obesity

[Guest guest]

> There are lots of veggies in the house and low calorie frozen entrees.

> If it isn't in the fridge or cabinets, you don't need locks. OK, the

> same rules hold for everyone in the household. Is that a problem?

>

At our house that would be a problem. This is a value statement - but in

our house, we do enjoy our occasional treats. Oh gosh, I have to have my

chocolate - even while on the WW program (which allows it!). Buying a box

of Little Debbies that my older son loves once in a blue moon is something I

am not going to stop doing. So locks will have to do.

Even though we have fresh fruits and veggies here, will eat them all

in one sitting.

If my mindset has changed at all in the past few months, it's been the

concern about processed foods. We live in a hurried society and those lean

cuisines and stuff are processed foods. I'm trying to get away from boxed

and canned foods as much as possible. Yes, I eat Lean Cuisines a few times

a week, but I know I'm really putting junk into my body.

What I am doing to help curb things around here is shop more frequently

instead of loading up on 2 weeks worth of groceries at a time. It's helped

alot.

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[Guest guest]

I agree Cheryl and know that diet and excercise is not the answer for all. I

have a 25 year old daughter who does not have DS. When I tell you that she

does it ALL right, I am not kidding you. She is a vegetarian, eats the right

portions and excercises, does not snack.She has an iron willpower, I could not

do it as well as she does and I excercise and try to eat right. STILL she is

a big boned girl and will ALWAYS be big. Genetically there are big people on

both sides of her family and no matter WHAT she does she will never be thin

or tiny. I think it is misleading to tell people that it can be changed (be it

for our kids with DS or not) through diet and excercise all the time.

Sometimes you have to realize that you are who God made you to be and accept

yourself. It is no wonder that this country is full of anorexics and bullemics.

Thank the Lord my daughter is secure in who she is because the only other thing

she could do lose weight is to starve herself. I think for parents to hear

that diet and excercise is always goiing to fit the bill (not that I don't think

a healthy diet and excercise is called for,for everyone, I do and i follow

it), is very misleading. I still say that God makes you who you are and you

work within that range to be the healthiest you, you can be. Let's not forget

that we are not all created thin. On a funny side note. I was at a party

recently and someone said they hoped that when they got to heaven and the new

bodies were given out, she would get a sixe six body. I said " Well wouldn't it

be

funny if we all get to heaven and God gives us all big, beautiful,abundant

bodies. The joke would be on all of us wouldn't it! " Just my opinion.

Loree

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/21/2004 11:09:08 AM Central Daylight Time,

karriemom@... writes:

> Does anyone have any suggestions on how to increase her variety? How can I

> get her to eat healthy? I really do try to follow a good diet. Am I just

> caving in with her? I feel so helpless and clueless here!

>

>

I have the exact same issues with Micah, Sue and feel the same way you do. I

am lucky, in that right now Micah is very slender. Probably to much so, but

I as well as his dad feel helpless also as we try to get him to try new foods.

I have had three therapists with oral motor issues work with him to no

avail. They are the EXPERTS and still don't have a clue how to help him so I

know exactly where you are at and it is extremely frustrating.

Loree

[Guest guest]

I am trying to reply to 2 emails at once, Rick's and 's. I also worked

night shift last night, and am replying before I sleep, so I am also hoping I am

making sense.

Rick, I definitely agree that if it isn't in the house, it won't get eaten. We

did have a problem a couple of years ago where would help herself to

snacks, chips, etc.. She hasn't done that in the last 2 years, and is very good

about asking for snacks. When she is told what the snack of the day is, which

is usually some raw veggies with low fat dressing to dip, or fruit with/without

fat free vanilla yogurt, or sometimes sugar free jello, or ff, sf pudding, she

often changes her mind and goes without a snack if she can't have what she

wants. Fine with me, she is making the decision on her own, and she sticks with

it the vast majority of the time.

