What can I do to prevent my child from being 'obsessed' with food?!
Question: What can I do to prevent my child from being 'obsessed' with food!?
she's genetically prone to having weight problems!. big people on both sides of the family!. I have noticed lately she just wants to eat, always asking when the next meal is, etc!. Last night I found her sneaking a granola bar just before going to bed!. I have no problem with her eating if she's hungry!. She's good about drinking a lot of water and rarely, if ever, drinks soda pop!. (sometimes people think they are hungry when they are really thirsty)
I don't want her to grow up and having to deal with health issues that are related to being overweight!.
I do understand that sometimes kids go through growth spurts and eat a lot!.
What would be some positive things that I can do to prevent her from being obsessed with food, asking all the time when the next meal is!.
Oh, and she's 8 years old if you are wondering!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I don't want her to grow up and having to deal with health issues that are related to being overweight!.
I do understand that sometimes kids go through growth spurts and eat a lot!.
What would be some positive things that I can do to prevent her from being obsessed with food, asking all the time when the next meal is!.
Oh, and she's 8 years old if you are wondering!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
I heard once that the best thing parents can do in situations like this is to set a good example by not eating too much themselves!. Since you know that weight issues can be a big problem, I'm guessing that you already are setting a good example!.
She could also be doing what I do, which is eating because she's bored or doing something that she doesn't want to do!. You said she sneaked a granola bar before she went to bed -- did she WANT to go to bed!? Sometimes food provides a good way to procrastinate, because we know that it's necessary to eat, so why not now!? What is she doing when she asks when the next meal is -- is she bored!? She might be trying to replace her boredom with eating too!. Definitely not a good habit!
Try to make sure she has plenty of activities to do (of course, physical activity will also help keep her weight in check)!. Try to find a hobby that she really likes and can do at home, so that when she asks when dinner is, you can say "In a while!. Why don't you work on your hobby right now!?" Don't allow her to dwell on her hunger or use it as an excuse to put off doing something she doesn't want to do!.
She may never be totally fit and trim because of her genetics!. But if you haven't already, talk to her pediatrician about weight issues to see what he/she suggests also!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
She could also be doing what I do, which is eating because she's bored or doing something that she doesn't want to do!. You said she sneaked a granola bar before she went to bed -- did she WANT to go to bed!? Sometimes food provides a good way to procrastinate, because we know that it's necessary to eat, so why not now!? What is she doing when she asks when the next meal is -- is she bored!? She might be trying to replace her boredom with eating too!. Definitely not a good habit!
Try to make sure she has plenty of activities to do (of course, physical activity will also help keep her weight in check)!. Try to find a hobby that she really likes and can do at home, so that when she asks when dinner is, you can say "In a while!. Why don't you work on your hobby right now!?" Don't allow her to dwell on her hunger or use it as an excuse to put off doing something she doesn't want to do!.
She may never be totally fit and trim because of her genetics!. But if you haven't already, talk to her pediatrician about weight issues to see what he/she suggests also!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Usually kids eat only when they're hungry and you're right, she could be going through a growth spurt!. If she asks for food, give her something healthy like an apple or some other kind of fruit!. If she's hungry before bed-time I'd give her a glass of milk!. That'll help the hungrieness go away!. That's what I do!. Also get her active!. Take her for a walk or a bike ride or something!. The sooner you get her on a path of eating healty and exercising then she shouldn't have too many weight problems!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
My daughter is five and she is the same way , i noticed when she is bored she asks for things to eat, so i try to keep her busy with books , video games or take her to the park for a quick 30-45 minute run , or walk!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com