She is almost 14. She is about 5 foot 6 inches. And when she weighed herself she told me that she weighs about 177 pounds or 180 because we don't have a digital scale so it is rather hard to tell at times. Is this overweight for how tall she is and how old she is? She doesn't look like she is overweight but then she isn't very active at times. Most of the kids in her 7th grade class weigh about 110 or 120. But she's up there at 180. Is that too heavy? If it is should she lose weight or just keep it like that. I dont' thinks she will want to lose weight. It would be embarassing for her to be on a diet. She has a bit of a stomach. I think about a 40 inches if you measure all around the belly button area. Do you know if she is overweight or not? She eats ok. We tried weighing her after meals. In the morning it is 178. At night it is 184. I know it differs after meals. I just would like to know if she is overweight or not. thank you if anyone can answer my question.

Yes, she is overweight. If a child is above the 85th percentile of people their age they're considered overweight. She's between the 90th and 95th percentile, meaning that she weighs more than 90-95% of children her age and size.

It's best to teach good eating, excercise and food choice habits as young as you can so that they can be carried out for a lifetime.

She is? She weighs more than 95% of kids her age? I didn't know this. What percentile should she be at? And how many pounds overweight is she? Is it by many pounds or just a few pounds?

Being 5'6", she is overweight for weighing 177+ pounds. Diets don't work. Usually when someone diets, they loose weight, only to gain it back plus more. She needs a life style change. Don't let her drink sodas, only water and lots of it. Cut back on carbs and have her eat lots of fruits and veggies. Get rid of processed foods, and chips, etc. Make everything from scratch (no can foods, frozen, or fast foods)....and she will loose weight and be healthy. If she already eats healthy foods and not a whole lot, get her thyroid checked....it's a very common problem that interfears with your metalbolism. And don't feel she would be embarrassed if you but her on a diet...her self-esteam will be lowered if she contiues to grow larger and a child should not feel embarrassed at all if the parent tells them they need to loose weight. My mom put me on a diet when I was a teen because I got up to 120 (I'm 5'4" and small boned)..I didn't feel embarrassed at all. She didn't make a big deal about it...she just shopped for healthy snacks, and low cal. dinner foods and told me the we can all stand to loose 5 pounds....I didn't take offense at all.

I work a lot so she has a lot of frozen meals and fast food. She doesn't drink much soda. I'm not sure of how to go about this. How many pounds overweight is she though? I need an idea of that. i asked her and she doesn't think that she is overweight

http://www.aomc.org/HOD2/general/weight-HEIGHT_W.html
this link has a height and weight chart

If she doesn't think she's overweight, it will be hard for her to lose anything as it's up to her to do the hardest part, which is stick to a diet. Maybe a visit to the doctor would be in order. A doctor telling her would be much better than her mother at her age because mothers don't know anything http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif Also it takes you out of the hot seat as the one who's "making" her diet. A doctor can also give you an idea of a goal weight for her and steer you in the direction of a good dietician. Roughly she should weigh under 140, so she needs to lose about 40 pounds.

40 pounds is a lot. I don't know if i want to take her to a doctor, then she'll be mad at me for this. But then she would see she's overweight. But 40 pounds is a lot of weight to lost isn't it? Does she have to lose that much weight?

You mentioned you work a lot and she gets a lot of frozen food and fast food. You need to turn those things around and pick up one of the newer cookbooks for crock pots and start using it. I work PM shift (only part time though) but even when I am working my family has a hot home cooked meal to come home to. The only time I don't leave them one is on the weekends because that is "dad's" time to decide on what to have for supper. If she hasn't had her yearly physical or isn't do for it soon then by all means take her in to the doc for her annual physical and get her checked out and discuss your concerns for her weight with the doctor. The doctor may recommend she see a registered dietician to help with meal and snack planning as well helping her to develope healthy eating habits. The doc will also let you know just how much if any weight they feel she should loose and also check for any medical problems that could be causing her excess weight. I am surprised though that the doc didn't mention anything at her last years physical or is this a rather sudden increase in weight. Get the slow cooker out and make the doc appointment for starters. With both of us working, plus running a home business as well as my husband going to night school to earn a degree I can full well understand being busy but I also know that a crock put can be your best friend. Good Luck.

I havn't really felt the need to have her in for a check up or a physical for a while now. Probably a few years. I guess i should bring her in. I don't know how much she weighs ever. i just found out she weighs this much because she was in my room when she weighed herself and i saw. That's when i asked her if she thinks that's a little heavy and she just shrugged and said nope. I think i might start weighing her weekly and keeping track to see if she gains any or loses any. If she gains more than loses than i'll take her to the doctor.

I just had her try a dress on i bought her. (size 16) and the top part is lose. The stomach area is tight. And the bottom is lose. Is that bad?

