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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:
PruthePrune · 09/08/2025 23:44

@beachwalkx

Strange interpretation. Childhood obesity caused by medical issues is rare. The majority of obese children have poor diets which is the parent's fault.

mumof1or2 · 10/08/2025 00:36

I used to buy my son’s school trousers from this eBay shop as he couldn’t fit into the traditional ones.

https://ebay.us/m/YSsVdY

Bubbletrain · 10/08/2025 04:44

BunnyBloom17 · 09/08/2025 22:44

Regardless, your point is invalid. There are reasons as to why children can be overweight. Hashimoto's, ARFID etc. please don't comment on stuff you're so clearly uneducated on. I wish you a peaceful life

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Obesity in childhood, regardless of pf a childa diagnosis, is on the parents and it is abuse. That is my opinion and I stand by it. Your sweeping comments about ND children are uneducated and lame. Peace be with you ✌️

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

5 year olds Behaviour & development General education General parenting
Bubbletrain · 10/08/2025 04:46

SuchiRolls · 09/08/2025 23:16

Neither is it to judge other parents because their children are, but here we go.

I am also a parent of 3 ND children who keeps my opinions to myself because judgement can be cast in any direction. I could question if your children are regulated and happy because of their diet. I could say I don’t believe that all ND children are happy if they can’t eat whatever they want and be overweight. Guess what, I don’t because it’s none of my business. I don’t live in your house so I’m not equipped to make comment. Don’t try and push your beliefs and judgement on to everyone.

In addition, who the hell is assessing who is overweight? Charts that were compiled decades ago quite likely and don’t take in to account genetics or lifestyle. (I checked and they are WHO charts from at birth and beyond the age of 4 to 16 and compiled in the 1990’s from 1980’s data!). There’s a reason why they follow percentile charts from birth to 16. All 3 of mine are still within the same percentile that they were at birth…but classed as overweight if you looked at the median. My youngest is autistic with a learning delay. There would be no person alive on earth that could get him to eat things he doesn’t want to. What say you? Starve them to death for not complying with healthy eating rules? Probably not.

Why can’t people just stick to the topic and mind their own business. As I would be doing, if I didn’t feel the need to point out that every situation is different. Stop it with the judgey nonsense please.

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Wow. 🤯

Roothewheel · 10/08/2025 06:17

I could say I don’t believe that all ND children are happy if they can’t eat whatever they want and be overweight. Guess what, I don’t because it’s none of my business.

Do you actually believe this @SuchiRolls ?

Betty1625 · 10/08/2025 08:40

Find that Tesco plus size school trousers are more generous than other brands
Failing that, there are sellers on amazon and Ebay selling plus size school trousers, but they are very generous with their waist fit, don't go by the age size, go by measurements https://amzn.eu/d/3rudXzU

Mama2many73 · 10/08/2025 09:07

TorturedParentsDepartment · 07/08/2025 10:46

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!

I can recall standing in C&Achanging rooms, (many moons ago!!) complaining with another mum about school trousers!
Our DS, small waist, rugby player legs was in their 'sturdy' range with legs that had to be hemmed up and waist not tight enough. Her son came out and was skinny with really long legs, if the legs fit the waist was massive!! I realised then that uniform issues was not just about big/overweight kids!!

Bleachedlevis · 10/08/2025 09:56

Thankfully, lots of posters have offered OP helpful advice and information for getting school uniform for an overweight child.

But MN (= Meangirlsnet) raises its ugly head again; and the Witches in the Wings are lurking ready to spring centre stage with their neuro-diverse/poor diet/UPF/poor parenting uncalled for crap.

Always the same on MN but many posters make such good contributions that I stick with it. Often, I fall between anger and laughing my head off. Better if I laugh… 😀
Good luck, OP. I hope you get sorted with the uniform. 🌺

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/08/2025 09:58

Camelia22 · 07/08/2025 10:16

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.

You sound like a lovely mum/granny 😊

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/08/2025 10:01

Blank1234 · 07/08/2025 12:32

Genuinely shocked a 5 year is so overweight/obese that you can’t get school trousers to fit 🤯

I genuinely hope he continues to lose weight with you, and stays that way. I don’t understand how parents (your son included) can allow a child to gain so much weight to get to this predicament at such a young age. Your grandson will no doubt be bullied in school, poor thing.

You’re doing your best for him and I applaud that. I hope you find suitable trousers, and I hope you continue to help him lose weight.

The woman is doing her bloody best in very, very trying circumstances and you decide to give her yet one more thing to worry about. Well, aren’t you lovely? Not.

Original poster
Camelia22 · 10/08/2025 10:12

Thank you again for your extremely helpful posts. I have ordered some school shorts from Listers, but may also go down the route of sending him in jogging bottoms as well.

