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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

DS needs to lose weight, any tips?

35 replies

Hoppinggreen · 30/04/2025 10:05

DS is 16 and has always been larger than his peers in terms of height and build but never really overweight. He is 6ft 2 with size 11 feet and is very broad in his shoulders and chest so will never be slim
However, I have noticed that he has out on weight recently and I have reduced the snacks etc in the house, I make healthy meals but he can be eating a sandwich a couple of hours later. Takeaways are very rare and we don't deep fry or eat beige food.
He has his own money so I can't stop him going to the shop after school to buy rubbish though.
We have always encouraged healthy eating but I am quite overweight and his Dad is slightly overweight but we do try to model healthy eating as well.
I know he has had some teasing at school about it and I think girls are on the horizon but his sister says he has no chance (I know she was being a bit mean there). He was recently dropped from a sport he did since he was 10 as his fitness isn't good enough. I have tried to talk to him before about it but I get teenage shrugs and "whatever"s
He finally weighed himself today (his request) and he weighs 16 stone, which I am horrified by, although obviously I haven't told him.
He has GCSE's soon so I don't want to push him too much right now but has anyone else faced this and can offer any advice?
I don't care what he looks like but I am worried about his health and what it could mean for him socially if he continues to gain weight.

OP posts:
RainyDayCoffee · 30/04/2025 16:45

Watch the portion sizes OP. Eating healthy fruit and Greek yogurt but many times a day is just as terrible (looking at my kids!)
Have an overweight DD so you have my sympathies.
Nothing will change unless they want to change it. And be prepared to face body shaming accusations or being the food police.
MN can go either way sadly.

mathanxiety · 30/04/2025 17:40

@Hoppinggreen

Switch out white rice and pasta for brown and whole grain.

Eat more veggies - they are very filling.

Make sure all bread in the house is whole grain with lots of fibre.

LocalHobo · 30/04/2025 17:52

He isnt excessively overweight. 99 centile, and 91 would be in the healthy range, according to my calculations.
My DS was 6ft 5" at that age and a few pounds heavier so probably a very similar build. He is/was very active, rugby being his number one sport. If you can give your DS the confidence to harness his strength into a physical activity I think it would be very positive. He is likely to continue to get taller and his body will be well balanced by the time he stops growing.

Original poster
Hoppinggreen · 30/04/2025 17:54

Thank you
All bread is already wholemeal but pasta and rice is not, Pasta only eaten around once a week though
I do try with veg but DS not a fan. I put it in everything I cook but on its own he will eat broccoli peas and sweetcorn only

OP posts:
Snorlaxo · 30/04/2025 17:56

My son decided to lose weight at a similar age and became slim.

He admitted his food weaknesses and cut out things like high calorie drinks and became more conscious of how much he ate. We live in the suburbs with supermarkets and fast food nearby so his willpower to avoid those places made a big difference. He eats junk but less often or the lower calorie drinks/smaller size of what he used to eat.

Original poster
Hoppinggreen · 30/04/2025 17:58

LocalHobo · 30/04/2025 17:52

He isnt excessively overweight. 99 centile, and 91 would be in the healthy range, according to my calculations.
My DS was 6ft 5" at that age and a few pounds heavier so probably a very similar build. He is/was very active, rugby being his number one sport. If you can give your DS the confidence to harness his strength into a physical activity I think it would be very positive. He is likely to continue to get taller and his body will be well balanced by the time he stops growing.

ThanksI doubt he will grow more now, he grew at an alarming rate until he hit around 14 and then slowed and has been that height for over a year now.
I think that now growing up has stopped he is just going to grow out
Today he got home around 4 and ate a punnet of strawberries and then I made baked salmon with veggies and he had a banana afterwards
The issue will be in a few hours when he wants a wrap or sarnie or biscuit (there are none)

OP posts:
Original poster
Hoppinggreen · 30/04/2025 18:00

Snorlaxo · 30/04/2025 17:56

My son decided to lose weight at a similar age and became slim.

He admitted his food weaknesses and cut out things like high calorie drinks and became more conscious of how much he ate. We live in the suburbs with supermarkets and fast food nearby so his willpower to avoid those places made a big difference. He eats junk but less often or the lower calorie drinks/smaller size of what he used to eat.

Thank you, gives me hope

OP posts:
Topsy1976 · 30/04/2025 18:05

My son took up boxing and the weight dropped off him - you sweat a lot! Good for self esteem too. Just make sure you check it out so it’s not a dodgy one. Lots of respectable ones around.

WitcheryDivine · 30/04/2025 18:40

Oh yeah good point is he into energy drinks etc? I don’t think making him starve if he’s hungry is the answer but what about something like two boiled eggs and a bit of whole meal toast as a sort of supper? Or carrots and hummus? Cup of homemade soup and a slice of bread?

Original poster
Hoppinggreen · 30/04/2025 19:01

Topsy1976 · 30/04/2025 18:05

My son took up boxing and the weight dropped off him - you sweat a lot! Good for self esteem too. Just make sure you check it out so it’s not a dodgy one. Lots of respectable ones around.

I have suggested this.
I know someone who's brother in law has a proper boxing gym so I can ask DS again
He doesn't buy energy drinks as far as I know but while I don't buy full sugar/caffine sodas and then I don't buy a lot of the Zero stuff anyway I know he does buy the odd one if he goes to the shop himself.

OP posts:
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