I also do what does, and make more frequent, shorter trips to the grocery

store. I will buy cookies, but we have to agree on what type, as I will only

buy one bag of cookies, and that is what we have until it is gone. We also read

the label everytime we get cookies out and talk about sugar, fat and serving

size. Isn't as time consuming as I actually thought it would be, the girls

often initiate the label reading themselves. If I buy ice cream, I buy only

Edy's Grand Light, (French Silk is my fav) and we definitely follow portion

size.

I have a feeling this will be a constant battle for years to come. Heck, I am

battling the weight myself, I have been overweight for over 12 years now, and

only now feel ready to tackle my weight issue. Then, with both girls, but

probably more so , I have to be careful how I address my weight loss. I

don't talk about being skinny, or hold any skinny people up as role models (such

as actresses, etc..). We simply talk about being healthy, and what that means.

Boy, who knew parenting would be so difficult?!?!?!?! Sometimes I just want to

hide my head in the sand and pretend like I don't know anything. I do admit,

there are times, depending on the situation, I pull a Scarlett and " worry about

that tomorrow " !

Sharon H.

Mom to , (12, DS) and , (9)

South Carolina

[Guest guest]

M.

 ¸...¸     ___/ /\ \___        ¸...¸     

,·´º o`·, /__/ _/\_ \__\     ,·´º o`·,

```)¨(´´´  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  ```)¨(´´´

¸,.-·²°´      ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸      `°²·-.¸

 

......for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

3:33

[Guest guest]

Yep, everyone has two number 21s, except our kids ... they have three ... so if

there is a gene that has to do with eating, satiation, hunger, cravings ....

they have an extra dose and that could be part of the problem for them. I think

it is more complex a problem for people with DS than it is for the rest of the

population.

Cheryl in VA

In a message dated 7/21/2004 2:15:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Rick Dill

<rdill@...> writes:

>Cheryl,

>

>That's an interesting observation, but according to the reports, all of

>the people in the US have a 21st chromosome.  Is that why the nation is

>overweight if I believe almost every report in the last decade.

>

>Rick

>

>Wildwards@... wrote:

>

>>In a message dated 7/20/2004 11:44:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time, " Sharon "

<huie@...> writes:

>>

>>  

>>

>>>I have said before, and I still believe, that 's brain can't interpret

the " I am full " signal from her

>>>    

>>>

>>

>>Determining if our kids have an understanding or feeling of satiation has been

the topic of discussion for many of the moms here.  We think some of the kids

have a lack of that.  Could be a gene on #21 has control of that!

>>Cheryl in VA

>>

>>

>>  

>>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I received a sarcastic email because of this post and of course I want to now

expound on my original to make sure no one else viewed it in the same manner.

I was not trying to discourage anyone from helping their kids with DS exercise

or advise them not to be more active. I was just relaying information so parents

will not be discouraged if all they do does not bring about the same results in

their kids with DS that it does for the rest of us. Muscle tone is one of the

way DS affects many people and parents should not feel guilty if their efforts

don't bring about those same effects.

I would think it is pretty obvious from the lifestyle my family follows that we

try very hard to have our daughter as active and diet conscious as possible.

Cheryl in VA

In a message dated 7/20/2004 9:18:28 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Wildwards writes:

>In a message dated 7/20/2004 2:06:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time, Rick Dill

<rdill@...> writes:

>

>>Poor muscle tone is common among our kids, but many parents think of it

>>as " just how it is " .  If you participate, you can often (not always) get

>>your child more active.  Improving muscle tone gives our kids one less

>>handicap to deal with (IMHO).

>

>Local medical specialists, of different types, have told our support group that

low tone for our children is neurologically induced, and all the exercise in the

world will not change that for them. In fact, they told us of problems with

ligaments not having the elasticity or tone they should, and what surgical

interventions are used and why they don't always work. They mainly discussed

some of the operations for hips that won't stay in joint and how as the kids

with this problem eventually stop walking because of the pain and difficulty.

