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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think after lockdown teenagers need to lose weight?

141 replies

Alisonshaw · 16/02/2021 23:00

I know during lockdown alot of us have relaxed and probably snacked alot more than we should have and I know that his has unfortunately extended to my teenage DS too. He is 17 and has piled on the weight over lockdown. I wouldn't say obese but certainly something to keep an eye on. Do we need to make more of an effort nationally to help us all lose some weight, but particularly children before it is too late?
Maybe schools need to introduce more PE (although with stretched timetables this would be very challenging) or maybe a national measurement program of older teens. Maybe just a bit of time to get over the stress of the last year we and our DC have been through?

OP posts:
LouNatics · 16/02/2021 23:14

During home schooling ive realised just how poor my children’s physical education has been at school. They knew next to nothing about the physiology of exercise and had no motivation to do any. Having previously thought they were getting a goodly amount of exercise at school I have now revised my opinion and enforced proper sustained periods of activity. Including why they should do it, it’s effects on the body and the different types of exercise. They are happier now. I don’t know if they’ve put on weight, I’d hope so at prime growth spurt time over the course of the year, but they are fitter.

Howshouldibehave · 16/02/2021 23:15

My teens aren’t overweight because of lockdown!

Why don’t you ‘look in the mirror’ at the people in your house if you want someone to blame here-this isn’t for schools or the state to fix!

LawnFever · 16/02/2021 23:15

@Alisonshaw

Perhaps a national measurement program is a step too far and I understand that there are far too many negative consequences and eating disorders of all kind should not be worsened or created by such a program but I do think that as a society we need to be careful to not let obesity become the norm and that we do need to take a look in the mirror at the deep realities.
Why don’t you concentrate on your son’s issue which you’ve realised he has, and let everyone else figure themselves out.

This isn’t an issue for schools or society it’s for individuals and families

Justmuddlingalong · 16/02/2021 23:18

Some people's passing of any responsibility onto anyone but themselves really boils my piss.

Wanderlust20 · 16/02/2021 23:18

Not every teenager has gained weight Hmm As some have pointed out, they've went the other due to health issues...

grapewine · 16/02/2021 23:18

Surely this is an issue to deal with within the family? Not everything is down to "society" to sort out. Schools and teachers have enough to deal with.

SleepingKitten · 16/02/2021 23:18

That's about the age my eating disorders first started to raise their ugly head. I still struggle 15 years later.
A National measurement programme would have been disastrous for me, and that's without a pandemic thrown in for good measure.

MsAwesomeDragon · 16/02/2021 23:19

Some teenagers will need to lose weight, just like some adults will need to lose weight (me included).

Some teenagers will need to put weight on though, as there's been a huge rise in eating disorders during lockdown as well.

A blanket approach isn't going to work, because there are so many different needs in the teenage population. Schools will probably continue to offer all the sports clubs they always have. I think there's something happening every day for kids who want to join at my school.

Original poster
Alisonshaw · 16/02/2021 23:19

I have don't exactly that. I've identified the issue along side my DS and we are working to change our habits. But on a national scale obesity is getting worse and it has consequences for all of us. It's our taxes that fund our NHS that help treat obesity related conditions and perhaps we should try to help people make right choices. We have already seen government schemes to try to tackle the problem, and a national measurement program already exists to offer support to families that need it.

OP posts:
LunaHeather · 16/02/2021 23:20

Choking on the nanny state crap, no room to put my food in my gob

Look after your DC as you see fit.

I imagine teens will be out drinking as soon as they can and I don't blame! I'm actually looking forward to the random drunk teens you get in the park in summer going "oh haiiiiii, are you enjoying your walk" etc. Normally I just smile and keep going but this summer I might hug them!

MrsPernicious · 16/02/2021 23:20

Our DC have not been told to stay inside for a year. They have been encouraged to go outside for exercise everyday.

Your family has a weight problem, own it and do something about it.

JackieWeaverIsTheAuthority · 16/02/2021 23:21

Well my teen doesn’t. If yours does I’m not sure why you would leave it to his school to sort out. You can get him exercising now.

