7 year old child is obese

LegacyUser

My brother is obese. No denying it at all. He can't even zip his jacket up, no pants fit him and his bowel movements aren't always the best.

My mother is in denial. No matter how many times I've tried to intervene, nothing worked. She argues that "he doesn't exercise enough" when she gives him a large bread roll as a snack while he sits down in front of the computer for the. whole. day. She herself is obese with the worst habits you can think of.

His breakfast is chocolate on weekends, and biscuit bars on school days. His dinner is carrots and chicken. His dessert is a few biscuits.

He isn't allowed out to play because my mother is wrapping him in cotton wool and won't let him out because he may get "hit by a car" (we live in an estate).

**

I feel so guilty because no matter what I do to speak to her, NOTHING gets done.

I've tried everything I can think of. Sit downs, heart to hearts, physical play, turning the computer off but it's like groundhog day - I come back the next day and he is back to the computer living his non-existant life.

It is causing me to get severely depressed because I see his social life is non-existant, his health is deteriorating (he is whiter than white with black bags under his eyes), his teeth are f*cked and I think he may be on the autistic spectrum.

Sorry for this, but I had to rant. I had to get it off of my chest.

LegacyUser

tough situation to be in op, I'm not sure how much you can do unfortunately

Have you suggested you yourself setting aside some time and going for a little walk with him a few evenings a week or at the weekend? I know you shouldn't have to but apart from that I can't think what else practically you can do

Is his dad in the picture, if so what are his views on the situation?

Although if your brother is genuinely in bad health, dangerously overweight, decaying teeth, malnourished, locked inside all day then perhaps its time to put a call into social services? Tbh you wouldn't accept leaving an animal in those conditions let alone a child.

LegacyUser

It could be worth trying to get her to bring him to the GP, they'll be able to show her charts and centiles and where he falls to your Mum so at least then it is objective advice rather than coming from you, perhaps they could help her as well and she could work with him on it, but you probably do need a health professional to help you when it sounds like you've done everything you can. If you can't get her to go to the GP with him, maybe trying calling down to them and asking what you should do, or check online if there is any resource, just had a look there and there seems to be an Irish site called W82GO with links on it for info.

The_Conductor

How about offering to bring him to outdoor playgrounds- or to swimming lessons or something similar? It could be kill two birds with the one stone? Sell it to your mum as a plus for her- she gets a break and gets both of you out of her hair for a little while. You could also try a little cooking- most children like a nicely flavoured broth- its nutritious- but not very calorific- and you could make a deal of eating fruit in front of him- and offer to let him try- it works every time.

It doesn't take a lot of effort to make a difference.......?

Cuddlesworth

The_Conductor wrote: »

How about offering to bring him to outdoor playgrounds- or to swimming lessons or something similar? It could be kill two birds with the one stone? Sell it to your mum as a plus for her- she gets a break and gets both of you out of her hair for a little while. You could also try a little cooking- most children like a nicely flavoured broth- its nutritious- but not very calorific- and you could make a deal of eating fruit in front of him- and offer to let him try- it works every time.

It doesn't take a lot of effort to make a difference.......?

Obese at any age is 90% diet and 10% exercise. As long as he is pumped full of calorie dense sugary foods it will be next to impossible to exercise it out of him.

I think the problem starts and ends with the mother.

Sleepless and Manic

What height is he? And do you know how much he weighs?

zoobizoo

Bring him to your family GP and get the doctor to contact your mother with your and their concerns.

ABajaninCork

OP - are you due for a dental check-up soon? Perhaps you could offer to take your brother along too? Same thing with the doctor's - the next time you go, maybe make an appointment for your brother as well. Of course, this is with your mother's agreement. Hopefully...

TimeToShine

As said above exercise will do sweet FA, this is a diet problem. The mother is to blame and a stern word needs to be had and if that fails, and the symptoms are as the OP says, social services.