This doesn't seem right to me..

leffe1 · November 2011

My friend has a daughter who just turned 2. She weighs 29.5 lbs and is in the 93rd % tile for height.

The dr. told her her child is overweight and she needs to see a nutritionalist. Really? I just don't see it. What am I missing here. My dd turns 2 next month and is 27.5 lbs.

What are your opinions on this?

brens317 · November 2011

OMG that is crazy! DD is 20 months and weighs 30 lbs and her pedi has said nothing other than she will switch to 2% when she turns 2. And I think she's probably in the 75th% for height. I realize childhood obesity is an epidemic but I think 2 years is excessive.

BrideBuddies · November 2011

I swear some doctors are making recommendations just to keep their jobs, not DO their jobs. Some kids have to be in the 90th, just like some kids are in the 10th. Stupid doctor.

vanverth · November 2011

How tall is the child? If she is 20" tall then perhaps she needs some weight managment (or checking of her growth hormones). But if she is also in the 70% or more for height as well as weight, that doctor needs to step back, shut up and check himself.

leffe1 · November 2011

Vanverth, I am not sure of the exact height but it is 30 inches or more. I am just dumbfounded by this. Of all the things we need to worry about, why worry about something that isn't even an issue???

stever · November 2011

Did she actually say her daughter's height, or just that she was 93rd?

I'm just playing devil's advocate, but if her LO is 29.5 pounds and NOT 93rd percentile then, perhaps, she's a tad on the heavy side.

Like I said, I'm playing devil's advocate.

And FTR, DS was 28 pounds and 35 inches at 2 and he was 75th percentile for both, but he was always a chunkster when he was younger.

stever · November 2011

leffe1:
Vanverth, I am not sure of the exact height but it is 30 inches or more. I am just dumbfounded by this. Of all the things we need to worry about, why worry about something that isn't even an issue???

31, 32 or 33 inches and 30 pounds is getting heavy.

LauraLynneC · November 2011

He suggested a nutritionist, not child protective services. I can see how the mom would be offended BUT, playing devil's advocate, perhaps she doesn't know a lot about nutrition (or maybe her pedi has an overwhelming number of patients with parents who are very nutitionally uninformed).

As a country, the majority of the population is not well informed nutritionally. Obesity is an epidemic and while the pedi can't tackle it single handedly, he may feel like he's in position to help educate as many people as he has patients. I would hope that he's suggesting a nutritionist for all his patients - "normal weight" doesn't always equal healthy eating.

He may also be mandated to make the nutritional recommendation based on a height/weight ratio factor that we're not aware of (simliar to an adult BMI).

Education is never a bad thing and if that mom can see it that way, I think it would be a win-win for everyone.

(I'm sure that's the most unpopular opinion you've read all day...)

newbee36 · November 2011

LauraLynneC:
He suggested a nutritionist, not child protective services. I can see how the mom would be offended BUT, playing devil's advocate, perhaps she doesn't know a lot about nutrition (or maybe her pedi has an overwhelming number of patients with parents who are very nutitionally uninformed).

As a country, the majority of the population is not well informed nutritionally. Obesity is an epidemic and while the pedi can't tackle it single handedly, he may feel like he's in position to help educate as many people as he has patients. I would hope that he's suggesting a nutritionist for all his patients - "normal weight" doesn't always equal healthy eating.

He may also be mandated to make the nutritional recommendation based on a height/weight ratio factor that we're not aware of (simliar to an adult BMI).

Education is never a bad thing and if that mom can see it that way, I think it would be a win-win for everyone.

(I'm sure that's the most unpopular opinion you've read all day...)

If so, in my opinion he should very well explain that to the mother of the child rather then freak her out. Otherwise I agree 100% that education is not a bad thing.

leffe1 · November 2011

LauraLynneC:

He suggested a nutritionist, not child protective services. I can see how the mom would be offended BUT, playing devil's advocate, perhaps she doesn't know a lot about nutrition (or maybe her pedi has an overwhelming number of patients with parents who are very nutitionally uninformed).

As a country, the majority of the population is not well informed nutritionally. Obesity is an epidemic and while the pedi can't tackle it single handedly, he may feel like he's in position to help educate as many people as he has patients. I would hope that he's suggesting a nutritionist for all his patients - "normal weight" doesn't always equal healthy eating.

He may also be mandated to make the nutritional recommendation based on a height/weight ratio factor that we're not aware of (simliar to an adult BMI).

Education is never a bad thing and if that mom can see it that way, I think it would be a win-win for everyone.

(I'm sure that's the most unpopular opinion you've read all day...)

