My child is obese

[tommorang]

I decided to weigh and measure my 11 year old son. Know I new he was a little overweight as he had breasts and small rolls of fat. It turns out he is 5 foot 1 inch and 59 kg wich according to the NHS is very overweight. He has a very healthy diet and I don't know why he is obese what can i do to help he is quite active and eats healthy.

[winchester1]

Is he normally fatter just before a growth spurt so.it could just even out a bit?
Otherwise could you sub some healthier options like skimmed milk, low-fat cheese spread etc. Reduce his snacking or swap for healthier things. Desserts of sugar free jelly and or low fat yogurt.

You say he is quite active do you go on family walks or bike rides or geocaching at the weekends.

[tommorang]

We go for a family walk every weekend and dose extra caricular sporting activities with school and ice skating ou of school he has always been larger but and recently got fater. He is much larger than his friends

[Wolfiefan]

When you say eats healthily what do you mean?

[tommorang]

No prosesed food no biscuits chrisps or cake at least 6 pieces of fruit and veg a day

[Seeyounearertime]

check portions first. even the healthiest diet eaten to excess will cause issues.

I use the general guide of a fist size portion and, going further, the hand portion guide. It's not deadly accurate but i find it a good guide.

[Titsywoo]

I have the same problem although my son is not very active (dyspraxia means he struggles). My son was also eating too much food - it had become normal to us I think for him to eat adult sized portions. It is tough but I have made changes and cut down his intake replacing things with vegetables and not letting him snack except for fruit. I also have enrolled him into a local weight management program for kids - have a look to see what they have in your area. And I went to the GP and he has referred us to a dietician. I worried for a long time about damaging his self esteem etc but he just got bigger. WebMD has a calculator that says what a persons adult height and weight will be if they carry on as they are and it said my son would be 20 stone! I realised at that point I couldn't ignore it anymore. DS is also autistic so I am lucky that he is quite practical and logical and understands why he needs to get healthy (as much as he misses eating more food!).

The fact is he must be eating too much - you need to look at that and maybe talk to him about it. Does it bother him?

[tommorang]

He would eat portage for breakfast some pasta for lunch and some tomato soup for dinner a snack of toast and an apple when he gets in from school

[Titsywoo]

Oh and I don't let him eat unlimited fruit - at least 6 portions a day is a LOT. I would say DS has 2 portions (one between breakfast and lunch if he is hungry - he rarely is) then one after school before dinner.

[VagueIdeas]

Does he maybe buy junk food on the way to/from school?

[Titsywoo]

He must be eating more than that. People don't get fat eating normally sorry. And first you said at least6 portions of fruit but then say he just has one apple after school?

[tommorang]

6 in total including all meals

[northender]

OP stated 6 portions of fruit & veg not just fruit

[Whatdoidohelp]

He is eating more than that to be that massively overweight. Is anyone else giving him snacks/treats ?

[tommorang]

The only place he can get food in the day is the school canteen but I can see what he buys on it online and he didn't get anything. I am so puzzled

[Adeleslostbeehive]

He must be eating more than that. He weights 5kg more than me and I'm 32 and 6 inches taller! He's very, very overweight. Could he be buying his own good also?

[Lurkedforever1]

Doesn't sound like much exercise to me.

[ootsideinbacktaefront]

I'm 5 ft 1 and 59 kilos and defo not overweight (size 10) , does age affect it??

[tommorang]

It is possible he is buying things from the shop I will have to confront him about that if he is I will be angry

[Adeleslostbeehive]

It's 9stone. I'm a size 10 at 5ft 7 and 9 stone. I don't see how someone 5ft1 can't be?

[Wolfiefan]

Please don't be angry about food. That will
Make him hide what he eats, feel guilty and develop huge issues.
If he is ask what and how often and why. He may be hungry or his friends may all be eating it. Work out a way forward together.

[dun1urkin]

oot an adult at 5ft 1, 59kg is right at the top of a healthy BMI, just 2kg more would be overweight (usual BMI disclaimers apply) but I assume it's different for children.

[ootsideinbacktaefront]

Ye im at top but look very slim. I do have ver muscley legs though as run loads. Just points out that not always straight forward

[Radiatorvalves]

He's a little bit taller than my DS who is also 11, but significantly heavier. I think you need to be understanding and non judgemental. Your description of diet sounds v similar to my DSs. A bit less actually. My DS does a lot of sport....but suspect your son is buying stuff. Get some advice though on how to handle it.