Your sister needs help. Really she does. Obesity isn't just about being overweight - there can be serious health risks and it needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later. Yelling at her isn't going to help any, because I get the feeling that it would possibly make your younger sister only feel worse about the whole situation. She's only 8, which is so incredibly young, so she needs help and guidance. The other thing about her being so young is that you older guys can really guide and steer her through this. You can make her breakfast in the morning, lunch and her dinner at night (I would assume that because of her young age, people are already providing at least her dinner for her?). At such a young age, obesity really is very serious and it needs dealt with. Is it possible to have her taken to a doctor? To make sure that, aside from being overweight, she's doing ok health wise? You can also ask your doctor for diet and health advice. Your mum can't just "tell her" - rules have to be enforced. Again, as she's so young, you can target the problem and have lasting effects. Do you guys eat dinner together as a family? Perhaps this would be a really good idea - eating something together as a family, something healthy, for an evening meal. This would have your sister seeing your family together and, I think, would act as something really quite positive in the family environment. If this isn't possible (as in, if your mother is working with her new job) then would it be possible for you, your younger sister and brother to eat dinner together? This would also provide your younger sister with some time when her brother ISN'T being aggressive to her. You could also try shopping together as a family (I really think it's important for the family to come back together through out all of this). Go shopping with your mum, sister and brother and encourage your mum to by healthy food. That way, if your sister is eating a lot, she'll at least be eating something semi-healthy.
Truly, I do feel sorry for your sister. It sounds like she's got a big problem here, and she clearly has a problem controlling her eating - whether this be through depression or anything else. I honestly think she would benefit from seeing a doctor - to tackle the problems behind the overeating, in order to control the problem.
Other than that, getting your sister active would also help control her weight. Is it possible for you to do any sport activity with her? I understand that I'm asking you to do a whole lot her, but it sounds like you're the only one really actively wanting to do something about your sister's problem. I think that's so lovely of you, and I think you're an amazing sister for wanting to do so. Try getting active with her, yeah? Or encourage her to be more active.
Really though, I do think it's highly important for her to see a doctor. She's very young, you're saying she's obese and can't control her eating. She NEEDS help with this - perhaps more help than you can really offer her right now. Please try and have a chat with your mum about this, yeah? This can absolutely be solved and worked on, but it's going to need the cooperation of the whole family. Please try talking to your mum about it, and suggesting a doctor. If this doesn't work, you could also try talking to your school nurse or counselor about your concerns and worries, and get advice that way.
Post edited at 5:20 pm on April 8, 2008 by amiee
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