overweight 3 year old

Just a p.s to ajanela dried fruit is full of sugar, no longer regarded as a healthy snack.

Do you ever have meals with your GS parents ? this will give you an idea of what may go on when it comes to food.Rather than upsetting the apple cart I would suggest ,and without his parents, have your GS for a day or even a weekend. Introduce him to what you believe is healthy eating for children , preparing food with his help and make it a game. Only you know your GS and making food look interesting is the name of the game in getting kids to eat what is best for them. Other than that, you are not his mother, and as concerned as you will be I do not believe there is much else you can do.

My DGD was I'm the upper percentile of weight in her first school check but six months later she is taller and all "chubbiness" has gone. Say nothing, unless asked and even then say little, and try not to worry.

Sound advice here. I would not say anything yet. I presume the child has regular health checks. If he were overweight for his age, a doctor would have indicated this already to his parents. Your contribution should be limited to providing healthy food, healthy snacks and lots of exercise when you are together.

My GD was a bit chubby at 3 but seems to have slimmed considerable now she's 4. About the snacks, could you approach it from the healthy teeth angle, there is a lot of evidence to show eating between meals accelerates tooth decay and many snacks are bad for teeth. For more info click here www.toothfairyblog.org/healthy_snacks_childrens_teeth/

Somehow concern about teeth is much less controversial than mentioning weight.

My granddaughter was overweight when she was 3 and got 'the letter' when she was assessed at school in her reception class but she's 6 now, much taller, takes dance and swimming classes and is very active in her play and has lost her chubby look. When you are with the family why not suggest a physical activity - like a long walk in the woods, only provide healthy meals/snacks when the family visit you and only buy suitable presents for birthdays like bikes, skipping ropes or roller skates. I have a good relationship with my daughter so we can talk about these sort of things but, if you don't, then I wouldn't say anything but just lead by example.

When you see him, can you do something healthy with him eg walk the dog, take him swimming etc?

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He's not too young to start to take an interest in helping you to make some simple recipes.
DGD liked making smoothies hen she was 3 and you can make little cakes with vegetables or pasta dishes

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i think you have every right to be concerned. My grand daughter was 'chubby' and all you heard her say was i'm hungry'. I said maybe she is thirsty but too young to realise the difference. But she is now nearly eight and way to heavy for her age and height.I cant lift her for a cuddle at all and i know it is starting to bother her. When she was here last week she tried to compete with the other grand daughter in skipping and just couldnt keep up and was so breathless she had to sit down. I am very tempted to say something to my say but it is a difficult one!!!

This is a very difficult situation I have had the same with my grandson. My Ds and Ddil have always said to me if you think we are doing something wrong please tell us. I have never said anything to them until I became really worried about the amount my Dgs was eating. We only see him a couple of times a year but Skype every day. Firstly I realised that due to lack of money they were giving him real cheap junk. I started by showing my Dgs on Skype all the different fruit Grandma loved , apricots, strawberries, peaches etc. I then transferred money so that he could go to the shop with Ds and choose his fruit, this really did seem to work. I really do try not to interfere and as I said this is the first time I ever have . Thankfully it was fine

If his parents are vegetarian and, as you say, he doesn't much like the kind of food that they eat, his body may be craving nutrients which he is lacking so he is over-eating the wrong kind of foods to try to obtain these nutrients.
Children can be perfectly healthy on a vegetarian diet but do need concentrated protein in order to develop.

I don't think you can say anything without the possibility of causing a problem, perhaps finding a cookbook with vegetarian dishes suitable for children and giving it with a cheery 'I thought you may find this useful'.
If he isn't active enough a trampoline is great for exercise if they have room and if you could afford it as a present.

Children do tend to 'fill out' then 'shoot up' as other posters have said - he may be heading for a growth spurt.

Say nothing. Get him interested in active stuff, buy him footballs, take him on walks,swimming, do funny dances, let the school send the letter (they will you have to be a bean pole now to escape that) you help him by just being busy with him.

