From George, Child's Age 13 - 04/14/04 - IP#: 140.186.46.xxx  Click here to reply  
My youngest son is only 13 and is about 8 inches shorter than me and Mark, my older son, but he weighs more than both of us. I haven't talked to him because I think he thinks its okay to be on the heavy side. What do I do?
Reply from Dan's mom, Child's Age 13 - 05/20/04  - IP#: 216.78.21.xxx
George,
It is a serious health problem at this point, and you need to try to intervene. He is still growing and that extra weight is a strain on his joints. Don't believe he doesn't care. I am sure he is being teased and rejected because of it, and that is painful to admit to you. Maybe it would help to take him to the doctor and ask him to scare him. But I am he wishes like anything he was thin.
You may not always be able to control how much he eats, but you can control what he eats a good deal of the time. At least you can be sure he's not gaining while he's home. My son just started losing. He just does the food pyramid, 6 breads, and three of all the other groups daily. He is able to eat quite a bit that way, and has lost about 10 pounds in three weeks. I was surprised how little he knew about making choices, and he likes a lot of fruit, yogurt and cheese. Print out the food pyramid, and put it on the fridge. Tell him YOU want to eat better. Throw out the chips and bring in the pretzels and popcorn (low fat). Your son can eat a whole bag of that, and even two isn't too bad. I'm sure the rest of you can agree to eat junk away from the house, for his sake. I know he has a lot to lose, but when it starts to come off, maybe he'll be motivated. Just be careful how you approach him. I guarantee he's catching it at school, and needs to know you're on his side.

 
Reply from george, Child's Age 13 - 05/16/04  - IP#: 140.186.46.xxx
My older son weighs 196 and now my younger son weighs 234. I've tried some of your suggestions but they don't seem to work. He said that he doesn't care about his outside appearance.

 
Reply from Adrianne, Child's Age 14 - 05/04/04  - IP#: 67.22.30.xxx
he needs to see a doctor. that is very unsafe. don't let it slide at ALL. he could clog arteries and stuff.

 
Reply from Frank, Child's Age 16 - 04/19/04  - IP#: 159.134.229.xxx
Sorry, i thought u said something about ur older sons weight, what weight is he?

 
Reply from Frank, Child's Age 16 - 04/19/04  - IP#: 159.134.229.xxx
Hows do your two sons get along? Maybe ur older son could help ur son to lose weight or at least get active, or try and lose weight with him.

 
Reply from ray*ray, Child's Age 13 - 04/15/04  - IP#: 66.67.111.xxx
Wow, I told you to email me but forgot to leave my email adress-sorry! its sweeti_gurl2003@yahoo.com Hope to hear from you!

 
Reply from ray*ray, Child's Age 13 - 04/15/04  - IP#: 66.67.111.xxx
You should talk to him and tell him that you are concerned about his health. Avoid calling him fat, chunky, big or anything like that becuase it will probably just his self-esteem. After you talk to him you have to make an effort yourself, your son can't do this on his own. Go on walks with him or shoot some hoops or something. Try to not eat out as much and to keep only healthy food in your house. Also another thing that could help is if you give him rewards, like if you do good for the next month you can do blah blah blah. Whatever he wants, a new video game or a camping trip or something. Try to avoid giving rewards that involve food becuase that just ruins the whole point of it. Also try to avoid saying "if you lose 15 pounds by whenever" type of thing because then if he falls short by a little it will make him feel like a faliure. Well I hope this helps...if you want any more ideas just email me. *ray*ray*

 
Reply from george, Child's Age 13 - 04/14/04  - IP#: 140.186.46.xxx
By the way, he's 5'6" 218 pounds, and he is gaining about three pounds a week now.