Concerns Regarding 4 1/2 Year Olds Weight. Seeking Other's Experiences.

My question to you would be how does your doctor feel about your daughter? Does the doctor feel she is healthy? Does the doctor feel she is progressing well. My son (5 1/2) was always top of the charts until recently and he is quite healthy. The doctor mentioned as long as the numbers on the chart didn't go to one extreme or the other he wasn't overly concerned. Basically, I think he felt that as long as height kept going up, then the weight would even out for the most part. He also said as along as we were not feeding him too much of the wrong foods that he would be fine. The doctor recommended to keep our son active and moving. We have and my son is doing quite well. Not overweight and not underweight. Just perfect as the doctor always states at our yearly appointments. Variety of nutritional foods, proteins, and healthy carbs are what we have always strived for.

After speaking with my son's doctor I learned that the BMI index really isn't the best measure for children. It has been a while since I spoke to him so I can't really remember the reason. I trust my son's doctor though. We've used him since his birth. :-)
In a nut shell I'd talk to your pedictrician and get their opinion. :-)

Note: I'd also be careful with the healthy snack. Some of the snacks they claim are healthy, are actually not the best choices. I spoke to a nutritionist about my son last year and my eyes were open to a lot. For example, too much fruit can cause the sugar levels to rise. She recommended giving a protein with the fruit. Use healthy carbs... wheat products over non-wheat etc... Another thing I learned was that if you go to McDonalds the hamburger is actually a better choice over McNuggets. I found this interesting. It has something to do with the way they are prepared, I think. She stated to cut back on juices or to add water to juices. Things like that.... You may want to seek the advice of a nutritionist. I think our visit cost me $75, but in the end I learned so much from her.

BMI calculators are typically for adults. When pediatricians look at children, they use percentiles and averages. If her height and weight are proportionate (both in 90th percentile), she's fine.
Even still, you can't really gauge whether a 4 yr old is "overweight." First of all, you need to look at how you and your spouse are built, and consider both of your growth patterns as children. Her body has a ton of changes to go through still. Some kids "stretch out" after their preschool years -- keep growing taller while not gaining much weight. Others might wait and go through major body composition changes during adolescence.
You're doing good to pay attention to nutrition now though. Your whole family will benefit from more whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, less hydrogenated oil, less sugar/high fructose corn syrup, etc. Your careful choices will be ingrained in her and make a difference in what she chooses for herself later.

It's been tough at times, but after years of nutritional "programming" my 4 1/2 yr old actually chooses Kashi brand "Autumn Wheat" cereal as her "Fun Friday" treat (I'm still perplexed at why she passes over the pink Barbie stuff when given free run of the cereal isle, but I'll take it!), and she asks for "the bread with the oats in it" when we're making sandwiches (we usually get Archer Farms multi-grain loaf at Target).

J.,
I don't know about the BMI for kids, but my daughter was always in the 90th percentile and just a little chubbier than her sister, and now she's 14 and overweight. The doctors never said anything, and I should have done like you and started on the healthy snacks etc way back then. Now it's very hard with a teen.

Hi J.!! I think it is great that you are concerned. Too many parents look the other way, and that is why we have such a problem in America with overweight children.
First, there may not be any issue at all though. I would first talk with your pediatrician. Tell them of any family history of weight issues that you may have. Next, I would talk to a nutritionist. They really are the best to talk to about weight issues. Here is one that I have used several times for my son who is 9.
Roger Adams
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Good luck, and trust your instincts!! You are her mom, and know best! I would also urge you to research Healthy snacks through the web. There have alot of great ideas!!