AFTER waging their own fierce battle of the bulge, JOHN TRAVOLTA and KELLY PRESTON are focusing their attention on their 12-year-old daughter ELLA BLEU, who has put on more than 30 pounds in the last several months.
The 5-foot-3 preteen weighs about 160 pounds, and pals wonder if John is to blame for her eating habits, say sources.
“John has always had a tendency to binge on junk food,” revealed his pal.
“Ella is daddy’s little girl, and maybe he’s passed on some bad eating habits. She loves rich sauces, heavy pastas and an extra dessert or two. She’s a snacker and, like her dad, could live on pizza.”
Meanwhile, John, 58, appeared to have slimmed down when he took off for a mid-September Paris vacation following an ENQUIRER story on his ever-growing gay scandal. And his 49-year-old wife Kelly has dropped at least 10 pounds in recent weeks.
“Now they’re keeping an eye on Ella and making her the best she can be,” a close pal told The ENQUIRER.
Ella is at an age when girls are especially sensitive about their appearance, and the source says her parents don’t want her to start feeling self-conscious.
“To help Ella, they’re bringing healthier food into the house, and they’re eating more salads and lighter dishes, including broiled fish,” added the source. “The Travoltas are incredibly sensitive to Ella’s feelings and realize a part of her is still grieving for her brother Jett (who died suddenly at 16 in 2009). They don’t want her to use food to soothe herself.
“John and Kelly know how beautiful, smart and talented Ella is, and are determined to encourage her to always be healthy and happy.”