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Original poster

School uniform for overweight 5 year old

213 replies

Camelia22 · 07/08/2025 09:42

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

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 09/08/2025 19:20

Sorry, I should have read all your posts. Have now read the post explaining that your grandson's parents are your DIL who's in hospital and your son who works long hours. I really think he needs to step up and do more for his son, it can't be easy having a demanding job and an unwell wife but he is still a father. He shouldn't be leaving it all to you.

Jamandtoastfortea · 09/08/2025 19:22

what about school shorts? My son always wore the cargo style year round as he liked the loose feel. They all have adjustable waists and are readily available in M&S, Tesco, Asda etc. Might be easier for him to get on and off too? Alternatively I’d go with the idea of getting bigger ones shortened too - probably wouldn’t be hard to do. Other option is that a lot of girls primary school trousers are stretch jersey, prob in reception he’d be none the wiser?

finally, can you find a way to check he def needs formal trousers in reception? Ours has just switched to jogging bottoms for reception as they do so much outdoor play… is there a school Facebook group you could ask on?

KiltyKaz · 09/08/2025 19:24

Only thing l can think of is getting a hem taken up. Either by a seamstress or the iron on stuff like wonderweb.

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Orangemouse25 · 09/08/2025 19:25

I get my boys trousers from Sturdy Kids online, they do plus size school wear with a generous fit. They are based in Gloucestershire but mail out the orders.

Mamabailey · 09/08/2025 19:33

Don’t worried about people on here going on about his weight. It’s something you are dealing with and it sounds like you have a lot on your plate!!
I found nexts trousers very good when my boy was a little on the chubby side (he broke his foot) I felt like I’d gone to every shop trying to find something to fit!! I did end up tailoring some trousers, wonder web is your best friend!!! 😜but for nursery they said they actually preferred reception kids in joggers as they tend to get distracted and hurry to go for a wee!

OhWifey · 09/08/2025 19:33

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Except maybe an injury to the hypothalamus. Good not to be entirely reductive.

OneNeatBlueOrca · 09/08/2025 19:35

Hubblebubble · 07/08/2025 09:58

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?

The OP literally says she can't get trousers to fit him. So BMI isnt hogwash is this case.

Bubbletrain · 09/08/2025 19:37

BunnyBloom17 · 08/08/2025 18:24

And what if the children question is neurodivergent?? More common for neurodivergent children to be overweight. Not always down to 'piss poor parenting'

That's no excuse. I have 3 ND children and none of them are overweight. My DS is ND and is overweight because my parents neglect her and feed her crap. It is about the parenting.

Liliwen · 09/08/2025 19:40

OhWifey · 09/08/2025 19:33

Except maybe an injury to the hypothalamus. Good not to be entirely reductive.

Show quote history

Or taking steroid medication.

ILovedThe90s · 09/08/2025 19:42

Find a pair of trousers that fit him round the waist and then shorten them to the correct length. Quite easy to do with no sew hem tape, there are lots of YouTube videos on how to do it.

Familyhistoryaddict33 · 09/08/2025 19:44

you can usually find fully elasticated trousers on Amazon, I used to buy them for my son at primary school as he needed bigger around the waist but shorter leg and he struggled with fasteners! Also trutex have good fit ranges for different shapes and sizes!

schoolstruggle · 09/08/2025 19:50

You are doing a great job. Next plus size trousers are fab. The waist band is adjustable.

My son has struggled with his weight through childhood for various reasons. Partly he’s predisposed to be bigger build, as am I, as was my father’s side. But then he had severe severs and struggled with movement - gained weight. Then he had a strep illness which caused mental health issues and the medication caused weight gain. We eat home cooked food so it’s not our diet. We were told it’s the portion size but a meal for 2 was being shared between 3 of us. The last 12 months (he’s almost 15) he’s been slimming down and there is no fat on him now (pinch test) but he’s got the thickest legs I’ve ever seen and massive shoulders. He’s still classed as overweight /obese by NHS but enter his weight/height into a standard BMI calculator and it’s in a normal range.

Swimming is a great exercise for kids and they love it. All he needs is fresh air, healthy dinners and less “bad” foods. If that isn’t showing results you might need to check in with Gp to see if there is anything medical going on x

Silvertulips · 09/08/2025 19:53

I had the same problem only DD was tiny. He started school in joggers. I wouldn’t over think it.

Silvertulips · 09/08/2025 19:54

I would add, schools don’t overly care at this young age, it’s not compulsory. He should be comfortable.

Bleachedlevis · 09/08/2025 19:59

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FFS. Have you got any sense at all?

Kreepture · 09/08/2025 20:02

another voting for trutex trousers.

While my DD was the other end of school (just done gcse) she was er.. well blesses in the hips/behind department and finding trousers that worked for her figure was a nightmare.

We split between M&S elasticated waist jersery style, and the Trutex fitted school trousers. Both are on the more spendy side, but comfort is everything, and wearing something that fits looks a hell of a lot better than wearing something bodge-adjusted to fit.

Don't be afraid to buy bigger and ask for help from a proper seamstress, there's usually one around if you ask on local pages!

Tiswa · 09/08/2025 20:04

Trutex sturdy fit have always served us well I found supermarkets brands to not be as good!

BigKnix · 09/08/2025 20:05

Camelia22 · 07/08/2025 09:42

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

There is a website called sturdykids.co.uk and you will likely find some that fit him there. They are more costly, but very hard wearing, you can also get full elasticated waisted ones that are unhemmed, so you can drop the hem as he gets taller

feejee · 09/08/2025 20:05

M&S plus fit, then shorten. (Can only buy online). Or next had some soft waist band but smarties looking grey trousers my son wore last year. Most kids at 5 are in Joggers at his school. I've had to get trousers from Sturdy Kids this year as he's going to high school and M&S haven't got bigger sizes in stock.

YelloDaisy · 09/08/2025 20:06

Can’t a seamstress/tailor take a large size up for you?

bluecrochetedplane · 09/08/2025 20:09

NameChange30 · 09/08/2025 19:20

Sorry, I should have read all your posts. Have now read the post explaining that your grandson's parents are your DIL who's in hospital and your son who works long hours. I really think he needs to step up and do more for his son, it can't be easy having a demanding job and an unwell wife but he is still a father. He shouldn't be leaving it all to you.

She asked for advice on where to buy uniform?? You've clearly misunderstood the question

LGBirmingham · 09/08/2025 20:12

Blackcarrots · 07/08/2025 12:35

My dd was despite no family history of obesity and having a healthy diet . We never got to the bottom of it and even had SS involvement at one point. She was huge from about 6 months - 4.5 years. Was unusually short too for our family , had a massive growth spurt and had slimmed a lot by 5 then by 5.5 was really slim. Never found out why

Show quote history

My ds has done something similar. At 18 months he had a hospital visit and was measured there. 9th centile for height and 75th for weight. Now at 4 and 3/4s he's 75th for both.

TiredAH · 09/08/2025 20:14

Next has some pull on school trousers. The waist is adjustable and the fabric feels lovely.
I bought a size 4-5 for my almost 5y old who is starting in September, but they had plenty more sizes with adjustable features. They do long and shorter lengths, and different shapes (skinny, straight, wide leg).

Also MS does pull on. You might need to size up, whatever fits his waist, and adjust length.
Ive been overweight all my life, and as a child that’s what my mum had to do with all my clothes except tracky bottoms.

I know you haven’t asked, but M&S also do extra wide shoes for boys! Sadly my little one inherited my platypus feet and has been an ordeal! (But M&S and kickers have been the winners)