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A mother of a five-year-old little girl has admitted to putting her daughter on a diet, saying, “it’s for her own good.”

Mum PurpleSky2 writes on popular parenting website Mumsnet the decision was made in a bid to help her daughter – who is within the healthy weight range for her current age and height – avoid suffering taunting later in life.

“I don’t want her to struggle with bullying etc and she is quite greedy,” the UK mum wrote, “She has a hearty appetite and loves food. It makes me sad to be stricter but it is for her own good.”

She is 5 next week and very tall 122cm. She weighs nearly 25kg (24.7kg on my scales). On then NHS (the UK’s National Health Service) BMI calculator that is just about fine but in some of the others she is overweight. She looks solid – no fat on body but I would like to help her drop 1kg or stay static for rest of year,” she continued.

“I’ve started watching her diet a lot more and she has started school now so not with me constantly asking for food and I think school dinners are less than the hearty meals her private nursery gave and loved to feed her seconds.”

“She does swimming lessons but no other clubs yet but when more settled at school will try dance or something. Over summer we have been out nearly every day We have to drive to school as miles away but hopefully will move in new year and walk.”

dds-diet

Many of the responses are questioning why the mum should even be concerned about her size at this age, and fear she will be creating body issues.

What do you think? Is this mum making good choices for her little girl or creating bigger issues?

Share your comments below.

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  • Don’t offer much sugary food such as cakes, biscuits, lollies and ask Grandparents to either not give any or ration the quantity as treats. There is plenty of ways of giving fruit and vegetables that look attractive to children.
    This is very important if there is a family history of diabetes or other illness.
    Children who aren’t given any sometimes steal them from other peoples’ places that they visit.

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  • I think the mother has her own issues that need to be dealth with

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  • Don’t agree with this mother at all. At five years old more outside play is required rather than a diet. What a life this poor child is going to live forever!

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  • Healthy eating is one thing but extreme dieting is another issue altogether.

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  • No matter what size or age your kid is they should eat as healthy as possible but putting a 5 year old who is not in the obese category on a strict diet will only create an eating disorder not help avoid one. I think this is going too far.


    • Well said – childhood should be enjoyed and worrying about weight seems such a shame.

    Reply

  • I do not believe in diets and children should only be on prescribed and supervised diets for medical reasons. Developing issues with body image should be avoided, far too easy to take hold and continue later in life. A healthy attitude towards food and exercise is the way to go and not focusing on weight.

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  • I dont think a childs eating should be restricted. Fair enough dont have junk food and rubbish in the house if you dont want to but the child should have access to good food and as much as they like. its good that she is eating well. No child….even one thats over weight should be put on a dirt without medical supervision.

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  • If she is not over weight she is creating issues!

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  • Nothing wrong with a healthy diet and exercise.
    We live in a time and age that we have access to food all the time and some children want to have food all the time. The rate of kids and adults with obesity has never been higher.
    I don’t think it’s wrong to teach our kids moderation and that we don’t have to eat all the time. I don’t think it’s healthy to put a child on a weight loss diet, unless on medical advice.

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  • It’s quite a big issue in my idea. Putting a 5 years-old on a diet looks a little exaggerated to me.

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  • I think she could possibly be creating issues rather then helping her daughter. I am all for healthy eating and physical activities to make sure my children do become obese. But there is a limit.

    Reply

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