Help! My Brother...?

Question

is 11 years old and he weighs about 240 pounds. He knows he is fat, he just doesn't think of it as a serious problem. He has always had a weight problem, so has almost everyone on my mother's side of the family.
He eats probably about 3000 calories or more during the day, mostly from PB&J sandwichs. He is constantly gaining weight and I am terrified. For years I have tried to make it clear to him and my parents that he needs to get help before he eats himself to death, but they just don't seem to care.
He says he doesn't want to lose weight and is constantly eating junk food. I'm afraid he won't live to see his 13th birthday and I don't want to see my younger brother have to suffer through this slow, painful death.
Can you please help me, and tell me how I can convince him that he needs to lose weight, and help him do it? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

I can't throw out any food, because unlike some people, my family doesn't have enough money to buy things and immediatley throw them out. Because of his eating habits, we are in serious debt, and cheap food is all my parents can afford.

Answer 1

go out and do fun stuff that is also healthy, like bicycling...

Answer 2

He won't die before he's 13, but his growth in height will be stunted, and he's likely to develop diabetes and cardiovascular problems.

He might listen to other adults, or your parents might listen to them. Has he been to see a doctor? Can you get his teachers involved? Worst comes to worst, you can always call in Child Protective Services.

First though, instead of lecturing him, why don't you ask him about how he feels? Instead of having an agenda, why not just listen to him? Really listen to him. He may be afraid he can't lose weight, he may get teased by the kids in school (I'm sure they do). Time may also be on your side: If he starts liking girls, he might start getting in shape for them. Also, is there any possibility he was sexually assaulted as a child? He may have gained weight to make himself less attractive to an assailant: about 60% of obese people report having been molested. Don't be so sure of the answer unless you talk to him. However, if everyone on your mother's side is obese, this is less likely but not impossible.

Answer 3

i agree, this si a serious problem. you seriously need to prepare something and make some sort of presentation to your parents about this. and if they still dont seem to care, take it into your own hands and start getting rid of some junk food. maybe play a game or 2 outside with your brother for atleast an hour. like ride bikes.. play hide and seek.. basketball.. you name it. dont exactly tell him "you wont live to see your 13th birthday" cuz u really dont want him terrified. tell him that we need to be healthier cuz a few years down the road he could have a heart attack or stroke. if even that doesnt get him motivated.. be strict. hope i helped.

Answer 4

How can anywaone convince your brother that he has a problem if your parents dont agree with you.
convince your parents first that they should advise your younger bro,coz if they see him as ok you cant think it otherwise he is just a small boy,
if you convise your parent then you can start from there.
there are some healthy camp of fat kisd where they are put on a healthy diet and dont fel starves since they are not accessible to junk food.
good luck

Answer 5

There is no way you can make him lose weight if he doesn't want to. My question is where is he getting all the junk food? If your parents don't buy junk food to keep in the house he wouldn't be able to eat it. This may be nasty but have you ever though of ummmmmmmmmmmmm well disposing of some of the junk food before he can eat it?

Answer 6

This is a tough situation. Being 11 years old means that it is up to his parents to ensure that he is developing healthy habits. If they are allowing him to engage in behavior (such as eating) that is damaging his health, that can be interpreted as child abuse. It may be helpful to try to contact Child Protective Services about this issue if his parents refuse to help him.

He is too young to understand the long-term damages of what he is doing to himself. If his parents refuse to do it, he is in a very bad situaion and needs help from outside your family.

I hope all turns out well.

Answer 7

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