lot too just doing kid stuff. DH's family are all morbidly obese. It worries me enough to want to model great behaviours deliberately.

[sunshine 11]

Like the other ladies said, kudos to you for wanting to make sure you set up your DD for success in living a healthy life. Diet plays an enormous part in our health, so to me, taking stock of what you (because your kids watch how you eat) and your child eat is number 1. No junk in the house is the first step - if it's not there, you aren't tempted and therefore your child isn't either. If you can in the most part avoid using food/junk food as reward for good behaviour you will be avoiding that trap for a lifetime for her. that doesn't mean you never have junk food - but rather it's an every now and again food. The message is not that it makes you fat, but that it makes you unhealthy! Running around at school and extra sports is part of it, but that alone won't be enough without a great diet. Ditch sugary treats, chips etc for a once a week treat to start with, shared with the family. Check out the backs of packs to see if they have numbers written on it - a great start to realise what kids are eating - and therefore what to avoid. No processed sugars and no trans fats is far more important than food advertised as 'low fat'.
I am not naturally fat, however I eat much better than the majority of people do and think often people don't realise what they are consuming. Good luck. On your journey - I hope you can make the changes for you as well as your daughter