Mumstown Chat

by **Sabbi** » Fri Mar 10, 2017 4:45 pm

Sabbi: Posts: 7950

I heard a mum the other day say she was putting her daughter 'On a Diet'!!

Is this a good idea?

I think it sounds dangerous to put a child on a diet. By restricting their foods and making them feel they are being deprived of so called 'treat's, this could lead to them having a complex relationship with food later on in life.

I think parents have a responsibility not to talk about their weight all the time in negative ways. Mums being in slimming clubs and talking about depriving themselves of ‘treat’ foods can lead to a child developing a complex relationship with food too. I know alot of us are being careful about what we eat on here at the moment but its not in an obsessive way (I hope not anyways!)

I had knee surgery late last year and had to rest & recuperate for 10 weeks and I put on over a stone & half in that time. I am now back exercising and shifting the weight but I don’t talk about my weight gain negatively to my children. I don’t complain about how I look in front of my daughters. I am just happy I am back to moving about and I know I’ll be back to myself soon. Its how we talk about food and weight that impacts our children’s view of themselves and what it means to diet.

I think what’s important is not to be critical of the child and not to tell them they are on a diet. Parents can make so many changes without impacting negatively on the child. Some top pointers I would recommend are:
• Swap fizzy drink and sugary juices for water
• Increase their fruit intake by making fruit salads. I let my children pick the fruit in the shop and also, help chop it up.
• Veggies can be hidden in dinners. For e.g. I finely chop or blend courgettes, peppers, garlic, carrots etc. into dinners like lasagne or shepherds pie, so they are getting a lot of veg but don’t realise it.
• Vary their school lunches so they don’t get bored.
• Don't buy crisps, chocolate, biscuits. Make fresh popcorn instead, they can help make it and they love it.

What do you think? Is it dangerous to put a child on a diet and tell them so?

by **remeneerb** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 11:47 am

remeneerb

Posts: 83

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I totally agree, i don't think it's a good idea to put a child on a diet at all. No child should ever be made feel that they don't look right or that they need to lose weight. A healthy attitude towards food and eating is what is important. Parents should lead by good example and encourage kids to enjoy exercise and games. I don't think it would benefit the child in the long run to be put on a restricted eating regime. This could just lead to complex relationships with food and risk a possible eating disorder in later years. I know that I would be very upset if my parents ever put me on a diet!

by **munchin** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 2:50 pm

munchin: Posts: 5445

Totally agree
As parents we more or less monitor what our children eat anyway so if your concerned about their diet change it but no need to be saying diet etc.....in fact even in relation to adults it shouldn't be a diet but healthier eating and I think for most part if parents are eating healthy children generally do too.
Maybe that mother should look at herself and family eating habits if you know what I mean.

by **Sabbi** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 5:12 pm

Sabbi: Posts: 7950

My nephew is a little divil for eating too much and he always goes for things like toast and jam, instead of fruit or chips and nuggets if he is with his grandparents and he doesn't play sports at all, so its a case of too much food and not enough activity.

My sister did not want to put him on a diet, she knows that can be really dangerous for a child.

He doesn't like to swim or play football or anything really. Whereas sister is really fit and healthy. She and her husband were worried sick about him as he was getting a bit heavy and was becoming self conscious too, so she got him a dog!

It has been the best thing for him. He takes the dog out for a walk every morning and evening and runs along the beach with her and is so much more active now. He has lost the extra weight and is a much happier boy now. It was the best solution for them!

So, another good reason to get a dog!!!