When my daughter, who will be 8 in July, stands next to her best friend, who turned 8 this month, you would think there was 2-3 years difference in their ages. My daughter's friend is a good 6" taller and at least 60-70# heavier than my daughter.
Which one should the teacher turn in for "issues," the child with a weight problem or the pipsqueak skinny minny child?
Both children are happy, healthy and very active. I see it on a regular basis when they are at my house, and also on the ball field because both girls are in Little League.
Feeding these 2 girls is no picnic. Heaven help me and the other mom when they become teenagers. Granted as most kids their age do, they go through their fair share of mac and cheese.............but between me and the other mom, we go through pretty close to 10 pounds of carrots and celery a week, just in snacks. Gotta love a kid that loves veggies!!!!!
Yes, I think this is why it is a difficult issue. There's a wide variation in kids, but people who see them often (like teachers) do know which ones are in trouble. I don't trust all teachers, of course. But who else sees the kids so often?
BTW, I'm past the age of feeding young children. I was always lazy about it, but the kids were always happy with the bowls of vegs in ice water (to keep them crispy) - carrots and celery, sure. But also cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, mushrooms. And bite sized fruits like apple slices, grapes, berries, pineapple chunks, etc. in a fruit bowl.
As long as they didn't need a plate or a utensil, they ate it. :-)