I agree with the others. Say nothing!
and try to put it out of your mind. I realise your thoughts are coming from a good place and your GS's health is your priority. The majority of toddlers are chubby ...... My GS is 4 1/2 and as if my magic ALL the chub has disappeared to reveal a muscular boy who seems to be hungry literally all the time.

So best to enjoy cuddling him and leave the weight control to his parents ....

Yes three year old checks done. I'm a nursery nurse and have three year old grandson with same problem very dodgy ground but share your concerns,my son would be aporoachable but nothing partner tread carefully his nursery will pick up on this and monitor let them speak not you x

I'd keep a silent eye on things. Kids that age do have growth spurts, and will be active more now weather is good. Plus nursery etc gives healthy food at specific times. Never ever say anything in front of a child. It caused several lifetime eating disorders in my family!

Don't say a word would be my advice. The parents know well enough if the child is overweight and seem not to be making an issue of it. The child will slim down over time. I have a chubby 3 year old grandson and his 4 year old brother is skinny. I am careful with what I give the 3 year old to eat without making an issue of it .

I think they get checked when they start school. I wouldn't say anything but have healthy snacks at your house. We have the opposite problem. DGS is skinny as a rake and has little interest in food (though he would eat sugary things if he was allowed!) DD was long and thin at his age though. Was your son a similar build?

Yes and they usually put it on again when the growth spurt stops or in later life due to poor eating habits and lack of exercise.

First you have to decide is he very over weight and has health implications or just a little compared to the rest of the family. Can't agree that parents recognise the problem or even except the evidence when put in front of him. They usually say it is a family trait or muscle or some other form of reasoning.

You identify the problem is his eating pattern. Might be easier to mention that. Like he won't eat his lunch if he snacks now. Or a 3 year old eating a packet of crisps is a bit like an adult eating a family pack and we can't eat out lunch after that. All good typical grandma remarks we all heard from our mothers. But you might have better ones!

Take little packets of dried fruit as treats rather than sweets and biscuits. Not sure what he drinks but Sunny delight is loaded with sugar as are many other drinks and juices, bad for the teeth. Water is best or a mixture of water and fruit juice.

I agree with everyone else don't mention the fat bit directly, it will be thrown back at you for the rest of your life and longer.

I wouldn't say anything for the sake of your relationship!
Health visitors are involved until nursery then schools will raise any concerns.
It's my experience that kids put on weight before a growth spurt,that may be all that's happening here. Growing children get hungry and snack, his parents choice may just not be yours.

I have a 5 year old GD who wants to snack all the time. She is the tallest, and most sturdy in her class. I wouldn't say overweight. I wouldn't mention it to anyone. It's a minefield and one for the parents to deal with.

Children go through growing spurts...they fill out then grow taller. Chances are this will happen and soon the child will look slimmer.

keep out of it,lots of toddlers and pre school children are a wee bit chubby and they lose it quickly when they have a growth spurt .

My Ds was always a chubby baby, toddler and young lad. When he started puberty, which co-incided with a lot of rugby and cycling, he stretched out and became a beanpole and has never been overweight since. I would keep schtum - the parents will not thank you for commenting and nor will the child.

I'd wait and watch. Soon after your GS goes to school he will undergo a health check.

"Under the National Child Measurement Programme, the child’s height and weight will be measured. Their body mass index (BMI) is calculated, factoring in their age and sex, and they are placed in one of four categories: underweight, healthy weight, overweight or very overweight. This test has caused controversy, but is based on evidence that children who are overweight at this age are more likely to be overweight as adults, which can trigger health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Children are weighed and measured in private, wearing their clothes, and the results aren’t shared with their teachers or other children."

His parents will be informed of the results and any necessary actions taken. It is quite common for a 3-year old to appear a bit tubby. They usually lose this naturally.