I think that my little girl is a little too chubby for her age.

At what point should a parent start getting concerned? Doctors have tried mentioning it to my wife during check-ups, but then she gets offended and gets mad at the doctor.

Low metabolism runs rampant through my wife's side of the family. VERY big women over there. So I don't think my daughter's chubbiness is a result of poor eating habits. I think she's just inherited some bad genes.

But I'm still concerned. Is that bad?

What kinda of weight are we talking about? How much does she weigh? What is her height?

We've been watching our girls' weight very closely. My wife's family has a history of thyroid problems and they are inherited. So far, though, things are going well.

I don't know what the threshold is. But if the doctor is concerned, then I would be too. If the wife is offended, perhaps you should take her aside and explain what you told us -- in nice words, of course.

My wife has had no problem telling me about my weight issues - and watching what I eat. She doesn't mind telling my girls that they have to eat the nutritious things we put in front of them so they won't wind up like us.

I agree with Harry....if the doctor has seen fit to mention it, then it's probably something you need to be concerned with. I know there are those height/weight charts you can check out...I'll see if I can find one online for you...

Here's a link for you....I know it asks for head circumfrence, but I never put that one in....height & weight should be fine.

Growth Chart

Andie is sooo cute.

As for the thyroid issues, weight -- if the body is in balance, then this wouldn't be an issue for your wife's family or otherwise. Our genes basically tell us how hard we need to work to have balance or how little.

With your wife's family, I'm sure there are a lot of poor choices that led to those issues.

If you provide the right amounts of food for your daughter, good quality whole, natural foods, adjust as needed for her specific, individual body, make sure her hormones are in check and balanced, regular exercise -- role model good eating, exercise, and balanced lives, this should not be an issue.

Many people are overweight in my family due maybe to some genetics, but 95% of it is due to continual poor choices. You can control what your daughter eats. You can teach her how to be healthy.

Both are children are right where they should be. They are neither skinny or heavy. We feed them good quality, whole natural foods -- they get enough sleep, regular exercise, sunshine, learning how to manage stress, deal with conflict, etc.

I'm so proud of my 5 yr old. We have tested her with other people to try to give her candy. She knows candy is bad for you, filled with refined sugar, and ultimately it destroys your body. She has been greatly passing these tests she didn't even know we were giving her.

2.5 yrs old
34lbs
34" tall

Here's what the BabyCenter calculator returned

Sex = girl
Age = 30 Months
Length = 34.0 inches
Weight = 34.0 pounds


Based on the data you submitted, your child falls into the following percentiles:

Length = 10th percentile
Weight = between 90th and 95th percentile

so, she's in a high percentile for her weight...just something to watch, then maybe. Do you and wife go together to her checkups? (my DH doesn't go with me....) If not, maybe you can make a point to go next time and possibly wife would be more open to discussing the weight question if you were there?

But at 2 1/2, she CAN'T *really* be over weight....just keep up the good eating habits, make sure she gets alot of exercise, that kinda stuff.

We don't usually go together. I'll bring her half the time, my wife will bring her the other half.

My wife's argument is that we're all "dense". I look as skinny as can be, but if I told you my weight you'd probably picture me as being a lot bigger. Same goes for my younger sister, same goes for my wife. The "weight" far exceeds the look. So that's why my wife gets upset. She thinks that those charts are out of date and inaccurate and don't take a lot of things into consideration. She's afraid of our daughter developing a weight complex if we start pressuring her with diets at too young an age.

I just don't know what to think of all of it.

Well, she does have a point....there's so much pressure to look "just right" we have to shield our children from it as long as possible.

You know, as long as your little one is eating healthy (well, as much as a 2 year old can...:doh: ), and is getting exercise by playing & not sitting in front of the tv all day, then I'd say don't worry for now....

Good eating & exercise habits early on will ensure she has them all her life, then when she's older she's more apt to keep the weight off if it ends up being a "challenge"....

If the child can keep up in play then I don't see an issue....

She may look chubby, but that may just be her.

I was a reed until about 8-10 years then I just began ballooning up....

I agree with that, about the charts.

My daughter is tall and thin. So thin, that if I don't put her in slim cut jeans her pants literally fall off of her. Well at her last pediatrician visit, according to the chart, she was over weight. It's so stupid. Even the doctor told me not to worry about it.

Little kids go up and down in their weight and height for years. Right before my daughter has a growth spurt, her little cheeks get really big and she looks chubby. Then she shoots up, and her face isn't as round.

All anyone can do for their kids is make sure they eat well and exercise. And Mrs. Redguard is right, you don't want her body image to become an issue. Even though our children may be beautiful (as is your Rachel), we can't focus on the external. We have to build them up from the inside out. Fill her with the Word of God and everything else will fall into place.

hey....do we have a rep button on here?

Great post sister!! :thumbsup: