PREVENTING CHILDHOOD OBESITY!!.

Don't let him know that you think that you're fat.
The kid probably looks up to you and will emulate your behavior.
It's almost flattery- but negative.

Tell him how you're beautiful, and YOU'RE beautiful at no matter what size.
And that he is perfect the way he is.

Don't be like, "You're perfect, but I'M fat."

In fact, every time he mentions it, spin into something more positive. Poor little guy.
Self esteem really destroys people.

I think the worst thing you can do is put him on a diet, or make it known that you're changing his eating habits to help him lose weight. Instead just talk about healthy changes as a family, how you're eating more healthily to make your body work better, and maybe try to nudge him towards those changes too if you see him choosing a less healthy snack. Also, encourage him to get moving by inviting him to the park, into the garden to play, etc, even a game of hide and seek in the house gets him moving.

I do all this with my girls as I have had the same issues as you from an early age, but am very careful never to mention weight, losing weight, or to show them that I'm measuring portions, or to moan about not being able to eat unhealthy foods. I just munch down on those apples and get them out on their bikes - "come on, it's fun", rather than, "we'd better do this it will help us lose weight"

Just lead him in the right direction in a positive way! I don't think there is anything wrong with teaching a child how to eat and be healthy.

Also, if there is any activities or sports you could do together, it might help to teach him to stay active.

I know he's only 8, so I'm sure you can do all of this without forcing it down his throat, so to speak. It's all about setting a positive example and starting good habits early!

My daughter is 10, she never wants to do much. Her Dad came from a overweight family that eats for fun. I am not a sports person, but I keep putting her in sports as long as I can. One ends and I find another. Because I know we aren't as active as we need to be for her at home, and she has no siblings now that her older half-siblings are in their 20's. Since her age is getting very copetative now, I've gone to swimming, a more of an individual success sport for the summer. The last basketball and soccer I can probably get her in was this year, because my town they get really fanatical and pushy beyond the commitment I can do.
They seriously travel to different towns and put the kids in all kinds of sport camps, and are very high stress by 10 yrs old. I'm trying to keep it fun and lifetime relevant.

We got bikes last year and hopefully with our new activity level as parents we can try to be better active parents. But kids do what the parents do! Setting an example takes a lot of effort these days! Kids don't run outside the whole day like in the older days, and exercise themselves. The big sister can be a huge influence. You can maybe take him to some of these practices and do active days with him. Cooking healthy and learning what's positive: healthy eating, not restricted eating, for strong growing body. Activity for strong tall man he will be, not exercise to keep from being fat.

My son always had a big belly compared to other kids. The rest of him was stick skinny. It really bothered him and some of his coaches made comments to him too. I stopped buying the snack stuff he ate too much of and we started moving more. Then he had a growth spurt and now he's in skinny jeans.

He is very aware of his size. My job is to provide healthy food and motivate him to keep moving.

My daughters 10 yr old friends are already talking about - not eating- as a way to lose weight. This scares me. I try to emphasize healthy eating, and wanting to feed muscle properly to grow. Apparently the kids are pretty aware very young, and getting the wrong message. So I'm DEFINATELY talking about it. Not brushing over it.

Include him in your 'fun' weight loss activities! Its great bonding time and healthy for both of you

I'll just say that I have complete understanding for your brother. When I was 8, I weighed 108 lbs (found out in front of all the kids in my PE class one day) and was about 4 ft tall as well. I started looking into dieting when I was 12 and weighed 172 lbs. It's so difficult to help when you aren't the one buying the foods or cooking. I can remember even today what we used to have for dinner all the time and I cringe at how crappy it was. But, it was what my mom could put on the table fast while she worked 2 jobs (one being a teacher) and my dad having his own business.

He's already having self-esteem issues it sounds like. I was teased and teased while in elementary school and middle school - my weight never changed after 12 years old, so I grew into my weight and didn't look as awkward when I was in high school, although I was still unhealthy. I would definitely include him with you in cardio workouts - maybe try the Couch to 5K program and sign you both up for a 5K this spring. Great bonding and it will teach him that he can do something and finish it (even if he has to walk part of the 5K) and give him a needed self-esteem boost. Most of all, let him know that you are there for him and he can come and talk to you about what's going on. Kids can be cruel and I never shared with my family the torment I went through at school (perhaps because I was just told growing up to suck in my stomach). I wish I had someone growing up who cares as much as you do. {hugs}