I have brought up 4 sons, all adults now, so I am quite experienced with boys. But things have changed so much.
It has reassured me that I did not feel so alone on here and am glad that I found this website. All the lovely people that sent kind messages thank you so much.
I am shocked at some of the messages had to be deleted by the modifier, I am sure if they was in this position they would gladly accept help.
Hopefully when he starts school we can get some help there with him as well xx

OP posts:
SuchiRolls · 10/08/2025 10:33

Roothewheel · 10/08/2025 06:17

I could say I don’t believe that all ND children are happy if they can’t eat whatever they want and be overweight. Guess what, I don’t because it’s none of my business.

Do you actually believe this @SuchiRolls ?

No, of course not but neither do I feel it’s ok to go around stating offensive things like “no child should ever be overweight!” It’s purposefully antagonistic and not even relevant to the OP’s post. What I feel is people should mind their own business before casting judgement on others.

Whyherewego · 10/08/2025 10:34

The plus size are helpful pr I used to buy bigger ages and then just cut and hem the trousers down to the right size.

TinyTempest · 10/08/2025 10:37

Rather than send him in joggers, wouldn't you just buy a much bigger size and take the legs in and up with a sewing machine?

Even if you don't have a machine most local dry cleaners offer alterations.

Bleachedlevis · 10/08/2025 10:53

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/08/2025 10:54

Whyherewego · 10/08/2025 10:34

The plus size are helpful pr I used to buy bigger ages and then just cut and hem the trousers down to the right size.

Didn’t work with ours who was very tall and extremely skinny. The bigger the size, the wider the legs and they just flapped about 😁

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/08/2025 10:56

Just another thought OP. Do you have anyone nearby who could make to measure? We are very lucky in our fairly small town that a couple of Eastern European ladies who are incredibly skilled seamstress but who don’t charge a fortune have set up shop.

TheFormidableMrsC · 10/08/2025 11:01

I haven’t read the whole thread but I work in a school and we have kids of all shapes and sizes. At primary they tend to be a bit more relaxed with uniform. Some kids can wear plain joggers or jogger shorts and then whatever the rest of the uniform is (presume sweatshirt and polo shirt?). I’d just size up in that and buy wide fit polos (Asda do them). There is a website called “Sturdy Kids”
and places like Sainsburys also do wider fit trousers. Buy them asap as they sell out so quickly at this time of year.

Sounds like you’re doing a wonderful job and that the little one has had a tough time and a lot to cope with. I had a bigger child, with SEN related eating issues. I also struggled with uniform at times so I know how it can be. He’s now 14
and tall and slim. It all evens out in the end. I hope your DIL makes a speedy recovery.

Bambamhoohoo · 10/08/2025 11:02

I’m so pleased the younger generation seem more accepting and understanding of different bodies and kinder. Such a refreshing alternative to our generation of bitter nasty eating disorder fuelled losers.

Argh25 · 10/08/2025 11:17

This may not be practical for you, but if you're really struggling could you buy a sewing pattern and make some trousers for him (or find a willing friend who could run up a pair?) - just until his BMI evens out. My mum always says if you feed them right and they get enough fresh air, then kids grow up then out or out then up.

Blank1234 · 10/08/2025 12:46

BunnyBloom17 · 09/08/2025 22:49

arfid??? No??? Are you even a parent? It is very much common knowledge that children who have ASD are more commonly overweight, due to food aversions or lack of interest in physical activity. You cannot force a child into doing things they do not want. Okay yes not ideal to have a child who is medically 'obese' but unfortunately it's the world we live in. Grow up

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Yes I’m a parent, 2 ND, 2NT. All slim. You need to grow up and think before you post bullshit.

Blank1234 · 10/08/2025 12:49

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/08/2025 10:01

The woman is doing her bloody best in very, very trying circumstances and you decide to give her yet one more thing to worry about. Well, aren’t you lovely? Not.

Show quote history

I’ve not given her another thing to worry about at all. OP is very clearly a lovely, level headed, well rounded adult, who knows exactly how things will be at school. I did indeed comment on how good she was for recognising this, doing what she’s doing, and wished her well.

Blank1234 · 10/08/2025 12:50

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Hahahah really. Try reading my posts again.

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/08/2025 12:52

Blank1234 · 10/08/2025 12:49

I’ve not given her another thing to worry about at all. OP is very clearly a lovely, level headed, well rounded adult, who knows exactly how things will be at school. I did indeed comment on how good she was for recognising this, doing what she’s doing, and wished her well.

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Yes you have. Bullying of/by 5 year olds for whatever reason simply didn’t happen when our children were that age at school. 25 years on, with a 5 year old grandchild, it still doesn’t.

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