OK, those of you who know me know I can be a bit of a neurotic, so, bear with me. My DD had her five year old dr. appointment today. She's in the 99th percentile for height and weight, which, of course, the doctor did the "tsk tsk" to my husband!!!! And, I'm kind of upset by this. Yes, she's five... she's also 47" tall... and 65 lbs!!!! You've all seen pictures of my DD, she's not (in my view, but I'm her mother and I'm warped) overweight. She NEVER eats sweets! Her treats are milk and cookies (oreos only) four or five nights a week and maybe an occasional Hoodsie! She doesn't eat any kind of candy, chocolate, ice cream, pudding, cake.... NOTHING!!! She has a decent appetite. Sometimes, I can't get her to eat anything, other times (if she likes something) I have to say "that's enough, go wash up!"

I'm just really upset that the dr. poo-pooed her like that. Sometimes, I think they just look and see her age and weight and immediately say, "stop the sweets" and don't take into consideration how tall she is! And, frankly, with her lack of sweet eating, I wouldn't know what to cut out of her diet if I had to. She already drinks 1% milk. When and if she drinks soda, it's diet because that's all that we keep in the house, and if she asks for it, I try to give her seltzer water instead.

I'm just frustrated! I'm her mother and I think she's perfect and I get upset when someone, a doctor, deems her "perfectly healthy but big"!

By Tarable on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 04:51 pm:

I hate those percentiles too. When mine were little they were 99 in both but as they got older (3+) they thinned out and now they are 99 in height and below 25 in weight. I get a lecture about it every time we go to the doctor.

Your DD is beautiful and I don't consider her over weight at all.

(((HUGS)))

By Debbie on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 04:55 pm:

Well, I'm suprised your doctor said anything. She sounds okay to me. My ds is in the 100% for weight and height. He is almost 7, is 51 inches tall and 64 lbs. So, he is pretty close to your dd. We just went to his GI doctor a few days a go, and she said he was just right. He is just a big boy(as in tall). If she is even with both, I don't see the problem. She weighs more then most, be she is also taller then most. Really, as long as she is eating healthy, and is active, I wouldn't worry about it.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 05:26 pm:

I agree with Debbie! I think she just looks good and healthy! She may weigh more, but she's also taller than most kids!

By Kate on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 05:44 pm:

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/bmicalculator.html

Why don't you plot her on the body mass index above. That is really the only worthwhile 'percentile' chart there is. A 'weight for height' chart is okay, too, but I can't find one of those. But your average height only and weight only charts are meaningless.

The above link is easy to follow, just keep clicking on the calculate body mass index bar and it will ask you her specific age, specific height and weight and tell you meaningful information.

By Rayelle on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 05:44 pm:

Something similar happened with my daughter. The dr. told me she was 1 or 2 lbs overweight so I should cut back on sweets, soda and tv. I said "well, she doesn't like soda except for the occassional diet orange, doesn't care for most sweets and is too busy running around and playing to watch much tv. You really should be more open minded. She is about due for a growth spurt and then I'm sure it will even out." He apologized and said I was probably right becasue moms know their kids best. I think it's the whole obesity epidemic and now they're trying to catch it at any sign they can find. I think they need to still be careful though, last I checked there are still eating disorders and self-esteem issues out there. My kids wear slim size pants. I think your daughter sounds perfectly healthy.

By Tripletmom on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 09:11 am:

My dd has always weighed heavy.She's a solid girl with a big frame.She has always weighed heavier than other kids her age.It doesn't matter what activities she does she'll never be a slimster.My doctor commented on size at her last appointment and I got a little defensive.My dd eats well and is very active so there's not much more I can do that won't put ideas in her head that she's fat.She is always going to be the type that will have to watch her weight(daddy side)I just tell her how beautiful she is and keep her self-esteen high and as long as she likes her self, others will too,regardless of her size.Its too bad we live in such a image controlled world.

By Angellew on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 10:21 am:

Thank you all so much for your support. This is a pretty hard issue for me. I was a "chubby" kid and slimmed out once my period started and my teen years came. But, then, in my late 20s started gaining weight again. Weight has always been and is still an issue for me. BUT, I have been so cautious and careful about the way I talk about myself and dieting around my DD. We have always told her she's beautiful and tried to get her self-esteem high, as well as consideration for others. I never wanted her to be judgmental of herself or others.

So, hearing this really hit me hard. I really got lucky with a child that doesn't eat any kind of junk food, and believe me, it's not from my lack of trying {blushing}!! We buy a birthday cake for her parties every year and she's the only one who doesn't eat it! LOL! But, I felt the same as Rayelle... she already eats well, and is extremely active, and will only get more active now that the weather is getting better (we call it the Boston Butt, cause everyone gets a bigger butt in the winter)! What can I possibly change for her??

Thanks for letting me vent and for all your support! I really needed it yesterday (and today!)

By Unschoolmom on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 01:35 pm:

Angellew - Something some doctors fail to get sometimes is that those percentiles describe the range of NORMAL weight or height. In other words, your daughter is within the normal range, simply at the high end of it. Your doctor was way out of line and needs to be sat down and have this explained to him slowly with no big words.

I've heard of parents getting flack from their doctors about this before and I have to wonder if the doctors slept through the relevant classes at Med school.

By Tripletmom on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 01:50 pm:

" What can I possibly change for her??"

NOTHING!!! She's beautiful and she eats right and she's healthy and is active.Ditto, Unschoolmom- the doctor was wrong to say this and so was mine.{{{BIG HUGS}}}

By Dawnk777 on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 11:26 am:

Ditto what Dawn(Unschoolmom) said!

By Pamt on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 11:28 am:

BMI (body mass index) is way more important than actual height and weight measurements. Just google a BMI calculator for children, plug in her age and measurements and that will give you the real information you need.

By Nicki on Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 12:55 pm:

Angela, I just looked at the pictures of your dd. She is beautiful! She looks just right.
And, I too ditto Unschoolmom!:-)