I have a cousin, with an 8 yr. old son, who weighs around 132lbs. Extremely to much for his age. Growing up he was given mostly McDonald's Chicken nugget happy meals. And ate out regularly. More so than at home.

As a baby, when she would take him places he would gag/cough and make himself throw up. Now at 8 yrs. old he is still doing this. We can go out to eat, and he will say, I need to use the bathroom, and she will take him and he will cough and make himself throw up.

I think there is something serious going on here. But when I've said something to her, she just says its how he is, or I can fix that, I think he is doing it for attention. I say, well yea, he is! But he needs some counseling, something, at 8 yrs. old, this is far from healthy.

Does anyone have any suggestions?!?! I'm truly concerned about this child.

8 year old that weights 132 lbs! My 9 year old weighs 60 so that weight just blows my mind. If this child is throwing up after eating, there is definitely something wrong. What really worries me is that he was doing it as a baby and the fact that the mother sees nothing wrong with it. I have no suggestions for you but wanted you to know that I do agree there is something wrong. The mother needs to get the message that he needs to be seen by a doctor and this problem needs to be addressed. Have you talked with her in more detail? What about your cousin's mother or another family member getting involved? Best of luck.

Thanks for your reply. Her mother passed away a few yrs ago. I wish she were still here, believe you me, if she were, things wouldn't be like this I'm sure. I feel so bad for the boy. There really is no reason for him to be like this.

They raised him on McDonald's, enough said as to why he weighs this right? I don't think he ever tried anything except chicken nuggets.....even now, he eats chicken nuggets, chicken tenders n fries....that's about all the kid gets.

Just a few weeks ago, she and I went to a new place to eat. He kept telling her his tummy hurt, he didn't want to go, but we went anyway. Then when we got there, we didn't even get seated, and he had to go to the bathroom...to puke...Then we set down, and he had to go to the bathroom two more times. These other two times she made him go by himself....She wouldn't go.

This child is going to have some serious issues I'm afraid. And there's nothing I can do. I've told her she needs to get him to a counselor...she said ohh he's talked to one at school.....I said no...a medical one!

She doesn't seem to get it.

Thanks

I am not a parent but dealt with a very severe ed for 12 years and did every form of treatment inpatient,hospitals,outpatient. I have met a lot of people through this with all form of ed's and also have seen how family dynamics play into this and recovery. My family was supportive of my recovery but I have friends who families were not. What I feel a huge reason is because the parent or others would have to look into their own issues and that is scary for them. It will bring up a lot of uncomfortable feelings. Also it is easier to live in my child is going through a phase then to see the real problem. Unfortunatly and I do not feel families are to blame but do feel that among many other things play a role. This child is using their body instead of their voice to express themselves. Also a death can be a hard thing to feel for a child and can bring up abandonment issue,lonely,fear and regardless of an eating problem I feel should be in therapy. I think approaching this caregiver again not just with the ed issue but also with the death issue and getting into some therapy and support group.I often feel sugesting a book I don't know any about parent loss but on ed /Surving an ed for family and friends I think is very good and the website something fishy which is for suffers but also has a part for families.Sometimes when people are not completly ready this will help them see the light.I am a little late to this so sorry and usually post on the pn one but I saw this on the opening page and wanted to contribute.If I can help you can pm me, Take care

While I'll be the first to admit that my daughter ate way too many nuggets when she was younger, her favortie food in the whole world is cauliflower and she will choose veggies and fruit over candy and starchy foods (except rice....she LOVES rice).

That being said, she's 4 feet 5 inches tall, weights 65 pounds and has worn a size 8 for the last two years.

I don't think "nuggets" are the root of the problem.

But I DO think there are DEFINATE problems. Trying to change his diet will probably help. But it just may not be possible without some kind of phsycological support.

Keep pushing your sister to get help.