DS saying he's fat when he's not. When to worry?

[Wicker382]

DS is 11. He started secondary school in September, all going well. The last few weeks he's been talking about various things 'wrong' with him- he thinks his smile is too wide, teeth are crooked, eyebrows look like slugs, spine is a weird shape. Tonight's is that he thinks he's chubby, he said he doesn't like bending over in pe as he gets a roll of fat on his stomach.

He's a lovely looking lad, very average build, always followed 50th centile for height and weight and I'm guessing he's still around that now (I stopped checking).

Does this sound like normal pre teen self consciousness or something more? He has started puberty. Hes eating well but its starting to worry me. No bullying going on but some of the kids are generally mean, swear at him and his mates etc. He's not being specifically targeted though and is generally happy to go to school every day.

It,s difficult because yes in high school they get more self aware and more taunts. But Their is a diffference from slight insecurity to feeling anxiety, body loathing. Sometimes it,s a thin line. How about focusing on health/fitness. Can he do some excercise, eat in a healthy way. Don,t make it about loosing weight but how to live a healthy lifestyle?

DS is 13 and a lot of the photos shared on Instagram by secondary school boys is them showing off their 'abs' would he feel happier if you helped him do some exercise, not from a weight loss perspective, more from a healthy lifestyle point of view. DS and his friends tend to be members of several sports teams and visit the gym.

Yeh he is healthy, he goes out on his bike a lot. Weve told him that if he wants to get fitter then thats fine but he absolutely doesn't need to loose weight.

We're going to bombard him with compliments. Even if he doesn't believe them, hopefully they'll sink in subconsciously.

Thanks bunny, I feel like we're a couple of years off gym membership and six packs. I hope so anyway! Dh has said he can go jogging if he wants to get fitter, with the emphasis on fitter.