Overweight kids treated with ADHD drug

Wow. So many different issues are raised with Dr. Ziai's actions. There have been many different stimulants prescribed for weight loss over the years, and certainly the most common used amphetamine for weight loss for post-natal women is crystal meth (yikes!).

I used to date a fellow whose grandfather pioneered the used of stimulants to treat fatties - and he made some good money that way. It was interesting to him that the technique was no longer in use, but then the patients often got hooked and could not just step off the dose. Adderall, and even Ritalin, under a physician's dispensing surely would not have the same consequences as those used in the past, but how is it different then using heroin for loosing weight?

More then that, I am sure the hunger comes back when the med is removed. Then again, in the face of type II diabetes I would try anything to avoid that fate for my kids - that is a miserable life sentence in my book. To me there is no easy solution to the growing incidence of obesity, which includes me and mine. Even I know that if I didn't want to eat so much it would be a huge help, I am hungry all the time and the sensation of eating is so pleasant. I wish this was the perfect trick for our kids keeping lean and healthy.

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The ONLY way to lose weight healthfully and keep it off is through diet change and exercise.

A pill will only be a short term solution. It is very, very disheartening to me to hear that dr's are prescribing this for children to lose weight and even more sad that parents are putting their children on unecessary drugs instead of doing what it appropriate--watching food and exercising.

And I know people will reply to this with the comment that some people can't lose weight normally and will be heavy regardless. My response is that not everyone falls within the recommended BMI and there are many non-thin people that are still healthy. I think "healthy" is the ultimate goal.

Therefore, eating right and exercising is the best option, whether the child has a genetic predisposition towards beng overweight or you have just chosen to let them eat poorly.

Why is our culture so bent on finding the easiest and quickest route to accomplishing anything. No one realizes that any real accomplishment, any thing of worth, is won through dedication and hard work, not the newest scheme. ugh.

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My son took Adderall for his ADHD; ironically, it was the only ADHD drug that did NOT cause him to lose weight.

It did, however, exacerbate a tic, to the point that the prescribing physician stopped the meds and ordered follow up testing to be sure there were no other problematic side effects (there weren't).

I think that if I had an overweight child (or a child with ANY medical problem, really) and a doctor told me that an off-label medication was his only hope, I would find another doctor.

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Overweight kids

Nearly one in four children are overweight in the U.S. If your child is one of
them, it’s time to do something about it. You as the parent have the responsibility to control your child’s eating habits and activities.
Not sure if your child is overweight, click the link below for free results.

Tips for Parents to help their overweight child:
· Reduce their time playing video games and watching television, which are both sedentary activities.
· Be active with your child whether it be bicycling, walking, bowling or a hike in the park.
· You be the role model by eating healthy foods and limiting unhealthy snacks in the house.
· Try to limit your eating out habits and make more nutritious meals at home.
· Give them healthy snacks like frozen yogurt, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, dried fruits, nuts, angel food cake topped with strawberries or breads and crackers made with enriched flour and whole grains, served with fruit spread or fat-free cheese

Now you can get your child’s weight on track and build their self-esteem, read more at the link below for great info.

http://naturalsupply.blogspot.com/2007/05/overweight-kids.html

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