No one here can really tell you the exact weight your daugher should be. This is something that should be determined by a doctor. Since you both don't have much of an idea of what to do about this, guidance in the form of a professional is probably your best bet. A professional will take everything into consideration. Good luck.

id tread very carefully or she could end up self concious or worse still end up with an eating disorder http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/bang.gif if its a problem to herself then suggest the cutting down of the wrong foods. dont pressurise her good luck http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

Do you think i really need to make a doctors appointment? Because i mean she probably is overweight since you said she weighs more than 95% of the kids of her age. But i haven't had her in for a check up or anything for a long time and i don't know if i really need to now. Should i?

Bring her in for a check-up, she's probably overdue for one. And, at her age, there are a lot of different things going on in her body and in her life.

If you do decide to change her eating habits, go slow and for keeps. And, to help her succeed, do this for your entire family. Only the family members who are overweight will lose weight; the others will just eat better. Unless the doctor finds a specific problem contributing to her weight [gain], this is usually the best way to succeed - for life.

Physical activity / exercise is part of this - walking, cycling, swimming and sports should be encouraged. Maybe you can both join the Y, go for walks, etc.

There are many health problems that occur either because of or along with being overweight: Type II diabetes, osteoarthritis, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, even some asthma problems. This is why the Health Dept. and Medical Associations are making such a big deal about it.

We had the opposite problem - our child was at the 3rd/4th percentile and desperately needed to gain healthy weight. Slow and steady worked best because it was the easiest and healthiest on our child's system.

Good luck,
Jay

I guess i should bring her in. i might. I'm not sure yet.

Your daughter should have a yearly physical and you mentioned she had not had one in a few years. That alone is reason enough to make a docs appointment. You are talking about your daughters health here so make that appointment for her yearly physical now. It is far easier to catch and treat any problems now than to let things go and then try to treat them. Children who are heavier are much more prone to things like diabetes so the earlier things are caught the sooner things can be corrected or brought under control. Good Luck.

Just because a child is in the upper 85th percentile does not necessarily mean that they are overweight. My son has always been in the 95th to 98th percentile in height and weight for his age and he is far from overweight, he is just a big boy. I just wanted to clarify that.

Mother...I do think that 5'6" and 180 pounds is overweight. She sounds like she has a good self-image, which is very important, I wouldn't want to do anything to destroy that. I think you do need to take her to a doctor to make sure there isn't anything medically wrong with her. Please make her an appointment as soon as possible, especially since it has been a while.

I probably will make an appointment. Because now almost everyone is saying she is. I didn't think she was. But i guess she is. i should bring her in. I'll ask her about it again and see if she'll go in for an appointment.

At almost 14 you are still responsible for your daughters health needs so make the appointment and let her know that you are making the appointment for a routine physical that should be done yearly. I am not saying she should not have any say in the matter but at 14 you need to be the one that helps keep her health in check by scheduling her routine appointments. She should see that a routine physical is just that...............routine. This way she will develope the habit of a routine yearly pap/pelvic exam when she turns 18. Good health habits start young and right now it is still up to you to get her into the routine of good habits. Good Luck.

Mother,
I agree with the other poster. I work too, as does my husband, but I make sure my children eat healthy. I am not trying to be mean or judgmental, but it is unacceptable to leave your daughter to eat frozen meals and fast food because you work a lot. Start keeping healthy food in your fridge (ie cut up fruit, veggies, etc.) that are accessible to her. Make home cooked meals and freeze them on your days off, or use the crock pot. I think parents are directly responsible for their children's nutrition. Obviously you can not control everything she puts in her mouth but you can have a big say in what she eats when she is home with you. The first step is to cut out fast food entirely. And the second is to cook for her and encourage exercise by doing things with her. Is she eating because she is depressed and lonely because you work all of the time? Remember if she is overweight as a child, she has a strong chance of being obese as an adult. Try to change that now while you still have some control over it. Good Luck.
Dawn

When I was 14 years old, I was 5'6" and weighed 120 pounds. I was not skinny and not overweight. I am also small boned. If she is 5'6" and weighs around 170, I would definetly think she is overweight. And it gets harder to lose and maintain your weight the older you get. Help her cut down on her calorie intake at night and drinks LOTS of water. Also at 14, she is probably physically active but walking with her every day wouldn't hurt, and it would be a nice time for the both of you. I would take her to a doctor if you are really concerned.

Hi! This is a serious situation. She is headed down a road that will lead to diabetes and juevinille diabetes is at epidemic proportions right now. Not to mention heart disease and high blood pressure. Taking into consideration her weight and height, her BMI (Body Mass Index) is above 27 so she is in a very unhealthy range. You definitely need to take her to a doctor. This is no time to be gentle. She needs to improve her eating habits and you need to be the one to help her and give her motivation and be a good role model. I talk seriously about this matter becasue today's youth is so in danger. More than 60% of Americans are overweight. I mean no offense or disrespect. I just really think it is time to take action and your daughter needs a dose of reality. Weight in this much excess WILL lead to complications. Please take her to a doctor and they can explain to her the serious risk she is at. She needs to be told that not only is she overweight, but she is obese. I do not mean to be cruel, but please act on this before something happens. I wish you all health and happiness!