Do you think it is unusual for an 11 yo to not eat any kind of fish, fresh veggies (except cucumbers), italian

Question

sausage, mac n cheese or most cooked veggies? All he will eat is chicken fingers, fries, pizza, plain burgers, waffles, spaghetti and a few other things. This boy is about 4" 10" and weighs about 160 and wears a 46 belt. His growth plates in his feet keep separating from his weight. His doc told him if he continues the way he is going, he will not live to see 40. What should his mom do? (It isn't me by the way.)

Answer 1

Absolutely, its unusual. What is also unusual is that the child's doctor hasn't intervened and contacted child services. The parent needs to learn that she is the one responsible for what goes into the child's mouth. He doesn't have to like it. But, he does have to eat properly. The mother needs to understand that she is KILLING her child!!

Answer 2

It's not unusual, but neither is it the right thing.   In any case, it's not so much WHAT he's eating, but how much of it.  If he's devouring huge quantities of these foods, he's going to gain weight.  But even if he switched over to some of the items on your list, he would still continue to gain weight if he ate them to excess (except the veggies).

Since he is only 11 years old, he still has a lot of growing left to do.  The best thing his mom can do for him at this point is to help him MAINTAIN his current weight until he "grows into" it.  A weight of 160 pounds is not bad for an adult who is 5'9 or so.  Eventually, he will probably attain this height.

His mom could probably help him get a handle on this by continuing to allow him his favorite foods, but cut back on the portions (i.e. a serving of chicken fingers is FOUR fingers, not twelve!).    He may not lose weight, but eventually he will stop gaining, as he continues to grow.  And ultimately, he will catch up to his weight and be fine.

Incidentally, some of the things he IS eating are more healthy than some of the items you mentioned.  Spaghetti is healthier and lower in calories than mac and cheese, and Italian sausages are loaded with fat and calories...he's better off with a plain burger.

Answer 3

That mother needs to hear about a family in the UK that was told that if their children don't lose weight they could go to foster care.  If she is not making any effort to get her son healthy she can be found guilty of neglectful supervision or child abuse.  It is no fun having your child taken away.  She needs to push him to eat healthier.

Answer 4

don't let him eat what he wants and if he refuses to eat anything new, don't feed him if he won't eat what is on his plate. everyday try to see that he runs (or walks) for 30 minutes. you should start to feel the difference in him. if he refuses, try and make rules saying you can't have this, his or this. also make sure he has no access to money so he doesn't secretly order or buys junk food. all together, try starting a healthier life!

hoped i helped!

Answer 5

My goodness something drastic needs to be done.  I would enrol him in a camp for overweight kids and try and get him to shed some weight and learn proper eating habits.

Answer 6

Tell that kids' mom to include healthy things in his diet and if he eats them, he gets a small amount of chocolate (decreasing it until he loves vegetables) or a trip to the cinema etc

bribing them is sometimes the only answer and take it from there

Answer 7

When, as parents, did we abdicate?  My children don't know what's good for them, it's up to me to show them.  And I don't take no for an answer.

Answer 8

The mother should be put out of custody for a while, or she should support her son to go on a special diet program for overweight kids.

Something must have gone wrong in the raising of this boy, and I do not question the mother's love for her son but this is no situation for a child to grow up in.

Answer 9

My kids eat what is put in front of them, whether they like the smell or not.  If they don't eat what is in front of them they don't eat period.  There are no golden arches over my house and my motto is NOT "Have it your way".  

This child's mother needs to set rules when it comes to her child's eating.  Stop ALLOWING him to set the rules.  She is killing her son, frankly I think CPS should step in and remove him until she can get a backbone.

Answer 10

She needs to be strong and only provide healthy food and get rid of any junk food thats in the house he'll eat when he's hungery he won't let himself starve

Answer 11

If it all has affected this childs health to that point and the mother still refuses to intervene then the doctor or another adult needs to make a phone call to child protective services.  This child is being abused because his mother is refusing to be an adult and put his medical welfare above his wants.  So he has a sensitive nose tell him to hold it and eat.  If you give the child a choice of french fries or salad most of them will chose the fries.  I am sure this mother wouldn't ask her son if he wanted to play with a loaded gun so why allow him to play with his health.