Dear HealthCastle.Com, I am 19 and I have a 12 year old brother--with whom I am very close--who is probably about 10-15 pounds overweight. He is by no means "fat" or "obese", but I can easily see him getting to that point if he doesn't change his unhealthy ways. I am setting a good example for him by showing him how to eat well but there are times that he lets loose and eats lots of buttery popcorn or some random dessert that is laying around.

So, I have a solution...I think. Since he is 12, is it possible that if he slightly changes his diet to something more healthy that he can grow into a healthy frame through a growth spurt and increased metabolism? I don't want to force some nazi eating and exercise routine on a 12 year old boy..but I think that something needs to be done with this problem. I care very much for him and I don't want him to have to go through the hell I went through to lose 30 pounds to be where I should be

By the way I am 6'8" and he is going to be quite tall as well so that might add to some sort of "stretching out equation".

Thanks a lot, and the site is brilliant-GREAT JOB

Hi,
Your brother is very lucky to have such a caring sister like you. I can see that you are worried and troubled by his condition.
Yes, It is never too late to gradually change his diet into something more healthy. Have you ever thought of starting a food diary of your brother? Food diary includes type and quantity of food eaten through out the day. Maybe you can try recording for one week, including weekends? In that way it would be easier to track down what he eats and alter from there.
How active is he? How long does he spend time on television, computer games per day? Studies have shown that school children should cut down their tv viewing to 1-2hours per day and be more physically active to expend those extra calories consumed.
I hope it helps:)

Hi

First of all I would a recommend a healthy balanced diet with regular exercise but there may be extra things you can do.

I have a daughter who suffers from hyperactivity. A friend recommended I try omega-3 supplements to help calm her mood swings.

After a couple of months my daughter's mental health state has improved tremendously and she has undisturbed nights sleep now.

My husband and I are back together and we feel a lot calmer as a family. However, we all need to take better care of ourselves as well as our loved ones - after all we cannot help them if we aren't here can we?

Many Thanks
Paula

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