Yes it wasn't child protective services, but if that was your kid you may react a tad different. Education is key and she is making some adjustments without meeting with a nutritionalist. I just think it was a bit exterme imo.

Strunella · November 2011

I don't know...DS is about 31" and 25ish pounds, and he's only 11 months! He doesn't look overweight to me...but he does have some chunky thighs and a little buddha belly. The pedi hasn't said anything to me about his weight. I guess it's up to your friend to decide her plan of action...if she's making modifications in her daughter's diet, maybe that will do the trick.

stever · November 2011

Strunella:
I don't know...DS is about 31" and 25ish pounds, and he's only 11 months! He doesn't look overweight to me...but he does have some chunky thighs and a little buddha belly. The pedi hasn't said anything to me about his weight. I guess it's up to your friend to decide her plan of action...if she's making modifications in her daughter's diet, maybe that will do the trick.

Kids slow down a ton between 1 and 2. DS was 32 inches and 26 pounds at 1, 35 inches and 28 pounds at 2. He went from 95th percentile as an infant to 75th as a 2 yo.

robynlesley · November 2011

That makes NO sense to me at all. DS was 30.2 lb at 2 (80th percentile for weight) and 36 inches (90th for height). I'm pretty sure that girls' have a lower weight for the curve but even so, it seems odd.

Was she always tracking high for weight? If she's following her own growth curve, then I'd think it was fine.

Piranha54 · November 2011

outrageous. For the pedi to make a rec to a nutritionist, even if he/she has concerns (which would also be outrageous) means that is one lazy pedi, IMO. DD just had her 2 year visit today. She is 14 kg and 88 cm (so just under 32 lb and 34 inches). SHe is 90th percentile overall. We will switch to skim milk now - but that is all about the fat kiddos need until they are two for proper neuro development. And my pedi - who is a good friend - did joke with DH about the fact this DD is not going to melt away should she miss a meal, but said it's much easier to go into the next few years with a good eater who may show some independence than a poor eater who will just tend to limit themselves even more.

If the pedi had concerns they needed to talk with the family about food choices etc. Plus, while I understand the worry about obesity in this country, I don't think the AAP has recs until the age of 4. Ugh.

UpNorthGal · December 2011

My gut reaction after reading this was "that is ridiculous!". But I thought a bit more about it and wondered if maybe there were other factors in play here. Did the doctor and your friend talk about what her child eats, what food she offers her child, etc? I don't know your friend, but maybe french fries and fig newtons are considered vegetables and fruits in her house and the doctor was trying to ensure she is educated about healthier options and ways to present them to her child.

ridesbuttons · December 2011

Your friend can look it up herself and determine where she sits on the charts. Keep in mind that virtually everyone is on the chart somewhere. And the difference between being in the 90th percentile and the 50th percentile when you are 2.5 feet tall is not that much.

If she's eating in a healthy, balanced way and getting adequate activity, don't worry about it. But if she is giving in to requests for snacks at night or extra treats to keep the peace, then maybe she should rethink some things.

ETA: meeting with a nutritionist is the very definition of getting educated.

leffe1 · December 2011

Thanks for all opinions. I forgot to add that I think her 6 year old son is on the chunky side a bit. I know the Dr. examined both of them the same day. She does feed her kids unhealthy snacks and juice. I have the same Dr. so I am anxious to see how Gracie fares this month for her appt.

LauraLynneC · December 2011

coming back to add - as parents we all feel a little insecure about our parenting in some aspect or another. So having a 'professional' make recommendations can feel very personal. I can understand feeling frustrated at the pedi's suggestion and I hope that if I'm in her shoes someday (in one regard or another) I can be open to advice.

surprise3rd · December 2011

Similar situation happened to a friend of mine with her 3yo. The dr. said according to his bmi he was obese. You can see this childs ribs, in a healthly way, there is very very little pudge on him. She called the Dr. on it and said, look at him, does he look obese to you. He agreed that he did not look obese..."but the chart says" sometimes I think Docs forget to use thier naturally given skills of observation and rely too heavily on charts created by big business so they don't have to make mental judgements. I would tell her not to worry and to continue parenting as she has been.

Katieh6 · December 2011

My cousins kids were all chunky at that age. They all weighted. About 32 pounds and were pretty tall and dr was never concerned. They are all now skinny kids with awesome appetites. Babies are suppose to be a little chunky! My Olmert whose three and super super tall has always been very thin and eats ton and my baby is average Maybe a tiny bit slim. I was actuaally kinnd of bummed I expected chunky babies! Childhood obesity is from lack of exercise and junk food. It's not from being a chunky baby.

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