DS Weight Gain

[W989]

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.

16-21 is a huge time of growth for men. A small is bound to be too small now unless he is a beanpole. If he doesn't look like he's all fat then he probably will grow. What about telling him he doesn't need to lose weight but could try weight training to tone up?

A size M and a 30/32 waist is perfectly slim enough for a nearly full grown man. My partner is 25 and wears a M and 30 inch waist and he's skinny as anything! He only weighs about 10st and is like a whippet.

Remind him he's becoming a man now and so will obviously become broader and stronger and so will need clothes which fit a man rather than a boy. That's what you need to tell him in a chat. That getting bigger as an adult is something to keep an eye on but at 16-21 it is just part of growing up and becoming a stronger bloke.

Maybe say you're happier to make meals healthier with extra veg etc and will buy less sugar if he wants but that dieting at his age is unhealthy and can damage his growth, muscles and bones.

@CorianderLord I have done and we do eat healthy as a family. I cook a lot.

DS has started exercising more and started eating healthier.