How to Deal with Kids Weight Gain

[Anonymous]

OP, I think that if you get him some clothes to wear that fit properly he will start to feel better about himself and may be willing to do more. But if you force him to wear clothes that embarrass him then I bet he will continue to choose to avoid social situations and/or activities that might actually help him lose weight. I can't blame him for not wanting to be out and about if he is afraid his clothes are too tight and make him look bad. Sheesh. Poor kid.

[Anonymous]

My son also gained 25 lbs this year of HS and I think that is completely normal and he is not overweight. It's called puberty and growing. He has never fit into his pants in the spring that he wore in the fall.

Lighten his school schedule, make him play a sport, even if it is golf, and buy the poor kid some clothes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you provide clothes that fit

+1

Yes. Please this.

[Anonymous]

1) Buy him clothes that fit.

2) He should see a doctor (and you should not be in the room).

3) You have to look at what food you're buying and what he's eating. You can't outrun your fork. Diet is far more important than exercise in losing weight (or maintaining weight while growing taller).

[Anonymous]

In addition to the PP, do some fun things with him. Go skiing, take a sailing lesson in Annapolis or Washington Harbor, go jump out of a plane, go rock climbing, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son also gained 25 lbs this year of HS and I think that is completely normal and he is not overweight. It's called puberty and growing. He has never fit into his pants in the spring that he wore in the fall.

Lighten his school schedule, make him play a sport, even if it is golf, and buy the poor kid some clothes.

MAKE a high school student play a sport?

[Anonymous]

What is your definition of a fat shaming? At what point are you going to say something? After 10lb? 25, 50 or 100 lb gain?

I don't consider it is a fat shaming to point out that my kid should not order a large size smoothie or to eat the entire portion of the meal at the Chipotle. It is all about the health, and you have to teach them how to take care of your body.

[Anonymous]

PP can you give us the words you would actually use - several examples. I'd really appreciate it. I deal with this issue also and getting the right words that are not shaming, but are helpful is hard. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It is about health not just appearance. If you noticed that your kids was starting to break out in acne, would you ignore it and say nothing. If their teeth were rotting, you would try to help them? If your kid is getting overweight, I think it's child neglect not to try to help them.

[Anonymous]

My DC started breaking out with acne in 7th grade. I really had to work with him to make sure that he was washing and exfoliating on a regular basis. I took him to the Dermo Doctor to get some topic meds too. He got it under control and I know he is grateful that I pushed him before he ruined his beautiful skin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son also gained 25 lbs this year of HS and I think that is completely normal and he is not overweight. It's called puberty and growing. He has never fit into his pants in the spring that he wore in the fall.

Lighten his school schedule, make him play a sport, even if it is golf, and buy the poor kid some clothes.

MAKE a high school student play a sport?

Yes. You can insist that they choose a sport to play, exercise class to attend, tennis lessons, golf lessons etc. They need that physical outlet more than they might know.

It's good that hes walking to school. How long is walk? Does he like bike riding? Maybe he can ride his bike in the afternoons.

[Anonymous]

How old is he? What is his height/weight?

[Anonymous]

OP, you need to have less food in the house. Have lean days where you make sure all the food is eaten before going out to buy more.
Also, it takes a TON of exercise to lose a few pounds.. Remind him that nothing tastes as good as the mile jog it will take to get rid of half of it.
If that doesn't work then go towards zero tolerance of over eating. I have to curb my son. When I bring groceries home, I simply say that if I so much as catch him eating such and such, he is in big trouble. I simply can't afford to feed him to the extent that he wants to eat. I only buy organic eggs, meats, and dairy, so it is expensive. He sees the bills. Also we try to grow our own produce.

[Anonymous]

I'm sure all adults have clothes to accommodate weight gain. My "fat clothes" came out in February- too much chocolate on valentines. Dress your child and talk with him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son also gained 25 lbs this year of HS and I think that is completely normal and he is not overweight. It's called puberty and growing. He has never fit into his pants in the spring that he wore in the fall.

Lighten his school schedule, make him play a sport, even if it is golf, and buy the poor kid some clothes.

MAKE a high school student play a sport?

Yes. You can insist that they choose a sport to play, exercise class to attend, tennis lessons, golf lessons etc. They need that physical outlet more than they might know.

It's good that hes walking to school. How long is walk? Does he like bike riding? Maybe he can ride his bike in the afternoons.

Sure you can insist on it, but what if they nonetheless don't do it?

Or what if they choose (for example) tennis lessons? Are you also going to attend the tennis lessons and insist that they put in an effort level that you consider appropriate?

And is this really worth potentially ruining your relationship with your child over?