Advice for an overweight five year old boy. Serious Problem!

[Anonymous]

So I have a 24yo friend, who has a 5yo boy. The boy is very cute and funny, but last time she took him to the doctor, he confirmed the kid was overweight, (cause she already knew).

This kid wants to eat every time he sees food. Like I'm not kidding, even if he's not hungry. And she doesn't like to say "No" to him when it come to food. So she came to me (cause she knows I'm a health freak) and asked for my advice.

I told her that it wasn't the kid's fault, she had to stop feeding her kid with gross/fatty food like McDonalds, etc. And Stop giving the kid sodas and sugary juices, just water. Not even as a reward, because when children start to see food as a reward/ as a gift that would bring happiness to his life, that's when the problem starts. Well the problem is already here so. But I don't know if my advice was the best, cause after all he's only a 5 years old.

Even the doctor agreed with me, but he said it was okay to give the kid a weekend reward meal at any fast food place. I think that is the worst she can do.

Please help us. we need other opinions about the subject.

[Anonymous]

i agree with you. she needs to take charge and turn it around. she is the parent, not that little boy. of course he wants to eat mcdonald's. if I was a kid I'd much rather have a Happy Meal then some broccoli but which one is better for you? it is going to be a hard adjustment for him for the next few weeks but she needs to stick to it. TV, internet, video games should be limited - he should be playing games and running around more. maybe she can set up playdates with some kids from his class?

[Cylon]

I agree with what you said. A 5 year old should be active and not sitting around eating all day. She needs to take him outside and play with him. Any fast food or junk food should only be given at some random occurrence (once a month maybe) and not as a reward.

Its kind of sad how things are now. Kids are supposed to be full of enery. They should want to play outside all of the time. It seems like all they want to do is watch tv, play video games, and eat all day.

[Asker]

Yes but parents in general are guilty of this.

[Cylon]

The parents are definitely the ones to blame when it comes to a 5 year old child.

[wanacot]

She needs to remember that SHE is the parent and SHE is in charge. You can't let the kid dictate how things are going to go. If the kid wanted to have every toy he saw would she buy them all? No, that is foolish way to spoil your child and a waste of money. She needs to lay down the law for her kid. Have only healthy snacks and food in the house, don't keep junk food like cookies, chips, pop, etc. If the kid doesn't see it, then the kid can't ask/scream/demand it.

[Asker]

Thanks for you advice this really helps.

[l-hedoniste]

Have him eat right and exercise. It's the oldest advice, the best advice--the only advice, really.

[Asker]

What kind of exercise for a 5 year old?

[l-hedoniste]

Running, jumping, playing...normal stuff.