 If you see people with DS who walk with an exaggerated " Wayne " type roll,

they might have the hip problem.

>Cheryl in VA

>

[Guest guest]

My biggest problem is having to not only deal with a child who is constantly

hungry (or at least saying she is) from meds, but a child who also has so

many sensory issues about food. Crunchy foods, such as raw veggies aren't

tolerated, meats are difficult because of texture, cooked veggies just plain

aren't liked.

Karrie will only eat bread, french toast sticks, McD's cheeseburger (heavens

forbid a bun with sesame seeds), fries (again Mc.D's), hot dogs, mac and

cheese and bananas.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to increase her variety? How can I

get her to eat healthy? I really do try to follow a good diet. Am I just

caving in with her? I feel so helpless and clueless here!

Sue mom to Kate 14 and Karrie 8 w/ds and other issues

..

[Guest guest]

Joan meant to send this to the whole list. I am forwarding it for her.

Sharon

Re: Obesity

> Sharon offers some sane thoughts even after night shift!

>

> The question you have to ask yourself about *any* situation is how

> will you teach your child what it is you *want* him to do?

>

> At certain developmental stages, creating environmental barriers is

> the only way to set up total control, it's true. But if your child

> is able to work for a token system or reward system, then he's at a

> place where he can be introduced to the concept of " sometimes " foods

> or planning meals and snacks.

>

> In the literature about postive behavior supports, there is a lot of

> talk about involving the person in the plan so they will buy into

> it. I firmly believe that works when it comes to food Does it reduce

> intake? Not always, and certainly not at first, but being a stake

> holder in " the plan " reduces food battles, sneaking foods, and some

> other behaviors.

>

> Sharon is doing this when she involves her daughter in choosing what

> snacks will be available for the week.

>

> In America, we tend to believe that meals happen willy nilly. That

> we don't need to plan. I was no exception. AT one point I finally

> caved and began writing *menus* for our lunches and dinners. When I

> did, two things happened. I lost weight and we spent less on food.

>

> I'm very resistent to structure, so writing menus was not something

> I wanted to concede would be helpfu, but it is. We still do it.

>

> Menu and snack planning is what I spend the most time teaching teens

> and adults with Down syndrome. The portion control comes over time

> as they begin to realize what a " meal " is and what happens if you

> make a recipe for TWO people. It's important for those recipes to

> serve an appropriately small number of people to teach this.

>

> Anyway.

>

> My point is two-fold.

> First you have to identify the problem. If it is satiety, then how

> will you teach satiety? If it is learning to feel hunger again

> (something many people go weeks without feeling--regardless of Down

> syndrome), how will you do that? If it is learning to understand

> impulse eating, what is the plan? But look at it as a learning

> experience for you and your child rather than a problem to control.

>

> SEcond, once you identify the problem, look for a PROactive

> solution. It usually gets messier before it gets better--just like

> hitting, spitting, scratching, etc. Problem eating behaviors are

> usually behaviors. Medicaitons impact behaviors and satiety. There

> is NO DOUBT about that.

>

> Last...

> It IS NOT EASY. This isn't a simple issue of understanding

> intake/output and working in exercise. It's a SKILL just like

> Reading and math. IT takes deliberate thought, planning, and

> strategic teaching. But it can and should be done. For those of us

> in the US, it is long overdue.

>

> Joan Medlen, RD

> Andy's (15--ds/autism) and 's (18 and off to college) Mom

>

[Guest guest]

> Sometimes you have to realize that you are who God made you to be and

accept

> yourself. It is no wonder that this country is full of anorexics and

bullemics.

I agree 100%. I feel badly for those children (young and old) whose parents

harp about their weight. There is something called a set point regarding

weight. I know I'll never be at 105 again (that is after 3 children but

before hitting 30) and I'm ok with that. I know what my moms set point was

(she maintained that for years!) and she was bigger boned and taller than I

am. She also gained in her thirties, but not as much as I have. I'm built

like my mom more than my dad - but I inherited his sweet tooth! When I was

5 and he was on a diet, mother took us girls to town. There, walking out of

