I’m lost. I hate to join the bandwagon on childhood obesity but It’s crazy. The sad thing is I don’t know what to do about. It. Weight loss is something you have to do for yourself. I can’t make you do it. You have to want to do it or in my case you have to want to make your child do it. I had a 278 lb 12 y/o female today. Mom told me they eat healthy and have dieted but she gained 18 pounds in the past year. I will check labs but I know that only accounts for a few of those pounds not the 100 plus she needs to lose. I am met with excuses constantly. Just today alone. “I can’t make them eat healthy”, “I have a day care and that means I have a lot of bag snacks around”, “I have too much homework”. “I told them they eat too much” this is from the parent easily weighing 300 pounds. I can offer classes, web sites, a personal health coach nutrition consult but I can’t be the angel on your shoulder telling you how to raise your kid or what to eat for every meal. I’m trying to lead by example. I have pictures of me exercising with my child in my exam room. I know my weight is a problem and I know why. It’s a constant battle I acknowledge. I admit its not easy but we have to be willing to at least start. I just want my patients and parents to realize its something they need to really work on. The future depends on it. Ok I’m done griping.
I’m Lost!
October 11, 2011
drkaylosesweight 
Comments on: "I’m Lost!" (4)
Being an adult with your own weight issues and then trying to get your child to improve their health is doubly hard. How can we expect a parent who hasn’t yet learned their own lessons to be able to make their kids be healthier? Obviously, they are not equipped and I don’t think education is the issue. EVERYONE knows how to lose weight, but they just can’t stick to it or make it sustainable. Asking them to do it for their child without them making changes in themselves to improve their health as well is like asking a one handed person to clap…. no matter how important it is for that child’s welfare.
People just need the light bulb to go off and when they can get themselves under control, their ability to lead by example and force good change with their children will follow.
I know it is frustrating because you want nothing more but for them to change and help their children, but unfortunately you can talk until you’re blue in the face and shove all the statistics and informational pamphlets at them you want, but some people just won’t take responsibility and will always have nothing but excuses.
It becomes a situation where you know you’ve done all you could and that you must let go to let them succeed or fail on their own AS THEY CHOSE…. and let go/not stress yourself over it. You’ve done all you can and it’s out of your hands now… accept the things we cannot change.
…and breathe…. deeply. 🙂
damn… I hate people that write “chose” instead of “choose” and I just did…. grr… sorry! That’s right up there in my book with people writing “loose” (as in weight) instead of “lose”…
I feel ya, doc. Some days I have 5 or 6 conversations like this with parents. The most painful ones are of course when the kid’s parents are obese too, though I have the small advantage in that I’m probably their doctor as well. That often means we both know exactly what sort of health problems their kid is heading for since I just diagnosed their pre-diabetes or high blood pressure.
The only thing I know to work is gently, continuous pressure. Keep applying yours!
It’s hard some days are just frustrating;)