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My son is obese and I am so responsible

lukes mummy
over 11 years ago

Hi , my little boy who is 6 and has autism is very overweight . We have had to buy him age 10-11 elasticacted school trousers. I feel awful , I know he has such an issue with food and that he only eats a handful of things but most are the wrong things, he hasn't really wanted do much through the holidays, he has been swimming a few times and just explodes if things don't go his way. I feel exhausted all the time and to be honest I give in to him very easy. I know all the things I should do , for one not buy the pigging stuff. (Crisps and chocolate biscuits) .

i suppose I just wondered if anyone who had been through the same and could give me any strategies that they had used to help their children.

I feel like a complete failure as a mum , I'm supposed to be giving him the best in life instead I'm turning him into an overweight little boy who will probably end up with health problems if I don't handle it now. His waist measures 31 inches , which shocked the hell out of me.

sorry for going on and Thankyou for reading

Parents
  • over 11 years ago

    Hi - you are not a complete failure as a mumSmile.  It can be very difficult with food issues and it's tempting to give in for a quiet life, especially if you're worn out with the holidays.  You're right that you need to reverse the trend of increasing weight so it's how best to do it.  I don't know from your post what he eats and how much so can't comment there, but I think it's a matter of subtley cutting it down so there aren't any major blowouts.  My son who's an adult now, loves his food and there are only several things he doesn't like.  His weight has to be watched so it's meant putting more veg on his plate so he gets a big enough dinner.  Buying smaller treats such as ice lollies that aren't high in calories, little ice cream tubes, snack size choc etc.  Low cal drinks.  So his diet hasn't changed dramatically, he doesn't feel he's missing out etc.  Do you know why he has meltdowns?  Changes to routine, sensory issues?  It's not easy to discover why sometime,s but if you can find out and then change things then his meltdowns may lessen and you'll feel a bit better.  Do you think exercise such as swimming is something he enjoys?  If so it can be part of his weekly routine to help with his weight/fitness.  Also, do you get enough support from his school, other agencies so you can have a break?  Try to help him lose weight little by little.  It'll take longer but should involve less upset.  It'll make you feel better as well.

Reply
  • over 11 years ago

    Hi - you are not a complete failure as a mumSmile.  It can be very difficult with food issues and it's tempting to give in for a quiet life, especially if you're worn out with the holidays.  You're right that you need to reverse the trend of increasing weight so it's how best to do it.  I don't know from your post what he eats and how much so can't comment there, but I think it's a matter of subtley cutting it down so there aren't any major blowouts.  My son who's an adult now, loves his food and there are only several things he doesn't like.  His weight has to be watched so it's meant putting more veg on his plate so he gets a big enough dinner.  Buying smaller treats such as ice lollies that aren't high in calories, little ice cream tubes, snack size choc etc.  Low cal drinks.  So his diet hasn't changed dramatically, he doesn't feel he's missing out etc.  Do you know why he has meltdowns?  Changes to routine, sensory issues?  It's not easy to discover why sometime,s but if you can find out and then change things then his meltdowns may lessen and you'll feel a bit better.  Do you think exercise such as swimming is something he enjoys?  If so it can be part of his weekly routine to help with his weight/fitness.  Also, do you get enough support from his school, other agencies so you can have a break?  Try to help him lose weight little by little.  It'll take longer but should involve less upset.  It'll make you feel better as well.

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