School uniform for overweight 5 year old

[Camelia22]

I am new on here and know this is Mumsnet, but I need urgent advice for my overweight grandson.
He is obese and I cannot get school trousers to fit him (he is nearly 5) . I would like to get elasticated trousers in bigger sizes. Have tried Marks but they do not fit.
Does anyone know what would happen if I cannot get a uniform to fit when he starts school (I would have to send him in, in black joggers), or anywhere that I could get advice now it is the school holidays.
Any help appreciated

Just how big is he and where have you tried? Surely the most logical is get some that fit in the waist and tailor them to fit in the length?

Just checking that you’re aware that most of the school trousers in the shops have a button and elastic system inside so you can adjust the waist. (Sorry if you already know this and I’m stating the obvious, but it took me a while to realise that when my son started school!)

Get a size that fits his waist and reduce the leg length.

Not sure if it’s helpful but Asda has plus fitting elastic school trousers, and I find even their ‘regular’ fit come up bigger than other shops like marks and Spencer’s. Worth a look at if you haven’t already

direct.asda.com/george/school/trousers/grey-plus-fit-half-elastic-boys-school-trouser-2-pack/GEM1293173-99584,default,pd.html?clr=Grey

I did not know this. They are a godsend for my skinny daughter, but I never even noticed that that it was adjustable until a friend pointed it out so thank you for mentioning it here. It wasn’t obvious to me!!!

I needed some bigger size fully elasticated trousers for my son who has quite a big bottom, once he aged out of the smallest sizes which have pull up options. he probably would’ve fit into regular size trousers but has poor fine motor skills so couldn’t manage hook and eye fastening. I got these for him but they do options for larger kids too. This site has really detailed measurements and are quite communicative too if you have questions.
https://www.sturdykids.co.uk/happy-trousers-tivoli-fully-elasticated-pull-up-trousers-exclusive-to-sk.html

once I got those I searched on eBay and found a cheaper version and some shorts too from this shop - they’re not finished quite as nicely inside but we don’t mind
https://ebay.us/m/WGZo2C
Not sure if they do even bigger sizes.

Slightly off tangent, but my 5yo got some child BMI thing done at school saying he was obese, yet he fits in school trousers just fine. Just an age year up as he's tall. Just goes to show what a load of hogwash BMI is. Can you get a tailor to alter a pair?

Next also have a plus size range starts from age 3, so worth a try.

Thank you all for your comments and help. I knew I would get some that criticize his weight, which is not helpful, but his mum is in hospital and I am dealing with everything at the moment, including his diet which is much more healthy with me. Hopefully we are getting there.

Well yes obviously, the OP isn't an idiot but how is that helpful?

Sounds like you have a lot going on.Hopefully the suggestions on here help you find the right size for him. And well done for stepping up to help him and your daughter.

No advice but you sound like a really lovely grandmother doing brilliantly under difficult circumstances.

Well that helps her get school trousers 🙄

It’s the child’s grandmother. She’s trying her best and reaching out for help - judgement isn’t going to reverse or help with why a child is obese
in the first place.

OP I agree with trying next and Asda.

and as it’s usually quite hot once the “summer” holidays are over maybe he could start in shorts then they’ll be a few sizes up and just a bit longer? The combat style school shorts tend to come up a bit bigger.

There is uniform out there for all shapes and sizes and it’s like winning a war when you find the outlet that suits your child!!!!

I also wonder if the accessible clothing range would do something more suitable?

George at Asda do a plus size fit with elasticated waists. You might need to buy a bigger size and get the length hemmed up.

Think Tesco do a chunkier fit school uniform as well as Asda but it's not always obvious in-store so worth looking online. Like others have said - the waistband inside is adjustable as well generally, and if the worst is needed you might have to size up and take the length of the legs up.

I have it in reverse with kids with ridiculously long legs and skinny waists - school uniform trousers are a flipping pain!

You could have a look at the school website photos and try to suss out if there are kids in the pictures in joggers!

Thank you all so much for your non judgemental posts, that made me feel so much better. It is actually my DIL that is the child's mother, so it has been difficult for me to interfere at times. My son works long hours and DIL has had ill health for some time, but grandson has lost some weight since he has been with me and we will carry on. Thank you all again for your nice and helpful comments x

Try Next or Asda, they do plus ranges and you may need to go up a couple of ages to get them to fit

Do you have polo shirts and jumpers to buy too?

No trouser advice OP, but it sounds like you're doing brilliantly for your grandson. He's lucky to have you.

Lovely grandma! Keep going - he will remember feeling safe, loved and cared for when he was scared because mummy was poorly and he had a big new start at school.

Most shops sell alternative sizes online for example my child is extremely tall but skinny so I have to order online for the longer lengths. They generally don’t stock them in the shops near me. I know that some shops sell bigger waist trousers. I will try and find a link for you in a moment.

What if they are force fed?

Your statement although commendable is lacking so very lacking in any understanding around child obesity.

On M&S I filtered boys trousers with a plus fit. This is the search result. I would order quickly though as I’ve found that they have sold out quickly the last few years.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/l/kids/school-uniform/trousers/fs5/boys?filter=Body%2520Fit%253DPlus

I got my sons trousers online on asda and they are elasticated and nice and stretchy so you could size up then just use wonderweb to shorten them