Guest guest Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 ... This isn't something that I've had to deal with, maybe its my sons bowel disease, but he's always been thin. But I do know that many people with Down's do have a propensity to being overweight, I've noticed it's especially evident in young adults and adults. Maybe its a generic answer, but maybe the pediatrician could give you some guidelines to go by? I was on Weight Watchers for a time... and they WILL accept children on a modified program with a doctors permission. I learned a LOT about food and did lose weight...but a growing child will have much different nutritional needs than someone like me who was just spending too much time with Mc. :::wink::: I'm sure some of the other parents will have much more insight or experience! Angel Mom to 11 MDS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2004 Report Share Posted April 16, 2004 Ariel has some issues with food although I wouldnt really say a " weight problem " .My husband and I are both thin, eat heathy, and exercise.Ariel's Dad and his girlfriend are both thin and health conscience as well.What Im getting at is that she has been taught since a very young age healthy eating habits.She does enjoy a bowl of ice cream or a dessert now and again, but who doesnt?The issue with Ariel comes in when she doesnt take her medication.(Ariel takes Concerts for ADHD/High Functioning Autism)She will obsess about food.She doesnt seem to know when to stop.She will constantly be at me for something to eat.Nothing unhealthy mind you but just FOOD.If I send her off to her fathers without her medication she can gain 5 pounds in a weekend.That is with exercise.(Her Father has 40acres of Land in PA and they go hiking with the dogs).When she is on her Medication she eats 3 meals a day plus dessert and maybe a snack when she comes home from school.I guess the medication makes her less hungry(possible side effect) and does something to her to make her obsess less. Mom to Ariel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2004 Report Share Posted April 16, 2004 We went to the doctor today and this was one of the subjects we discussed. Tim has always been on the skinny side until he hit puberty. He is beginning to gain weight. Tim has a thyroid problem that he takes meds for, and we did get our annual checkup on that today. We will have to wait on the results of that. One of the leading problems with children with any kind of trisomy 21 is that they can become over weight very easily. One of the causes can be because of a thyroid problem. It is very important to have the thyroid checked yearly. Another cause is lower metabolism. Without the higher metabolism, a person does not burn fat as easily. Also, many people with trisomy 21 have a lower social interaction than others, so they are not outside running around with friends and getting the exercise they need. My doctor suggested that Tim gets at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. He suggested that he should go shoot hoops or skate board for at least 30 minutes a day. Because he is a junior in high school, he has a lot of homework after school, and gets very little time for exercise. But...somehow we will have to work that out! I would suggest that you talk with your doctor about this and rule out the thyroid problem. Then, perhaps you can take a walk after school every day or something with him. Let us know how it goes! Kristy expresstax@... wrote: > > From: LDSAngel77@... > Date: 2004/04/15 Thu AM 10:58:47 CDT > To: MosaicDS > Subject: Re: and Ayla > > HELLO ALL. I HAVE ZACKARY, 10 YEAR OLD BOY, HE HAS STARTED GAINING WEIGHT SINCE HE WAS 8. EVERYONE IS TALL IN OUR FAMILY SO ZACK DOESN'T SEEM TO FOLLOW THE NORM OF BEING SHORTER THAN NORMAL, BUT HE HAS (HOW DO I SAY IT NICELY) BLOSSOMED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. I HAVE TRIED TO GET HIM OUTSIDE MORE AND HE PLAYS BASEBALL. LOOKING AT PICTURES OF OTHERS WITH DS AND MDS, WEIGHT VARIES JUST AS " NORMAL " PEOPLE DO. I WAS TRYING TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE ELSE WAS EXPERIENCING THIS AT AROUND THE SAME AGE OR IF ANYONE KNEW OF ANY HEALTHY SOLUTIONS. I HAVE TRIED LIMITING HIS AMOUNT OF SODAS AND SWEETS. HE ISN'T A JUNK FOOD JUNKIE. I ALWAYS HAVE RAW VEGGIES AND FRUIT ON HAND. I AM MORE WORRIED ABOUT HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT BEING OVERWEIGHT CAN CAUSE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2004 Report Share Posted April 16, 2004 , Concerta can decrease the appetite. Tim has a big trouble knowing when he is full. He will eat until I tell him to stop. I spoke with the genetisist about this and she said that it ISN'T a Ds problem. But, I have heard from alot of parents that have children with MDS that do not seem to know when they feel full. Who else's child seems to not feel full and wants to continue to eat until you tell them to stop? Kristy jaaaj@... wrote: Ariel has some issues with food although I wouldnt really say a " weight problem " .My husband and I are both thin, eat heathy, and exercise.Ariel's Dad and his girlfriend are both thin and health conscience as well.What Im getting at is that she has been taught since a very young age healthy eating habits.She does enjoy a bowl of ice cream or a dessert now and again, but who doesnt?The issue with Ariel comes in when she doesnt take her medication.(Ariel takes Concerts for ADHD/High Functioning Autism)She will obsess about food.She doesnt seem to know when to stop.She will constantly be at me for something to eat.Nothing unhealthy mind you but just FOOD.If I send her off to her fathers without her medication she can gain 5 pounds in a weekend.That is with exercise.(Her Father has 40acres of Land in PA and they go hiking with the dogs).When she is on her Medication she eats 3 meals a day plus dessert and maybe a snack when she comes home from school.I guess the medication makes her less hungry(possible side effect) and does something to her to make her obsess less. Mom to Ariel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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