LunaHeather · 16/02/2021 23:21

@Alisonshaw

I have don't exactly that. I've identified the issue along side my DS and we are working to change our habits. But on a national scale obesity is getting worse and it has consequences for all of us. It's our taxes that fund our NHS that help treat obesity related conditions and perhaps we should try to help people make right choices. We have already seen government schemes to try to tackle the problem, and a national measurement program already exists to offer support to families that need it.
There you You've just we have stuff

I don't want any more thanks

LunaHeather · 16/02/2021 23:21

*There you go
*You've just said

UserID779 · 16/02/2021 23:22

@Alisonshaw

I don't think it is necessarily for schools to sort out but it is fact that more and more children are becoming overweight and obese. And because it's so normal more and more people are failing to recognise a problem. Our children have been told to stay inside for almost a year and that is bound to have consequences on activity levels.
They haven’t been told to stay inside ever. They have been allowed to go out to exercise every day since this all began.
Providora · 16/02/2021 23:22

I do think that as a society we need to be careful to not let obesity become the norm

As individuals and parents we need to do that!

Your OP reads like you've had him home and let him eat too much, now you want the government and schools to fix it.

Both my teen boys eat less junk in lockdown than they normally would because they can only eat what I bring into the house. The 15yo has lost weight as a result, they are both healthy weight and have managed to keep most of their fitness with a daily run/walk and some basic exercise equipment I bought.

DrCoconut · 16/02/2021 23:22

Definitely not more PE. Less if anything so schools can focus on teaching what is necessary for catch up (so PE as an exam subject would still happen). It's the parents' responsibility to sort out their child's health. I'd have metaphorically run a mile at that age if I was told I'd have to spend yet more time freezing on a netball court. As for needing to lose weight, some will some won't.

WaltzesWithSnobs · 16/02/2021 23:22

During lockdown my bathroom sink has become blocked. I think we need a National Bathroom Check where the adequacy of everyone's bathroom is measured. Any and all required repairs must be performed promptly.

Bunnybigears · 16/02/2021 23:22

What a strange generalisation, my teen doesnt need to lose weight, he hasn't been as active as usual during lockdown but he has done at least 30 minutes proper exercise a day as well as dog walks etc and never eats to excess or an unreasonable amount of junk food.

chilledteacher · 16/02/2021 23:23

My teenager has lost a significant amount of weight in lockdown. No eating disorder.
Waiting on blood test results to see if there is anything underlying, it's a worry.

As a teacher though OP, schools really do have enough to be getting on with without this added to our list of responsibilities. I agree that a renewed focus on healthy image/healthy eating/physical exercise would be great but sadly it isn't what we are accountable for.

Scr1bblyGum · 16/02/2021 23:24

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/health-55468632

Now is really not the time to do it.

Justmuddlingalong · 16/02/2021 23:25

Who's buying his snacks if he's not going out?

Titsywoo · 16/02/2021 23:25

My dd16 lost some weight (she's just over 8 stone) and ds stayed the same (9.5 stone) but got taller so both are still at a normal weight. Several of their friends have gained a fair bit of weight though.

SleepingKitten · 16/02/2021 23:25

"and a national measurement program already exists to offer support to families that need it."

Yeah, they go in and weigh 4 year olds in school and then write letters to the parents of the kids their arbitrary measures deem to be overweight.
From experience, a lot of the time this is down to a child's build (shock! We aren't all built the same!) but that isn't taken into account at all.

Just because something already exists, doesn't make it a good thing or something that should be extended further

AmelieTaylor · 16/02/2021 23:27

@Alisonshaw

Perhaps a national measurement program is a step too far and I understand that there are far too many negative consequences and eating disorders of all kind should not be worsened or created by such a program but I do think that as a society we need to be careful to not let obesity become the norm and that we do need to take a look in the mirror at the deep realities.
Just another fat bashing thread...so fucking tedious.

Teenagers here have to be careful not to slip down drains - certainly don't need to lose weight.

Look after your own child & your own business.