Chubby 13 year old

[jo90]

My lovely son has suddenly put on lots of weight around his middle. It's making him very upset (even though I think it's probably puberty) He loves his fattening food (as did his older brother, 21, who is now as thin as a rake) but he doesn't eat much meat and vegs are a bit of a problem too!Can anyone recommend a diet for kids that's not too drastic (he probably needs to get rid of 8lbs or so, but he needs to feel full, Any suggestions gratefully received

[CheekyChops]

I'm sorry but as you admit, he loves fattening food - he needs to stop eating so much of it!!

Some people are able to eat whatever they like and remain skinny forever - not me I hasten to add - but most people aren't.

You son is only 13 and his chubbiness could be down to puberty but whatever it is down to, basically he needs to eat a balanced diet and cut down (I won't say cut out, even I can't do that) on crisps, chocolate, McDonalds type burgers, chinese takeaways etc. Just the usual 5 portion of fruit and/or veg, cut down on fat etc etc.

Don't serve up chips with every meal (I'm not for one second suggesting that you do) and try and make meals interesting and different.

I follow Slimming World diet and am really good during the week, Friday and Saturday I have a couple of days off and eat pretty much what I like - if I want a kebab and chips, I have one. At least that way I don't feel deprived of anything, I can still eat takeaways, sausage rolls, chips etc. I have lost nearly 3 stone so far.

I appreciate that it is more difficult for a 13 year old who wants to eat what his mates eat, but even giving him the healthy options at home will go someway toward compensating for the cr@p he may eat at school or elsewhere.

[grumpii]

Let him do his thing! Try and intrest him in activities that will make him a bit more active, you have the power of suggestion for now, dont worry, that boy is your son, he will grow up big and strong, and you will be proud, go with the flow, he is who he is, dont try to change him, he will be ok.

[jo90]

I understand what you are saying - I guess i'm assuming that because his brother went through the same stuff and is now a bean pole, that Harry will end up the same. However he is verging on the veggie diet (yep - i'm a veggie but my husband is a true carnivore!

[mattie]

When I was at school there where three brothers, the oldest two were over 6 ft tall and slim, the younger one age 12 was short and overweight, when he reached 18 he looked like his older brothers, the same may happen with your son.

I would see your GP who may recommend a dietician.

[jules77]

I dont think children do enough exercise nowadays. My son was a very fussy eater, but thankfully now eats very healithily, and although he was not 'thin' as a child, I think he would have been chubby/fat if he hadnt done so much exercise. He was either on his bicycle, or playing tennis and doing fitness, but a lot of his friends sat in front of playstations. It makes me mad when I see the amount of children that are taken to school by car and only live a few streets away. Can you enrol him in a football team or after school activities?

[natalie_1982]

I don't have children so won't profess to know how easy or hard it is to encourage them to eat healthier or exercise more.

I would say your son needs to exercise more and eat less cr*p, eat more fruit and veg. Try making little changes like (if you don't already) only having junk food once a week, one treat per day as long as he has his five portions of F&V, getting him some exercise equipment at home, etc.

I was overweight as a teenager and consquently was scared about having to exercise in front of people (I only got over this phobia about a year ago - I am 24 now). I think it is so important to get kids into exercise from a young age, if you don't encourage your son now soon he will be too old. Teenage boys love the thought of having their owns freeweights / bar bells, exercise benches, etc, why not get him some as a gift - tell him you will use them with him. You can pick them up second hand fairly cheaply if finance is an issue, and you can buy foldaway ones if space is a problem.

Most importantly I don't think it matters whether he is skinny or not when he is older because surely the most important thing is to be healthy? I am by no means skinny but I eat healthily and exercise a few times per week, this enables me to treat myself with extra calories without worrying too much about the strain it's putting on my body.

Being a thin person who is unhealthy is worse than being a chubby person who is fit surely?

[jo90]

Thanks cheeky chops - I take on board what you're saying but he doesn't really like food, ie meat and two veg freak him out. He doesn't have chips, chinese etc but I think he gets home from school with low blood sugar and needs to feed his face with the most convenient food he can find in the fridge. Just been to the supermarket and bought him loads of healthy food but he needs a sugar blast quickly. Any ideas? And thanks for your reply

[jules77]

so presumably you arnt at home when he gets in from school which is why he raids the fridge - if you didnt buy convenience rubbish food he wouldnt be able to eat it - if he is soooo hungry when he gets in from school, is he not having sufficient at lunchtime, does he eat breakfast? - My son was always hungry when he came in, and if I wasnt going to be at home, I left him a marmite sandwich, some fruit and a glass of milk. If he doesnt like food, meat, veg, chips or chinese, what food does he like? - pizza!

[jo90]

Thanks one and all for your answers. Firstly, I am at home when he comes back from school and always have been - he opens the fridge and tries to find something to eat and is on the verge of tears. He has a huge bowl of Kellogs Special K for breakfast,for lunch I make him a sandwich, give him an innocent soothie, a banana and a satsuma plus a cereal bar. He used to have school lunch but the q is so long and by the time they get their food there's no time to play footie (which is all they want to do at lunch time). He doesn't sit about doing nothing all day - plays footie for our village etc etc. He just seems to be very unventurous when it comes to food. I have to say I was the same at his age which is why I sympathise. Please don't think he's on his own and eating nothing but crap cos he's not. I need to have something to givbe him when he gets in from school that will give him an energy burst that will keep him, going til supper time. Someone told me soup was a good thing but, hey, this is summer and I don't think soup goes down too well in the heat. Suggestions please, but thanks to you all for your comments.

[jules77]

Milkshake and fruit?