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Overweight (almost) teen

4 replies

lem73 · 07/09/2012 16:18

My oldest son will turn 13 next month and over the last few months we've noticed he's been gaining weight. I checked out his BMI today and was shocked to discover he is in the 89th centile which is classed as overweight. When he was weighed last year at the end of year 6, we got a letter to say he was in the normal range.
I don't know what to do to help him. He is a sporty boy and is out training for rugby, swimming and football three nights a week and playing saturdays and sundays. My husband and I are health conscious and I've always been careful about the kind of food my children eat. I really can't think what tweaks we can make in our lifestyle so my husband wants to get draconian and put my son on a calorie controlled diet.
Has anyone ever been in this situation - tried to encourage a healthy lifestyle but their child still ended up obese? Is it possible given my son is about to turn 13, that he's about to have a growth spurt? I really want to help my son because I worry if he's heavier and therefore slower it will affect his sports, which he really loves.

OP posts:
Jellykat · 07/09/2012 18:35

I have to say my previously porky 14 year old has suddenly shot up in the last 6 months, he is the same weight but much much taller (shoe size has increased by 2 sizes too) , i think its quite common..

If your DS not eating rubbish, and seems healthy apart from the weight issue, i would try not to worry.

Goldenjubilee10 · 09/09/2012 21:58

I would not put him on a calorie controlled diet. He may well be about to grow. If he is doing that much exercise and eating healthily it will most likely sort itself out. I would keep an eye on what he is drinking though. If he is doing a lot of sport he will need fluid replacement. Check that it's water he is drinking and not lots of fruit juices.

lem73 · 10/09/2012 14:22

Thanks for your advice. I am going to get tough on snacking and portion sizes as if I need any more things to argue with a 13 year old with!

OP posts:
talkingnonsense · 10/09/2012 20:34

Make sure he eats enough- being hungry can lead to secret/ binge eating. Keep it healthy but be careful, if he isn't obviously overeating he may well be due a growth spurt.

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