From Charles, Child's Age 16 - 04/07/18 - IP#: 76.90.57.xxx Click here to reply
Recently my son Zach has been putting on a good amount of weight. He had started lifting in 9th grade and was decently heavy, but it was nearly all muscle. His weight didn't change for a year, but now I've noticed that a decent layer of fat has been building up on him. His eating habits at home haven't changed and we all eat pretty healthy. He started at around 175, but now hes approaching 195. He plays water polo and still goes to the gym, though a little less often than before. But he doesn't seem to know that hes really getting bigger, his shirts that once fit good, now show his belly, and his speedos at polo are looking really tight. Please help
Reply from Janis, Child's Age 13 - 07/13/18 - IP#: 66.91.143.xxx How is your son Zach doing, Charles?
Reply from Dave, Child's Age 14 - 05/31/18 - IP#: 77.16.210.xxx I try to encourage healthy choices and physical activity for my sons. At 14 and 16, it is not possible to force them into anything, but being as good an example myself, be physically active and reduce the junk food and snacks is my approach.
Reply from Janis, Child's Age 13 - 05/18/18 - IP#: 66.91.143.xxx Charles, if your son is like my 13-year-old son, I don't think he cares that he's fat. A couple of weeks ago, a co-worker of mine invited those of us at work who have kids 13/14 years old to a pool party/ cookout to celebrate her daughter's 14th birthday. My son said some of his friends were invited too. Yesterday afternoon I came home from work and picked Paul up. He was wearing a tee shirt and a bathing suit which was very tight on him. He told me had borrowed it from a friend. At the party (which went well), all the boys had their tee shirts off. My son was the heaviest (in 3 years he's gone from 75 pounds to 240, while growing 9 inches in height). He (like all the other kids there) ate like there was no tomorrow. The "bithday girl" who is very plump, was wearing a bikini!. This morning before I left for work I made a point of talking to my son about his weight. (I was shocked when I saw him with no tee shirt and too-tight swimming trunks yesterday). I showed him this website and how he weighs double what he should (his BMI is more than 37!). It made no impression on him at all. His excuses are: he's hungry all the time; he needs to eat so he can bulk up for football next August, being big runs in our family (true, except for me), his friends are "big" (the term he uses instead of "fat") and none of their parents bug them about their weight (who knows?---but that's his excuse. When I was in middle and high school, the chubby/fat kids always seemed to be wearing tee shirts when swimming to cover up their size. That doesn't seem to happen now. In a way, I'm happy my son is self-confident enough to walk around shirtless. My son does lift weights (not too seriously though) but trust me, his size is not muscle, it's just fat. I just don't think he (and probably your son too) see themselves as too fat. I think it's like an anorexic who is very thin and still thinks he/she is too fat. I wonder if my Paul and your Zach (and yesterday's birthday girl) look at themselves in the mirror and see a thin kid instead of a chubby/fat kid. I don't want to "fat shame" my son, but how can I get him to see see how huge he is?
Reply from Charles, Child's Age 16 - 05/06/18 - IP#: 76.90.57.xxx I talked to him, and he's pretty indifferent about it. He knows its happened, but I don't get the feeling that he cares. I don't think its a major issue right now, but Id rather it not become one in the future.
Reply from Tom, Child's Age 10 - 04/30/18 - IP#: 73.243.147.xxx Tom, how much does your son weigh? and did he put it on recently? My son was ~50 pounds overweight and I worked with him on an exercise plan. It was hard at first but I think well worth it
Reply from Ben, Child's Age 11 - 04/29/18 - IP#: 185.153.179.xxx I would love some advice on bringing up the subject of weight with my son. Don't want to make him feel bad or anything, but do want to address his weight gain.
Reply from tom, Child's Age 10 - 04/29/18 - IP#: 73.243.147.xxx have you talked to him about it yet? i am worried about my son and i think the best way to go about it is to bring it up.
Reply from Charles, Child's Age 16 - 04/26/18 - IP#: 76.90.57.xxx Hi Tom, I think my son has noticed, but im not sure. Most of his friends are fit but they don't tease him or anything.
Reply from Tom, Child's Age 10 - 04/21/18 - IP#: 73.14.235.xxx Does he seem to notice or care? Are his friends big? Do they make fun of him?
