Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DS Weight Gain

104 replies

W989 · 12/10/2020 23:20

DS is 16, 5ft7 and until recently was very active (cycling, walking etc).

He's now started college so busy studying online.

He's never really been overweight, but when he did get a bit of a tummy, he grew.

It was his birthday on the weekend and I bought him a new outfit to wear for a meal out. I bought him his usual size shirt (small) and jeans (28waist). He couldn't wait to wear them. I got him a Tommy hilfiger shirt and Levi jeans. He has asked me to buy them both for him for a while now. But when we were all getting dressed ready to go for the meal, he shouted "Uh oh". I said whats wrong and he showed me that the shirt wouldn't button and the jeans were a few inches from buttoning. He then decided to wear shorts and a tshirt which did fit him. As they were elasticated waist ones.

We went for the meal and we had a great time, albeit socially distanced from others etc.

When we got home he said I'm going to lose weight, I'm upset I couldnt wear my new outfit. I said you're probably growing and not to worry.

Have I done the right thing by saying he's growing and doesnt need to lose weight?

I feel bad for buying him a new outfit that was too small.

OP posts:
Graciebobcat · 13/10/2020 11:24

I don't think he needs to worry unless he has visceral fat on his middle.

PurpleDaisies · 13/10/2020 11:27

I would keep a subtle eye on his eating. I would worry a little about wanting to diet at that size.

Original poster
W989 · 13/10/2020 11:28

@PurpleDaisies I will for sure. He's not the clothes size he was. I did say you're growing etc no need to diet

OP posts:
Graciebobcat · 13/10/2020 11:31

Also sizing isn't consistent, my daughter 15, is 5'5", 9 stone and a size 8 but I had to order size 28/30 school skirt (more like a 12/14) which fits her nicely.

Original poster
W989 · 13/10/2020 11:32

@Graciebobcat Yes I know. I did mention it to him along with I'll get a bigger size

OP posts:
MikeUniformMike · 13/10/2020 11:35

Only read the first page.
I'm surprised at comments that he's not overweight because OP hasn't mentioned his weight, other than he has gained weight.

A size 28 in waist and a small shirt would probably fit a size 10 woman, so sounds very small for a young man, but without knowing his build seem meaningless.

I would suggest that he weighs himself and calculates BMI, but as he is still growing, keeping weight in check rather than losing it.

In my experience, Levi's tend to be on the small side compared with, say, M&S or Next, so exchange them for a larger size.

EmeraldShamrock · 13/10/2020 11:39

Isn't 16 when most male teens change into a young man, not a Dad bod but broader than a young teenager.
The clothes sizes you both are small for a young man plus designer stuff is usually made smaller.

Original poster
W989 · 13/10/2020 11:41

@EmeraldShamrock I shouldnt have bought them. I feel bad for it

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock · 13/10/2020 11:43

@W989 Not at all. Tell him he's becoming a man.
I bought a Tommy swimsuit in my usual size it wouldn't fit my leg or my 11 y.o.
He'll enjoy wearing them when they're the right fit. Smile

EmeraldShamrock · 13/10/2020 11:45

*bought. Sorry late spell check. Blush

Original poster
W989 · 13/10/2020 11:45

@EmeraldShamrock I did and explained he would grow more. But he was certain he was going to diet

OP posts:
Original poster
W989 · 13/10/2020 11:55

@MikeUniformMike he is 5ft7 slim straight up and down build. He has got a rounder tummy and face. He has never carried extra weight as such. Only when he was due to grow and then it soon disappeared. I don't know how much he weighs.

OP posts:
fabulousathome · 13/10/2020 11:55

Check that the new stuff is the same size as what he normally wears. Measure the waistband of the trousers..

It might be that the new one is a little smaller.

Even in the same shop the measurements can differ on items which say they are the same size.

Original poster
W989 · 13/10/2020 11:59

@fabulousathome I based the sizing on his tshirts and shirts in the wardrobe along with his chino trousers and shorts he wears. Although he hasn't worn them for a while.

I will compare the size to the Levi jeans and Tommy shirt

OP posts:
Original poster
W989 · 13/10/2020 12:23

I have until Friday to return the clothes for a refund or exchange. I just hope DS has left the tags on them

OP posts:
Original poster
W989 · 13/10/2020 12:29

@GameSetMatch I did say that to DS.

OP posts:
Original poster
W989 · 13/10/2020 15:54

@WitchesNStuff that's good to know thanks. I did reassure him that he is growing.

OP posts:
kingdomcapers · 13/10/2020 17:01

Transition from school to college/uni is a classic stage for teens to become less active, doubled up with current times where we are all less active. Does he do much activity, could you encourage him to do a bit more, even in a subtle way eg/ walking to avoid public transport, keeping you company at a gym. My DS is 5'10" with a 28", I've no idea what he weighs, he does a lot of sport and eats us out of house and home, but I could see at the beginning of lockdown he got a little bigger but it's gone just as quick since he's back walking to school and playing football

Original poster
W989 · 13/10/2020 18:17

@kingdomcapers

Transition from school to college/uni is a classic stage for teens to become less active, doubled up with current times where we are all less active. Does he do much activity, could you encourage him to do a bit more, even in a subtle way eg/ walking to avoid public transport, keeping you company at a gym. My DS is 5'10" with a 28", I've no idea what he weighs, he does a lot of sport and eats us out of house and home, but I could see at the beginning of lockdown he got a little bigger but it's gone just as quick since he's back walking to school and playing football
Yes he does cycling and walking but hasn't for a while due to college work. I haven't suggested anything regarding exercise as I don't feel that he does need to lose weight. I know it's good for mental health and physical health.
OP posts:
QueenofLouisiana · 13/10/2020 18:25

My DS is 15 and has a 30 inch waist and he’s really slim around his waist! I think that outgrowing a 28 waist at 16 would be pretty normal! He’s likely to grow until the age of 18 or possibly even 21 as a bloke.

For reference, DS is 6’1”, 30 waist, 44 chest (to accommodate swimmer’s shoulders) and weighs about 11stone. He will be 16 next spring.

Original poster
W989 · 13/10/2020 18:40

@QueenofLouisiana

My DS is 15 and has a 30 inch waist and he’s really slim around his waist! I think that outgrowing a 28 waist at 16 would be pretty normal! He’s likely to grow until the age of 18 or possibly even 21 as a bloke.

For reference, DS is 6’1”, 30 waist, 44 chest (to accommodate swimmer’s shoulders) and weighs about 11stone. He will be 16 next spring.

I said to him that he doesn't need to diet. He will keep growing.
OP posts:
Original poster
W989 · 13/10/2020 18:55

Should I have a chat with DS about the clothes?

OP posts:
AuntyMabelandPippin · 13/10/2020 18:59

OP, my DS all grew till they were 21. He'll be about to shoot up. Don't worry.

Original poster
W989 · 13/10/2020 19:00

@AuntyMabelandPippin I'm worried about him though. He said he wants to lose weight so the clothes fit

OP posts:
AuntyMabelandPippin · 13/10/2020 19:11

Tell him it's normal to put weight on and then lose it.

All of mine (I've four) did this, and were extremely skinny till they got into their twenties and left home, cos they found it easier to buy takeaways than cook properly. Grin

The two that go to the gym have filled out, the other two (who are the younger two) are still in 28/30 waist trousers.

Swipe left for the next trending thread