There always seems to e something in the media about someone ebing too fat or too thin. Food and exercise seem to be a constant worry for a lot of people. I am very concerned about this - my niece asked me if I thought she was fat when she was just 4. I have boys and in a way hope that this will mean they are less concerned with how they look but the way things are going, I think it will be as uch of an issue for boys as girls once they get to be teenagers.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it a worry for you?

Do you think it's possible that your niece was just repeating a question she heard someone else say, or do you think she's actually consciously worried about her weight?

I think it's something we should all be aware of. On the other hand, four years old seems so young to be asking that question, although some kids should be altering their diets then, I suppose.

she was just a wee thing about 5 she said she was fat. she pinched sthe skin so far away form her body that she said that was fat. so she stopped eating.
Then she went through eating only one or two items. Then as she got older it just continued to get worse.

I ahvent seen her in a very long time, but as I undersatnd from other memebrs o fteh family her bad eating habits continue, but she live son energy drinks.

Its nevera godo idea to moneky with a klids metabolisim. If you dont bring teh junk food in but bring home the good stuff they dont have a choice but to eat whats healthy. Making tehr ight chocies for food begins at home. and then carryuing that over to school is teh challenge.

julie

I think the fact that her Mother was on a diet may have influenced what she said. Also her Mother and Father were always calling each other fat.

She did get very underweight - so much so that her doctor sent her to a specialist to keep an eye on what she was eating and whether she was putting on any weight. Fortunately, she is now much better and is a healthier weight for her height.

My daughter is 5 years old and she does ask us this question a lot. She seems to be very self-conscious and at her age it concerns me. She is not fat but is a little chubby, she doesn't wear sleeveless clothes and hides from sight whenever she's in one.

I don't approve of this kind of behavior but I have no idea how to speak to her in a way that will be constructive and that at the same time, she will understand.

We consist of a family that is usually confident with our looks, and I don't know how to deal with my daughter's apparent shyness, and insecurities. The only way I am trying at the moment is always making her feel loved, in action and in words, and I'm just hoping that she will outgrow these insecurities in due time.

We tend to always tell the boys have gorgeous they are. I am not sure whether this is a good thing though. I know that I never believe anyone when thy say I look good and I wonder whether this will also have that effect (although we do mean it - we think they are the cutest children in the world). I also wonder if they come across anyone who criticises how they look it will make them feel worse because they always thought they were lovely.

It seems like someone must have said something to your daughter to make her feel self concious. I know my sister is always saying that my sons have chubby legs and considering they are tall for their age and below average weight I cannot see how they can possibly be chubby - I do not think they have ever been fat. It makes me cross as I think it might make them worry about how they look when there is no reason for them to.

Yes, I think she got the idea from people pinching her cheeks or arms saying how cute she is. Although basically it is a compliment, she takes it that what they really mean is that she's fat, since they were pinching her cheeks (which is basically how some people react when they see a cute chubby child).

I personally don't use the word "fat" at home, but some people in my household does and although they don't use it to refer to her or call her names, I feel as though that by just learning the meaning of the word was what jump-started these insecurities of hers.

That sounds likely and is such a shame. We have enough insecurities when we get older, such a pity to hear of it in a small child.

I totally agree, which is why I am doing my best to find ways to eliminate these insecurities that is clouding up my 5-year-old's mind. My mother and her now go for long walks as a form of exercise at least once in two days, my daughter enjoys it and the thought of becoming thinner because of these walks excites her.

Yesterday, she actually wore a sleeveless dress in public, which I was so happy about because that usually never happens. I'm hoping that these exercises will continue to boost her confidence, like it seems to be doing so far.