[cardamom]

My apologies if this has been done already.

I came across this article tonight; it's an excerpt from a book about a mother's quest to manage her daughter's weight issues.

http://www.essentialkids.com.au/younger-ki...0127-2deer.html

I'd be interested to see what others think of her approach.

As someone who has many issues from childhood related to food and body image, and has lost (and re-gained) weight several times, I'm still mulling it over.

Reason for edit: Changed to EK link -EBeditor

[Soprano-Cat]

I think she's done the right thing by her daughter in terms of helping her lose weight.

I'm not sure about her methods. It seems like an awful lot of mental pressure on a young child.

It's hard enough on adults.

[Charlies Angel]

My initial response was that she was setting her daughter up for a lifetime of eating disorders.

I think similar could have been achieved without being so draconian eg more exercise/ healthy eating for the whole family. She was only seven.

[Charlies Angel]

DP

This post has been edited by Charlies Angel: 26/01/2013, 10:07 PM

[Flibbertigibbert...]

I only read the first couple of paragraphs but way to give the kid issues over her food.
The mother said she had been on enough diets to know what was required, IMO the more diets it takes the less idea one really has. So me thinks she has got weight issues which she is passing on which is sad.

[Flibbertigibbert...]

DP

This post has been edited by unicorn: 26/01/2013, 10:11 PM

[FluffyOscar]

There are some issues that kids are just born with. I didn't make Bea obese. I don't blame sugary drinks, processed foods, trans fats or gargantuan portion sizes. She didn't become overweight because she gorged on junk food or played video games all day. She was simply and indisputably born with the unfortunate tendency to overeat and a congenital preference for foods that are conducive to weight gain.

I think she is in denial.

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

I honestly have no idea what to think.

One part of me sort of agrees with her - obesity is a medical condition that need management; just like a peanut allergy.

The other part of me is horrified. And I admit part of it comes from the photos and the fact the article appeared in U.S.A Vogue. It gave me the impression the mother is concerned with 'appearances' and perhaps a daughter who is obese doesn't match her Chanel handbag.

I passionately oppose diets though, so I think her approach was all wrong. I have a similar aged child, and if he was obese, I'm quite sure I could implement changes in his diet and lifestyle that he wouldn't be aware of. The fact this little girl knew she was on a diet to lose weight is concerning.

[rosiebird]

I feel very sad after reading that article.

[cardamom]

The other part of me is horrified. And I admit part of it comes from the photos and the fact the article appeared in U.S.A Vogue. It gave me the impression the mother is concerned with 'appearances' and perhaps a daughter who is obese doesn't match her Chanel handbag.

I thought this too Madame Protart, particularly where she mentioned asking her daughter "Do you like the way you look now?" I felt like the emphasis was largely on her daughter's looks (but I acknowledge my experiences could be colouring this).

I was overweight as a child, and rather than make leading a healthy lifestyle a family-based activity, my parents' approach (actually, my whole family) was to criticise me for eating too much, point out how large I was, and tell me to get outside for a walk (they bought me a gym membership when I was 10) while still having cupboards full of junk food. Consequently I have a lot of feelings of guilt around food, have very disordered eating patterns and have spent a great deal of time, money and energy trying to remedy this.

I'm not trying to blame my parents or shirk responsibility for my weight, they did what they thought was best, but I wonder if I would have these issues had their attitude been different.