From Simone, Child's Age 14 - 05/30/10 - IP#: 24.207.101.xxx Click here to reply
I didn't see my son was fat for a very long time. I'm a single mom and I work a lot, he was never teased in school about his weight and he never said anything about it either. We were going on a vacation a few weeks ago and when we got to the desk to check-in at the airport, the lady there drew me aside and pointed out that I would have to purchase an extra seat for Andrew, my son, because he was not going to fit on one. I argued it and argued it but she wouldn't give in and I gave up and bought an extra one for him. He was absolutely mortified on the plane when he couldn't get into a single seat. I had never seen him so visibly upset as in that moment. It ruined the rest of the holiday for him. Normally he's the first one in the pool, shirt off enjoying himself but he just sat wearing a t-shirt on the pool side and refused to go in. Since we've got back I've noticed he's been eating more but I really don't know how to broach the issue of his weight and get him on the scales. I'm worried for his health as he really is quite a big boy. Please, I need help for him before it's too late.
Reply from Michael, Age 18 - 01/29/14 - IP#: 68.190.0.xxx I feel for your son because during high school the school system had to buy bigger desks to accommodate my larger body size since I couldn't fit in a regular size desk. They also had to buy a reinforced chair for lunch since I had already broken a chair during lunch because the weight limit was 225 lbs.
Reply from annie, Child's Age 16 - 07/07/10 - IP#: 98.150.244.xxx Simone, I was just wondering if you have an update on your son. Has he had his doctor's appointment yet. I'm concerned because one of my sons went through a similar stage between the ages of 11 and 14. He gained a LOT of weight, and had a real hard time, not with teasing but with things like buying clothes, sports, even fitting into desks in school--just adjusting to the fact he went from a little flabby to very fat in just 2-1/2 years. He's now older, has lost some weight (he's by no means thin, still "obese", but he's very active, eats "healthy", and has lots of friends) and doing fine. I'm sure your son will get through this stage of his life fine, too. I'm hoping for the best for both of you.
Reply from annie, Child's Age 16 - 06/12/10 - IP#: 98.150.244.xxx Keep in mind that your son is at an age where boys are VERY sensitive about their bodies. That's why I suggested a male physician rather tha a female. Since your son refused to go walking with you, can you tell him a "little white lie" and say that you want him to accompany you because you don't wan to walk alone for safety reasons? Anything to get him exercising and spending time with you in situations where you DON'T bring up his weight. This is the time of year for most kids to have physicals for school anyway. Call ahead to the doctor and explain your concern about your son's weight so that the doctor can bring it up with your son. Make sure you're NOT in the examining room when the doctor does this. Good luck. As I said, boys this age are very sensitive about changes in their bodies, weight being a major issue.
Reply from Blanch, Child's Age 16 - 06/10/10 - IP#: 71.55.217.xxx If you want your son to lose weight, you need to be the role model. Even if your not overweight and dont need to lose weight. Help him by eating healthy foods with him. Help him by going walking with him or swimming with him. Go on a bike ride to a local Walmart or other store to buy something like a board game or a fun outdoor activity that you two could enjoy together. Doing things together is the key. It will show him that your not just going to be a cheerleader, but you will be his teammate and your going to be committed to helping him lose weight. If you do need to lose weight as well. Make it a fun challenge where you both weigh your selves and then work together to see who can lose the most weight by a certain time period. Make the prize something like if he wins, he doesnt have to do chores for a week or he can stay up later at night for a few weeks. Something cool that he will want. Hope this helps.
Reply from Simone, Child's Age 14 - 06/08/10 - IP#: 24.207.101.xxx Above 300! How much above 300? He doesn't really do any physical activity. He only ever really went in the pool on holidays. I've taken the appointment already but I am worried about him and it is with a female doctor, should I try and get it changed to a male one? I asked him if he wanted to go walking and he just said no and I didn't really want to push it.
Reply from annie, Child's Age 16 - 06/08/10 - IP#: 98.150.244.xxx If he's 14 and stands 5'3" and has to take two seats on an airplane, your son has to weigh far above 300 pounds. Even if the earliest doctors appointment is six weeks away, TAKE IT. The doctor can check your son out for overall health, I'd recommend that your son see a younger male physician. When my son was your boy's age, he was referred to a female doctor and he was mortified. In the meantime, encourage your son to be physically active. Do you walk in the evening? You should if you don't, and ask your son to join you. Don't disucss his weight. If he's as heavy as he seems from what you say, it may be hard for him at first but if you and he keep it up, he'll notice his energy and endurance improving. Encourage him to swim, too, even if he does keep his shirt on.
Reply from Simone, Child's Age 14 - 05/31/10 - IP#: 24.207.101.xxx Thanks for replying Christine. The first doctors appointment I could get for him was in 6 weeks so it doesn't look like that's an option. I really have no idea how to even go about asking him to sit down and talk about it. Whenever I ask him if he thinks he might be eating too much he gets really defensive. It's been a long time since he last went for a doctors checkup. We've moved around a lot over the last few years and he just hasn't been sick so we never went. I don't remember what his weight was the last time he got on the scales but I'm scared of how much it is now. I don't even know how big he would have to be to be taking up two seats on a plane. He's not a particularly tall boy, I think he's about 5ft3 at the moment. Thanks for any further help.
Reply from Christine, Age 18 - 05/31/10 - IP#: 75.104.0.xxx I remember the years of my parents being pulled aside to discuss my weight.... Is there any way to set up a doctor's appointment soon? Since doctors weigh patients during check-ups, s/he would be the one introducing the subject to your son. He definitely notices his weight if he was that self-conscious during the holiday. If there's no way to bring a doctor into this, try sitting him down and bringing up the subject of the airplane seats to see if he has anything to say. If you provide a welcoming environment for him to talk, he'll probably be more likely to talk about his weight, and you can help him find a method to start losing it.
