Comments on: Judo, Dieting, Weight loss, Weight management and Children in Judo. http://judo4parents.com/2009/05/judo-dieting-weight-loss-weight-management-and-children-in-judo/ Information and advice for parents of children in Judo classes and clubs, by Lance Wicks. Fri, 02 Sep 2011 20:10:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: LanceW http://judo4parents.com/2009/05/judo-dieting-weight-loss-weight-management-and-children-in-judo/comment-page-1/#comment-26018 LanceW Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:32:09 +0000 http://judo4parents.com/?p=159#comment-26018 Hi Jonny, what you describe "crash dieting" is precisely what should be avoided. This sort of pathological eating behavior is very bad for the child and bad in both short-term and long-term. Crash dieting, especially when coupled with dehydrating depletes glycogen energy stores in the muscles for example of a short term problem. Dehydration is also shown to decrease performance. Starving and dehydration is also shown I understand to increase risk of injury. In the longer term the development of eating disorders is of great concern, the behaviours associated with "making weight" are only a hair breadth from anorexia and other eating disorders and yes could lead down that incredibly dangerous path! In my other post on the subject (linked from this site) I also spoke about the danger of a seemingly innocent action from a coach suggesting weighht loss is ok can lead to eating disorders and the fatal conditions that can arise. As for "advantages" of being in a lighter weight, I have not seen any actual evidence other than anecdotes, received wisdom and rumour that there are any advantages, especially children. You need to consider the performance decreases, injury rate increases against any perceived advantage. It for me at least is not a real advantage in a long career. Making weight in children is not worth it for the long term athlete. In summary, yes even in the context of competitions children should not be crash dieting to get so called advantages. Thanks for the comment, I think the "what about for competition" question is a good one and I hope that my reply expresses how strongly I disagree with the idea of children crash dieting in ANY situation. The only time a child should be encouraged to lose weight is if a doctor recommends it. And I include the case of an obese child, I would encourage exercise and a more active lifestyle, but as a Judo coach, it is not my place to tell children to lose weight... ever. Thanks for visiting the blog and leaving a comment, it is really appreciated. Lance Hi Jonny,
what you describe “crash dieting” is precisely what should be avoided.
This sort of pathological eating behavior is very bad for the child and bad in both short-term and long-term. Crash dieting, especially when coupled with dehydrating depletes glycogen energy stores in the muscles for example of a short term problem. Dehydration is also shown to decrease performance. Starving and dehydration is also shown I understand to increase risk of injury.
In the longer term the development of eating disorders is of great concern, the behaviours associated with “making weight” are only a hair breadth from anorexia and other eating disorders and yes could lead down that incredibly dangerous path!
In my other post on the subject (linked from this site) I also spoke about the danger of a seemingly innocent action from a coach suggesting weighht loss is ok can lead to eating disorders and the fatal conditions that can arise.
As for “advantages” of being in a lighter weight, I have not seen any actual evidence other than anecdotes, received wisdom and rumour that there are any advantages, especially children. You need to consider the performance decreases, injury rate increases against any perceived advantage. It for me at least is not a real advantage in a long career. Making weight in children is not worth it for the long term athlete.

In summary, yes even in the context of competitions children should not be crash dieting to get so called advantages.

Thanks for the comment, I think the “what about for competition” question is a good one and I hope that my reply expresses how strongly I disagree with the idea of children crash dieting in ANY situation. The only time a child should be encouraged to lose weight is if a doctor recommends it. And I include the case of an obese child, I would encourage exercise and a more active lifestyle, but as a Judo coach, it is not my place to tell children to lose weight… ever.

Thanks for visiting the blog and leaving a comment, it is really appreciated.

Lance

]]> By: Jonny http://judo4parents.com/2009/05/judo-dieting-weight-loss-weight-management-and-children-in-judo/comment-page-1/#comment-26016 Jonny Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:09:32 +0000 http://judo4parents.com/?p=159#comment-26016 What about competitions, where there is pressure to do well, and many of the kids are crash dieting a week or two before to fight in a lower weight group to get advantages? What about competitions, where there is pressure to do well, and many of the kids are crash dieting a week or two before to fight in a lower weight group to get advantages?

]]> By: LanceW http://judo4parents.com/2009/05/judo-dieting-weight-loss-weight-management-and-children-in-judo/comment-page-1/#comment-1708 LanceW Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:11:23 +0000 http://judo4parents.com/?p=159#comment-1708 Hi Tracey, It is very early on for you or your daughter to be thinking about competitions and "making weight". She needs to grow up before we worry about her weight, that is assuming she has a healthy body weight to height ratio. You family doctor can answer that better than me. As for height beinga hinderance, I don't think so. Long levers (arms and legs) can be a good thing. Again, once she has finished growing you and the Judo coach will have a better idea of how things are going to work. :-) She should NOT be put under any pressure to lose weight (again assuming here she is a healthy weight). It is not the Judo coaches position to be telling you or your daughter what the right weight for her is. They have an opinion and often experience... BUT, healthy weight is a matter for doctors not coaches. Coaches should not put pressure on an athlete to lose weight, especially a seven year old. I would hope this is not th case in the club you are sending her to. Hope this helps, Lance Hi Tracey,
It is very early on for you or your daughter to be thinking about competitions and “making weight”.
She needs to grow up before we worry about her weight, that is assuming she has a healthy body weight to height ratio. You family doctor can answer that better than me.

As for height beinga hinderance, I don’t think so. Long levers (arms and legs) can be a good thing. Again, once she has finished growing you and the Judo coach will have a better idea of how things are going to work. :-)

She should NOT be put under any pressure to lose weight (again assuming here she is a healthy weight). It is not the Judo coaches position to be telling you or your daughter what the right weight for her is. They have an opinion and often experience… BUT, healthy weight is a matter for doctors not coaches. Coaches should not put pressure on an athlete to lose weight, especially a seven year old. I would hope this is not th case in the club you are sending her to.

Hope this helps,

Lance

]]> By: Tracey http://judo4parents.com/2009/05/judo-dieting-weight-loss-weight-management-and-children-in-judo/comment-page-1/#comment-1668 Tracey Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:20:31 +0000 http://judo4parents.com/?p=159#comment-1668 Hi Lance. My 7 year old daughter is just about to enrol in Judo classes after thoroughly enjoying a 5 week taster course that was run at her school! I have become aware that competitions etc are based on weight as you say. My daughter is very tall for her age and quite "chunky". Is this likely to be a hinderance rather than a help for her? Do u think that she may be put under pressure regarding her weight? Tracey Hi Lance. My 7 year old daughter is just about to enrol in Judo classes after thoroughly enjoying a 5 week taster course that was run at her school! I have become aware that competitions etc are based on weight as you say. My daughter is very tall for her age and quite “chunky”. Is this likely to be a hinderance rather than a help for her? Do u think that she may be put under pressure regarding her weight?
Tracey

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