a bakery was my father, eating donuts and my mom chewed him out...lol!

Those who have his genes for body built, have larger hips, thighs and legs -

and that includes one of my sisters.

And, despite all this talk about eating right and healthy - diet and

excercise - one of my measures of a girlfriend is someone who can take a

spoon and eat brownies straight from the oven! Sue, when you come here in

November, we'll make brownies after the kids are asleep! LOL!!!!!!!! I'll

also make sure we order an extra pizza for Karrie

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[Guest guest]

,

Then I'm sure I will be your BEST friend, since that's one of my

favorites!!!!

Sue (who has to go now...the pizza was just delivered) mom to Kate 14 and

Karrie 8 w/ds and other issues

And, despite all this talk about eating right and healthy - diet and

excercise - one of my measures of a girlfriend is someone who can take a

spoon and eat brownies straight from the oven! Sue, when you come here in

November, we'll make brownies after the kids are asleep! LOL!!!!!!!! I'll

also make sure we order an extra pizza for Karrie

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[Guest guest]

Hey,

I guess we can all buy Joan's book- The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook!

Sounds like something we can all afford to look at!

BTW, Joan, who is the publisher because I havent seen this book around.

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I watched a very interesting programme last night that I recorded.It was on Livingit and was called Extraordinary Humans-Obesity.They talked about how there are different kinds of obesity and the effect they have on our whole body,I thought fat was fat,but apparantly not! There was an Endo on there [dont know if I can say his name] and he was talking to and about a particular women who,15 years ago,for no apparant reason put on HUGE amounts of weight.This endo talked about cortisol and told this poor woman she had Cushings Syndrome,which he says either is,or can be [cant remember which,or maybe even both] caused by pituity tumours.She had the tumours removed and says she is starting to feel better.He talked about different parts of the endocrine system,but am so brain funky,I cant even remember what else he said! I've checked to see if its repeated,but cant see that it is,but anyone whos interested,maybe able to

find out on Livings website.

Best wishes Sharon

[Guest guest]

I would agree the HENRY (Healthy Eating and Nutrition for the Really Young))training is excellent.The Infant and Toddler Forum are good on portion size and lots of other info for professionals and parentsVBWMaggie The Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless deviceFrom: phine Locke <josephinelocke@...>Sender: Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:13:16 +0000senate hvsn< >Reply Subject: RE: Obesity Hello Louise Have you heard of Henry Training? I am not completely sure about it but it seems a good system.regards phine From: loui_r@...Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:14:26 +0000Subject: Obesity Dear Group, As a HV I am increasingly seeing obese infants as are my peers. Does anyone know of any specific initiatives in their areas that are addressing obesity in infants. Previous successful "Cook and Eat " groups and weaning groups that were run by HV teams have been axed but not replaced with any alternatives. Of course there are issues at all levels from micro to macro but if anyone has experienced success with specific intervention it would be good to know.Regards,Louise CremonesiniHV Cambridgeshire.

[Guest guest]

I would agree the HENRY (Healthy Eating and Nutrition for the Really Young))training is excellent.The Infant and Toddler Forum are good on portion size and lots of other info for professionals and parentsVBWMaggie The Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless deviceFrom: phine Locke <josephinelocke@...>Sender: Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:13:16 +0000senate hvsn< >Reply Subject: RE: Obesity Hello Louise Have you heard of Henry Training? I am not completely sure about it but it seems a good system.regards phine From: loui_r@...Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:14:26 +0000Subject: Obesity Dear Group, As a HV I am increasingly seeing obese infants as are my peers. Does anyone know of any specific initiatives in their areas that are addressing obesity in infants. Previous successful "Cook and Eat " groups and weaning groups that were run by HV teams have been axed but not replaced with any alternatives. Of course there are issues at all levels from micro to macro but if anyone has experienced success with specific intervention it would be good to know.Regards,Louise CremonesiniHV Cambridgeshire.