Apparently my kid is overweight

[abs]

DD was in the 133% for weight at 2. Now at almost 5 she is still bigger but much more proportionate (90% for weight, 75% for height. She is very, very muscular and does not look that big. Her pedi never worried and neither did I. It's not like DD was eating junk at every meal, you know? She was a late walker and it just took awhile to even out.

[NandaB]

Both of my kiddos are 95%tile for height and weight, but they always have been. Did she jump percentiles by much? I would be pissed if a brand new dr told me my kid was fat and gave me a pamphlet about not giving them too many fruit snacks without first asking about what they eat and their level of activity. I get that childhood obesity is a real problem, but it seems like the Dr just made assumptions and that would concern me because what I'd they are that last about all diagnosis?

[NandaB]

If she's always been in the 90s I would call and ask for clarification about the "drastic" increase

[nicolewi]

I don't get the reason for concern if she hasn't moved much off her curve. Did they have her history? Why did they phrase it as "a drastic increase?" My almost-3-year old DD is close to that same size, so while your child is big for her age it doesn't sound like she's really overweight. My DD is 36" tall and almost 32 pounds.

I would definitely want more clarification before doing the labs. It sounds like your doctor may have not paid enough attention to the history or may have mis-read something.

[lala]

Is it a totally new practice or just a new to you pedi in your office? Regardless, I'd talk to another doctor in the practice - w/o them being "prepped" to see what they think. But unless she significantly jumped percentiles and the doctor can tell you specifically why he's worried about an otherwise normal & healthy kid, I'd be tempted to ignore it all.

Something seems missing here.

I will say, though, labs aren't always that horrific. Not enjoyable, for sure, but don't let your fear or annoyance at having to do labs color the whole thing.

[erbear]

I think it's worth checking out. That's pretty big for a 2 year old (she outweighs my - tiny - 5 year old), and perhaps the pedi is concerned about a rapid weight gain in a time that isn't normally a huge gaining period. Now, granted, if she's moved off her normal growth curve, I'd be more concerned, but for me, when DD1 was on the large side as a baby (95% for weight), I did pay attention. I didn't put her on a diet or anything, but I paid attention to what she ate more than I would have otherwise. She hit a growth spurt and is now in the 45% for weight (and 90% for height) at 6.5.  

Anyway, I think your DD is probably fine, but I'd want to rule out a medical concern if I trusted the advice of my pedi.

[Kcthepouchh8r]

I have the reverse issue and got the same referral. It's pretty common practice.

I would definitely do labs. I empathize with how much they suck but better safe than sorry. I could be misinterpreting but it reads like she's been in the 90th percentile typically but now is off the charts. If she's jumped up from her curve it's wise to investigate just to be safe. Kids will often follow their parents growth as kids/adults so if you and/or dh are on the bigger stockier side that is to be expected and will be her healthy norm. It's good to be sure though.

[foodiemom]

If she's stayed on her normal growth curve or similar curve for weight, I don't see the concern or need to do more. Did they show you the mark on the curve? Does it look like an outlier?

I'm always one to try to do lots of preventative stuff. While I know bloodwork on littles is hard, if her number was well off the curve, I'd want the peace of mind that everything is ok. Of course, I would also hope they asked questions about diet, any abnormal eating patterns etc.

[usm]

What were her percentages at her last appointment?

A nutritionist isn't just about diet. We have seen one for years to more accurately monitor DS2's growth. She has much more in depth growth charts available and is more likely to notice if something medical might be at play.

Trust me, I know how hard it is to deal with blood draws and testing. It sucks but I'd hate to miss something going on with growth hormones, metabolism or anything else.

If she's always been on this growth curve, I'd switch doctors and not worry about it.

[Deleted]

Oh man all my sorries for blood work. We did it once with ds when he was 2 and it was so awful for all of us

All the pps had good comments. I feel like a second opinion couldn't hurt. Unless her percentages are way up, that does seem odd.

I have a big kid too. He's 37.5 inches tall and 34 pounds at 2 1/2 yo. But the pedi has never said anything about it. He actually is pretty lean looking and has a small waist.

Sorry you're upset and annoyed, I would be too. I feel annoyed at this doctor. Please post a follow up and gl!

[rosesandpetals]

When a nurse from children's takes dds blood, she barely even cries. They're much better than you'd think. So maybe it won't be that bad?

DD was 36.5 inches and 30 pounds at her 2 year and all of her drs said that was within normal (and she saw a lot at that time because that's when her hearing issues were dxd). She hasn't gained much since then so maybe they were expecting it to slow down and it isn't? I'd askance clarification. Like what do they think could be wrong?

[cna]

I have the opposite problem with my Itty bitty 6 year old. DS2 was just over 44" (10th percentile) and 43 lbs (19th percentile) at his 6 year check up. He's pretty small compared to other 6 year olds but is perfectly on his curve so his pedi isn't concerned.

I agree with asking lots of questions as to why they're concerned and what the testing entails.

[lattelady5]

I would call for a more thorough explanation too. Did your pedi ask abought diet? How big of a jump?

My oldest has the opposite issue and we ran blood work at 2. I sympathize. After the blood work she ended up screaming at every doctor appointment after for awhile...including my ob appointments WHEN I was pregnant with ds and his baby appointments for awhile. At four she's much better but yeah...it really sucked for awhile.

DS has dropped on percentiles weight wise but I talked with the pedi and am not concerned. He's a good eater, he's thinner smaller like his sister and parents.

[lala]

But if they hadn't seen the chart, how do they know it was a dramatic increase?

I can't be the only person whose kids don't follow their exact curve. They jump around a bit and no on has ever been concerned. +/- 10-20% here and there.

[abs]

Nov 3, 2015 20:10:09 GMT -5 lala said:

But if they hadn't seen the chart, how do they know it was a dramatic increase?

I can't be the only person whose kids don't follow their exact curve. They jump around a bit and no on has ever been concerned. +/- 10-20% here and there.

Same here.  Depending on when your kid hits a growth spurt they might not follow an exact curve all the time.  DD tends to gain weight and then gain 2 inches later.  

I would be very annoyed by the pedi's attitude but it can't hurt to get the blood work done.