From Ted, Child's Age 14 - 08/09/22 - IP#: 91.219.212.xxx  Click here to reply  
Hey guys. Just took custody of my brother’s now 14 year old son. Haven’t seen him in a couple of years and he’s absolutely massive. Went to the doctor for a check in and the boy is 300 pounds at 5’4. Doctor is really concerned. Didn’t realize he was that fat, but should have realized as he’s out of breath when we go for our walks. He likes to eat and is always asking for fast food, apparently my brother fed him a fast food dinner nearly every night.
Anyways, I’m a bit hesitant about putting him on a diet as he’s a bit sensitive and fear that he’ll lash out and sneak behind my back. Also difficult as I’m not his father, but will be his guardian for the foreseeable future. Any thoughts?
Reply from Ted, Child's Age 14 - 09/03/22  - IP#: 91.219.212.xxx
Well that has failed. I tried to cook more but every night I don’t get him fast food he throws a hissy fit. He pretty much refuses to go on walks with me anymore and I can’t drag a 300 pound boy to walk with me. Since he realized that I’m not buying as much junk food as he likes every day he walks to the 7/11 or other store and buys a bag full of cheap snacks, or stops on the way home at some fast food place using money his dad sends him.
His fitness has gotten even worse. Every morning I walk with him to school as it is where I get the train to work. It’s about a half mile walk and he needs to stop and sit halfway through because his legs hurt and he’s out of breath. He doesn’t move at home much, once he sits on the couch he’s pretty much there for the rest of the night. I hear him grunting when he has to get up and it’s sad that a 14 year old is this big.
I’m completely lost with what to do because with the way he’s eating he’s going to get even bigger and have a heart attack or something sooner than later.		 
Reply from Jesse, Child's Age 13 - 08/20/22  - IP#: 174.202.0.xxx
Ted, my son is almost 14 and the same size as your nephew. Keep on walking with him. The exercise is great for him and he'll benefit from the interest you take in him. I wouldn't suggest trying to out him on a diet. When I tried that with my son, it just caused him to be angry and sneak food. Better for both of you to have a good relationship since it seems like you're all he has. Just make sure he keeps active		 
Reply from Mark, Child's Age 14 - 08/14/22  - IP#: 205.250.0.xxx
He likes to eat, and it sounds like he loves junk food; I'm curious what his portions are like. Before you start a diet , maybe let have what he wants for say, a week and count the rough calories of his food intake for the week find the average calories consumed per day for a rough idea of what his baseline is.