Weight Gain in Young Adult Son

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a textbook case for GLP 1s plus possibly some therapy around food and weight issues. Good luck, OP.

[Anonymous]

GLP-1s. I have an adult son who has always struggled with his weight. He started GLPs when he turned 18. It’s a blessing after struggling for so long. Offer to pay his cost out of pocket.

Just make sure to monitor side effects like muscle loss, low energy and depression. Learn to eat healthy.

[Anonymous]

GLPs are still new. No one knows the effects of being on them for 60 years.
It's an eating disorder. Address that. Help him find help for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GLPs are still new. No one knows the effects of being on them for 60 years.
It's an eating disorder. Address that. Help him find help for that.

You can do both at the same time. My primary care doc says GLP-1s are a game changer that offers the best chance for Americans to overcome the obesity epidemic in this country.

[Anonymous]

GLP1 is a crazy first step. I would look for a registered dietician in his area (or someone who does remote work) and ask him if he would consider doing that. He should probably also just get some bloodwork done. Tell him you would like to pay for these things and anything else related he needs, but otherwise you want to respect his privacy.

If he asks for one, a gym membership would be fine, but understand that is for fitness, not weight loss. It's very, very difficult to lose weight based on exercise alone. A dietician will hopefully help him make the eating changes that will stick with him.

[Anonymous]

He expressed that he wasn’t interested in discussing his weight any more, and that he wanted to handle it himself, while acknowledging that he was significantly overweight

That's it. That's all.

[Anonymous]

Glp is the best and only solution

[Anonymous]

It’s alcohol + the extra eating with alcohol. Drunk eating.

[Anonymous]

I totally understand why your son’s weight would be a great concern for you - - especially since someone close to you died prematurely from obesity.

And obesity IS a huge health issue.
His risk of getting cancer or diabetes is high plus he is at a high risk for a multitude of health issues such as cardiovascular issues and high blood pressure too.

But your son is an adult now and he has directly told you + your husband that he does not want any interference.
He acknowledges that he is overweight and now it is up to him entirely how he will deal w/it.

Nothing you or your husband will say will make a difference at this point.
If anything - it may create unnecessary animosity.

All you can do at this stage is just hope that he makes healthy life choices.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You and your husband say nothing. Your rude a** other child already did.

Shame on him.

It's not rude at all. Awkward, maybe, but if family can't talk about a serious issue like this, who can.

I have never in my life seen an adult change their eating and exercise habits to become fitter because family was so helpful in calling them out as a fatass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You and your husband say nothing. Your rude a** other child already did.

Shame on him.

Disagree. I would approach it simply as a health thing. Let him know you love him no matter what and this is strictly about health. He needs a full work up including thyroid. It's much easier to reverse things at this age, than it is when he is older and that is a large weight gain. If it were merely the freshman 15, I'd be fine with letting him figure it out and just being supportive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally understand why your son’s weight would be a great concern for you - - especially since someone close to you died prematurely from obesity.

And obesity IS a huge health issue.
His risk of getting cancer or diabetes is high plus he is at a high risk for a multitude of health issues such as cardiovascular issues and high blood pressure too.

But your son is an adult now and he has directly told you + your husband that he does not want any interference.
He acknowledges that he is overweight and now it is up to him entirely how he will deal w/it.

Nothing you or your husband will say will make a difference at this point.
If anything - it may create unnecessary animosity.

All you can do at this stage is just hope that he makes healthy life choices.

Good luck!

He's an adult because he is over age 18, but this isn't a 28 year old. If approached in a sensitive and loving way, a parent can still help guilde a young person. You can make a difference because if you can get him to see a doctor that could make a big difference in his health in the long run. Plus, if your child were showing signs of slowly killing himself, even if he was 40 you would at least try to intervene respectfully.

[Anonymous]

If not family, who can? No one can

[Anonymous]

I would be really worried about this. I think you can offer to help him join a gym and get a therapist. I think that would be responsible parenting at this stage.

[Anonymous]

Holy Moly!!! Speak plainly with him and brainstorm solutions together. It has to be done as a family -

- Change in nutrition for everyone. Good and healthy eating habits.
- Therapist for everyone to deal with mental issues.
- Exercise under the care of a fitness coach who can help all of you reach your goal and prevent injuries
- Improve sleep cycle.

Someone who keeps all of you accountable.