An obese 4 year old perhaps?

I have a friend of a friend with a young 4 year old son. Bless her heart, she tries everything to keep this little guy healthy. He weighs close to 60 lbs. My son is almost six and only 54 lbs. This little guy seems to never feel the sensation in his system that tells the rest of us that we are full. He is obsessed with food. He cannot seem to get enough. He loves food commercials, food network...lol...anything that has to do with food. She tries to get him out and walking the dogs and active, but he fights her and it's a daily battle to get this kid to be active and eat right. He is definitely an over eater.

Has anyone heard of this? I'm sure she has been to the family doctor over this (I get most of my info from my Aunt). I am really looking for some good childrens/health websites that I could email this gal to help educate her. You wisdom is appreciated. I forwarded her the healthykids.org site already. Any others? Simple advice welcome as well.

Have a happy day!

She should probably get rid of all junk food in the house. If she stocks only healthy foods and snacks if he gets into anything behind her back, it's only healthy food. *shrug* I don't have a child so I don't know much of what she can do other than eliminate junk food altogether in her house.

As far as I know, she has. He over eats everything...be it healthy or not. The kid just never gets full. His mother and father both are healthy weights, and very active. Has anyone ever heard of someone NOT feeling the "full" sensation?

I think another hurdle for this family is that they both work. So perhaps the child gets away with eating more junk at the babysitters. IDK...just a thought.

maybe they could let him choose something active to do. let him pick if he would like to walk the dog, go to the park, go swimming, join karate or wtv. kids seem to be more open minded when its their choice not something that is forced upon them.

is it possibe he is eating out of boredom? having him join an activity could give him something to do so he doesnt think about food as much.

maybe they could give him a reasonable portion of food so he doesnt over eat. if he wants more, then he will have to wait until snack time.

nods

There is a condition that leads kids to eat lots and never be full - Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Let's hope it's not that.

Assuming it isn't (the syndrome is not that common and overeating is not the only sign), my suggestion would be to cut off his TV watching. People who watch more TV eat more, and kids are especially susceptible to advertising.

Thank you for all the information. I sent the websites to the mother. I hope it helps. I am passionate about kids and their health. I feel like I might never have had weight issues if I would have grown up in a home with healthier eating around me. I was raised in OK and we ate everything fried, and always with a side portion of some kind of potatoes. We also learned to love vegetables back there though (I do have to give that to my momma).

Anyway, this poor little gal has done so many of the things that has been suggested. I was hoping to get some good info through links. Thank you so much. That fructose site is alarming. I feel like my son eats healthy and always has, as I had chosen the healthy lifestyle prior to his birth. His favorite beverage is water! Don't know how I managed to pull that one off. Anyway, he recently had some work done on his teeth (two caps and six fillings...and he's only almost six). I was floored! But I think a lot of the problems may lie in all of the hidden fructose in what I have always seen as "healthy." He loves yogurt, kechup, etc. So thanks for that site United. I will have to keep a better check on that.

Trustwomen-I don't know if the site you found will be helpful, but I sent it to her anyway. The symptoms of the 2-4 year olds definitely match up to what her son exhibits. She can sort through it all and see if any is useful to her.

 Thanks again everyone!

Remember we're talking about a 4 year old here. He's nowhere near his full height potential, and it's very possible that he may grow and not gain significant amounts of weight in the process, thereby nullifying his current weight situation.

If I may suggest a TV show for the child. There is one called Lazytown and it is aimed at the kids to help them be active and healthy. Not sure if it will work but every little bit helps.

First off, this 4 year old will need to have a proper diet. That means, no snacking in between meals or eating at night. If he loves his food, let him snack on fruits instead of chocolate bars. Throw out all junk foods, and bring in some healthy foods. And get him to eat good meals that will keep him not so hungry. And by trying to keep him active, get him to have an interest of which will help. Good luck!

He may have one of a number of syndromes.  If it were my child, I would discuss it with his doctor.

oh! rednikon! I love lazytown.  I watch it myself and I'm 20 years old! It gives me motivation to exercise!

Thanks everyone! My son used to watch Lazytown...I forgot about that show! Now he is too "cool" for it I guess.

The mother of the child said that her son has been tested for Prader Willy, thyroid, diabetes, ect. She said the problem with the activity of the child is that he was born legally blind. He had surgury at 2 and still has a major depth perception problem. She said he just started wearing glasses this year and it seems to be helping. His doctor has him on a very strict diet as well. The boy is down to 61 lbs from 70 at the beginning of the summer. IDK I think she has already done everything that we have talked about. The poor little guy has so many problems that hopefully he will out grow. But time going by may be bring about a different test...who knows?

Anyway, thanks everyone. I just feel so sorry for this boy and his family.

I know a 5 year old girl who cannot stop eating--she weighs, perhaps 85#'s maybe 40" tall; and cannot stop looking for food and consuming anything she can find.  She has even eaten to the point of vomiting in her sleep.  I don't know the dialog between the Dr and parent's, but know that this isn't normal.  SHe also has a terrible temper and seems to be obsessive compulsive.  She is a sweet little girl, with a loving family, but I'm certain they are at the end of their ropes with this child.  She starts Kindergarten this year, perhaps the school will discover something that will help identify what's going on.  Any comments?

This is all very strange to me.  There must be something wrong - it doesn't seem like a matter of inactivity or feeling full.  The kid is completely obsessed with food, and that is scary.  A 4-yr-old should not be entertained by the Food Network!!

I wonder what kind of BMR a growing child has.  I'd imagine it should be pretty high. 

Dear god I hope it's not Prader-Willi.  I saw a special on that syndrome on Discovery.  There is no cure, and the only treatment is growth hormone.  That doesn't help with the hunger management at all, but does help with some of the other symptoms.

Basically the part of the brain that signals "I'm full" doesn't work at all.  The poor kids are constantly feeling like they are starving.  doesn't matter what they eat, they always feel like they haven't eaten in a week, and it never goes away.

Plus they have "cognitive dificulties".  Basically they're not very smart.  Most have an IQ of 70ish.  They fall in the middel ground, lower than average (85 or higher) but higher than what used to be called an idiot, but I think is now called "functionally impaired" (50 or lower, Forest Gump was supposed to be at around 50).

Ask if you friend's sone didn't nurse much at all.  Basically this doen't kick in until they are 2 or so.  from birth to 2 years they never feel hungry.  From age 2 and up they never stop feeling hungry.  Also, is he left handed?  Nearly all are.  Does or did he have a speach impairment or did it take him a long time to learn to talk?

Other possibilities:  I saw another special on Discovery (is there any other channel?) about food addicts.  Alot of them eat sugary foods cause it makes them feel happy.  But then as soon as the sugar rush wears off they get hungry again.  Sugar gives you a quick high, and then a quick low, so they keep eating it to get that high back.

I know this sounds extreme. But I work in mental health. I work with a lot of people that binge eat. Most of them we keep the food in anthe locked part of the house. I would suggest keeping all the food locked in the parents bedroom that isnt parishable. And keep all the other food locked up in the basement in a freezer. Keep out oly a couple pieces o fruit and some veggies.

It works. Thats all i can say. it is a pain in the butt but if the food isnt there to be had. He cant binge on it.

No, his mother confirmed that he was tested for Prader Willi....negative there.

My son loves the Food Network. His favorite is Emeril. Mostly he says "thats not fair!" Because his food looks so good and we just eat "boring" and healthy rice, chicken, etc. LOL!