Answer:

Being overweight or obese during puberty, especially to the degree your son is experiencing, can negatively impact mental health. At this sensitive age, children are vulnerable to teasing and bullying. When this persists, they tend to withdraw, lose confidence, avoid interaction, and gradually retreat from group activities and social relationships.

Recurring negative emotions can lead to more severe psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, or eating disorders. Some children turn to food as a coping mechanism for stress, known as emotional eating. They eat because of their feelings, not hunger. This not only leads to continuous weight gain but can also create a vicious cycle: sadness leads to eating, eating leads to weight gain, and weight gain leads to further self-consciousness and sadness.

In the long term, without proper support, psychological distress can affect academic performance, social adaptation, and quality of life in adulthood.

Doctor Duong advises a patient. Illustrative photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Doctor Duong advises a patient. Illustrative photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Avoid pressuring your son to lose weight. Instead, offer emotional support, understand what he's going through, and refrain from criticism or pressure. Weight loss for adolescents is a long journey, and parental encouragement is crucial to prevent discouragement. A common parental mistake is setting unrealistically high expectations for rapid results or turning weight loss into a stressful confrontation. This can exhaust and pressure the child, leading to negative reactions or passive resistance.

Rather than applying pressure, parents should collaborate with their child to create a positive and healthy living environment. For instance, instead of saying "you have to eat less," work together to create a nutritious meal plan and exercise routine. Help your son set specific, achievable goals, such as losing 1-2 kg in a month, and encourage him to persevere.

Pham Van Duong, Master, Doctor

Department of General Internal Medicine

Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi